The Penderwicks in Spring (The Penderwicks #4)

by Jeanne Birdsall (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: The Penderwicks
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.
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ALA/Booklist

Starred Review
chock full of all the qualities fans love (humor, heart, and the honest exploration of emotions...[t]he Penderwicks have a strong bench, so, happily, expect more.

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

With the addition of baby sister Lydia, the Penderwicks' blended family returns with all the big-family drama and joys that fans have come to expect. In this fourth installment, musically inclined fifth-grader Batty is delighted to learn that her school's dull music teacher has been replaced by the more appealing Mrs. Grunfeld; better still, the new teacher thinks Batty has a "rare and beautiful" voice. Inspired, Batty earns money for singing lessons by walking two unusual neighborhood dogs, a job that makes her yearn for her own, recently deceased dog. After overhearing a family secret, she starts to believe that she was responsible for the death of her mother, who passed away when Batty was a baby. It takes a lot of detective work from her older sisters, parents, and neighbors to figure out why Batty is so blue, but in true Penderwick fashion, misunderstandings are soon righted. The warmth and compassion of the Penderwick family comes through in every page of this slice-of-life novel, healing emotional bruises and reassuring readers that most problems can be overcome. Ages 8-12. Agent: Barbara S. Kouts. (Mar.)

Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7--The Penderwick family is back in the fourth book of Birdsall's popular series. With the addition of younger sister Lydia and the recent death of beloved dog Hound, the cast of characters has changed a bit. Though told from the perspectives of Batty and Ben--the younger brother added to the clan in The Penderwicks on Gardam Street (Knopf, 2008)--this is truly Batty's story. Rosalind is in college, and Skye and Jane are both in high school. In this volume, Batty discovers that she has a talent for singing, which she keeps a secret from the rest of her family so that she can plan a Grand Birthday Concert. Jeffrey, their family friend, will be visiting for Skye's birthday, and Batty wants to ask him to be her mentore. She also takes on a job walking dogs to pay for voice lessons. She's conflicted about this because she believes that it was her fault that Hound died and she doesn't want to "curse" any more dogs. Fans of the series may find the time jump jarring--Batty, who was only four during the first book, is now 10--and the lack of OPS (Older Penderwick Sisters) dismaying. Throughout the series, Birdsall has demonstrated considerable skill at crafting a modern classic, merging modern-day wit with an old-fashioned charm. Birdsall is a master at making the everyday exciting. VERDICT This latest addition to the beloved series ends on a satisfying note, and readers will eagerly await the final book.--Jessica Ko, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 
Jeanne Birdsall
Jeanne Birdsall lives in Northampton, Massachusetts, with her husband and a large assortment of animals. "The Penderwicks on Gardam Street "is her second novel.

"From the Trade Paperback edition."

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780375870774
Lexile Measure
880
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication date
March 24, 2015
Series
The Penderwicks
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV013070 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Siblings
Library of Congress categories
Families
Family life
JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Friendship
Massachusetts
Single-parent families
JUVENILE FICTION / Family / General (see also
JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Siblings
Birthdays
Money-making projects for children
Moneymaking projects
Singing
Surprise

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