Monday, April 27, 2015

MMGM: Pendewicks in Spring



There’s quite a few sequels to great MG series coming out this spring, which I am excited about, but I could hardly contain my excitement about having a new Penderwick novel in my hands. Reading one of these books is like dipping into a Jane Austen novel or  relaxing in a cozy armchair with a nice pot of tea nearby.

And I sure needed a nice, cozy pot of reading tea the week I read this.

Here is the synopsis (from Amazon):

With over one million copies sold, this series of modern classics about the charming Penderwick family, from National Book Award winner and New York Times bestseller Jeanne Birdsall, is perfect for fans of Noel Streatfeild and Edward Eager.

Springtime is finally arriving on Gardam Street, and there are surprises in store for each member of the family.

Some surprises are just wonderful, like neighbor Nick Geiger coming home from war. And some are ridiculous, like Batty’s new dog-walking business. Batty is saving up her dog-walking money for an extra-special surprise for her family, which she plans to present on her upcoming birthday. But when some unwelcome surprises make themselves known, the best-laid plans fall apart.

Filled with all the heart, hilarity, and charm that has come to define this beloved clan, The Penderwicks in Spring is about fun and family and friends (and dogs), and what happens when you bring what's hidden into the bright light of the spring sun.

What I loved:

           1. We finally get to read a Penderwick novel that’s almost entirely from Batty’s point of view. In the earlier novels, she was too young to play much of a part in the story, but now at eleven, she’s the center of the plot. I think she’s my favorite character of the four sisters. I could relate to her awkwardness and shyness. 

      2. A book that celebrates the ordinary!  In a world where most MG books are either quiet issue books or fast-paced fantasies, it was refreshing to read a character-driven book where the stakes were more ordinary: starting a dog-walking business to earn money for music lessons, overcoming the loss of a beloved pet, family secrets. If you are writer who writes "quiet" books, Birdsall is one to study for how to make these ordinary events compelling.

      3. Resolution of questions brought up in Book 1. I loved how the main plot in Book 4 answered a question I’ve had since the first book. It’s a sign of a talented writer who can carry a plot thread through an entire series.

      4.  An eleven year old girl who isn’t interested in romance. Although there’s a fun subplot about her sisters’ romantic intrigues, Batty herself isn’t interested in boys or romance, just having friends who are boys. This was so refreshing.

      5. A family you’d love to have for your own. From their yearly traditional homemade birthday cakes to their MOPS (Meeting of Penderwick Siblings) to supportive parents who quote Latin, this is one family I enjoy spending time with. It reminds me of the books I loved as a kid: books by Maude Lovelance and L.M. Montgomery.  Yet the Penderwicks still feels modern, with each of the girls having strong dreams and goals, and the parents following their own as well.

If you’d love the previous books in the Penderwick series, you will enjoy PENDERWICKS IN SPRING. This, by far, is my most favorite book in this series. I hear the fifth and final book is in the works.

I’ve always found it inspiring that Birdsall’s goal was to write the books she loved to read as a child. As she says in this interview, she wrote against the trend and was surprised that "anyone liked it." (Her first book won the National Book Award.) A reminder that writing from the heart resonates with readers.

Have you read any modern books that reminded you of childhood favorites?

If you're looking for Marvelous Middle Grade suggestions, check out Shannon Messenger's blog.




13 comments:

  1. Glad you kept up with the series. I really enjoyed book 1, but haven't gone farther in the series. This sounds really good. I like stories about the more ordinary parts of life.

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  2. This sounds like a good book! Thanks for the review! :-)

    ~Cindy

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  3. This sounds like a good book! Thanks for the review! :-)

    ~Cindy

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  4. I've heard of the series but sadly have never had the time to begin reading. Your review made me think it was time to take care of that omission. I enjoy books not rampant with one crisis after another. Current books that do that for me are ones by Rebecca Stead. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. I haven't read this series but this one sounds so much fun maybe I'll have to try it!

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  6. I'm sorry you had a bad week the week you read this, but how nice that this book helped you get through it. I loved the first three Penderwicks books (and Batty's my favorite character!) so I'm sure I'll love this too. These books took me right back to my childhood. Have you read her picture books? They're also wonderful.

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  7. Afraid I've never heard of the series.

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  8. This sounds so fun :). I've heard of the Penderwicks yet never read them, so thanks for the nudge. I'll be reading this series for sure!

    ~Paige

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  9. Love the Penderwicks! It's still not here at our library :( Maybe it's time to make a request.

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  10. I have only read the first book in the series and that was quite awhile ago. Sounds like it's time to revisit the Penderwicks. Thanks for the review.

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  11. WHAT THIS HAPPENED I MUST READ IT. Thank you for the review!

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  12. I either haven't read the first one, or read it a reeeally long time ago and have since mixed up the name. Either way, I think it's time for a revisit! Thx for the recommend, these sound like just the books I need!

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  13. This sounds like a wonderful series. I haven't read any of the books yet, but now I want to. The family sounds great. And I love it that someone writing against the trend won a National Book Award.

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