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The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy Audiobook
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(4.00) - 13,362 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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. This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday on the grounds of a beautiful estate called Arundel. Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of Arundel’s sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. But the best discovery of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel’s owner, who quickly proves to be the perfect companion for their adventures. The icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is not as pleased with the Penderwicks as Jeffrey is, though, and warns the new friends to stay out of trouble. Which, of course, they will—won’t they? One thing’s for sure: it will be a summer the Penderwicks will never forget. Deliciously nostalgic and quaintly witty, this is a story as breezy and carefree as a summer day.
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"I read this aloud to my first-grade daughter, and I loved it as much as she did... "Don't stop yet, Mommy, I want to know what happens next!" Music to my ears. It was a privilege to be there to watch my little-girl's eyes opened to the possibilities of good story, engaging characters, and descriptive writing."
— Rebecca (5 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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Winner of the 2005 National Book Award for Young People's Literature
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One of the 2005 Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books for Children
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A 2005 School Library Journal Best Book
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A 2005 Booklist Editors’ Choice for Children
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A 2005 Publishers Weekly Best Book for Children
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A 2006 ALA Notable Book for Children
The Penderwicks Listener Reviews
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Pamela Sorensen, 1/15/2021
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" We listened to this on a vacation trip in the car. The kids and I listened together and we both enjoyed the story. The relationship between the kids and the boy at the house was so sweet. I cried at the end. "
— Book, 2/16/2014 -
" Cute story, but not my favorite. Part of it is that I listened to it on tape and there were parts I just wanted to go faster. :) "
— Bekah, 1/29/2014 -
" Family book club selection for November 2009 - Mom's recommendation. "
— Kathryne, 1/22/2014 -
" Such a good book! Children's lit - each chapter a new adventure from their summer vacation. Reminded me slightly of Mrs. Piggle Wiggle but not a "Learn Lessons" kind of book. Just interesting characters and fun little vacation days. "
— Kerry, 1/9/2014 -
" I didn't love this book, but my kids did (I read it aloud to them). I kept expecting the bad guys to have some redeeming qualities in the end. Nope: first impressions basically stand through the end of the book. Still, it was fun. "
— Jamie, 1/4/2014 -
" A must read! It creates a sense of nostalgia and a longing for your childhood. "
— Carol, 12/14/2013 -
" A wonderful recommendation for girls who like Ivy and Bean, Little Women, Little House books, Clementine, etc. "
— Lia, 10/17/2013 -
" we listened to this on CD during all our spring-break driving around, kept my 3, 6, and 9 year old (and me) interested the whole time. sweet and fun. "
— Thayer, 5/18/2013 -
" It was just delightful! Made me laugh, made me tear up. I loved all the sisters, especially Skye and Jane. I can't wait to read the next two books in the series. "
— Jenny, 5/15/2013 -
" It was the most adorable story of this Family. "
— Enola, 5/3/2013 -
" REALLY GOOD BOOK WITH AND AWESOME STORY AND CORKY GIRL, JUST GREAT! "
— Ally, 4/12/2013 -
" Nice clean sweet book but I was kind of glad when I was finished. "
— Beth, 11/28/2012 -
" Light, funny, full of sunshine. "
— Yessica, 6/29/2012 -
" A great story of four very independent, but very loving and loyal sisters! "
— Lori, 6/19/2012 -
" I love this book so much! I have it 8 times it is the best book ever "
— Charlotte, 4/20/2012 -
" Patti... did you read this yet? LOL "
— Joanna, 3/29/2012 -
" Very sweet. A wide range of girls can enjoy this as a read-aloud because the four sisters have a wide range of ages and personalities. Plus, there's the boy. :) "
— Amy, 3/28/2012 -
" Read out loud with the boys. I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. I think my expectations were too high. "
— Kathryn, 1/9/2012 -
" great little summer read with a happy ending. "
— Amanda, 10/17/2011 -
" This is a delightful little book. I particularly fell in love with Batty and Hound. "
— moroccanadian, 9/21/2011 -
" It probably would have been more enjoyable if I hadn't gotten confused and read the third book in the series first. It ruined a lot of things about this one. "
— Deidra, 8/7/2011 -
" Really good for 4th and 5th graders who feel like they are reading below there grade level. "
— Ariana, 8/3/2011 -
" I trult enjoyed the characters in this book. Though there were 4 daughters, the author gave them such individual personalities that I never confused them. It was a great book to read aloud to my son and my daughter enjoyed reading it on her own. "
— Melanie, 6/30/2011 -
" AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and funny "
— Chimpy, 6/10/2011 -
" Cute, quick read with that Little Women feel. Will for sure be reading the other ones. "
— Wendy, 6/1/2011 -
" I read this book a long time ago, and I simply could not get enough of it. I loved the characters, even though now they might appear to be somewhat fake, and their love for their family. I loved the subtle inclusion of a romance. I simply could not put this book down. "
— Sam, 5/21/2011 -
" I read this and then recommended it to Vic & Joseph. This was not their absolute favorite but still it was read start to finish. The book was written with intentioanl old fashioned charm, just as I remember from my own childhood. Can we really argue w a National Book Award Winner?z "
— Amy, 5/19/2011 -
" I love this book! It is the first Penderwick book out of the currently adding series. "
— Mackenzie, 5/15/2011 -
" Read for the Hawthorne Library. Very good. "
— Cindy, 5/14/2011 -
" Each of several child characters solved a problem, learned something about life, or grew in some way. Believable and enjoyable. "
— Emily, 5/14/2011 -
" This was a fun book. As I was reading, I felt like it was a cross between Little Women and the Secret Garden. "
— Sharon, 5/10/2011 -
" This book was well-written, interesting, and original. These are pretty much my only requirements for young adult fiction, but in addition the characters were lovable and concerned with virtue. I guess there's something to be said for reading award-winners. "
— Keri, 5/10/2011
About Jeanne Birdsall
Jeanne Birdsall promised herself when she was young that she would be a writer someday so that she could write books for children to discover and enjoy, just as she did at her local library. She is the author of The Penderwicks, which won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, as well as more books in the Penderwicks series and two picture books.
About Susan Denaker
Susan Denaker is an actress and Earphones Award–winning narrator. Her extensive theater credits include numerous plays in the West End of London, national tours, many English rep companies, including a season with Alan Ayckbourn’s company in Scarborough. In the US, she has appeared in Our Town and Sweet Bird of Youth at the La Jolla Playhouse and Breaking Legs at the Westport Playhouse.