• The Penderwicks

  • A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
  • By: Jeanne Birdsall
  • Narrated by: Susan Denaker
  • Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,305 ratings)

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The Penderwicks  By  cover art

The Penderwicks

By: Jeanne Birdsall
Narrated by: Susan Denaker
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Publisher's summary

ALA Notable Children's Book

Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choice

Child Magazine Best Book of the Year

Hawaii Nene Master List

Kentucky Bluegrass Master List

Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

Maine Student Book Master List

National Book Award

Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year

Quill Award

Rhode Island Children's Book Award

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fischer Book Master List

Virginia Young Readers Program Master List

With more than one million copies sold, this series of modern classics about the charming Penderwick family from National Book Award winner and New York Times best seller 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.

©2005 Jeanne Birdsall

Critic reviews

“Problems are solved and lessons learned in this wonderful, humorous book that features characters whom readers will immediately love, as well as a superb writing style. Bring on more of the Penderwicks!”—School and Library Journal, starred

What listeners say about The Penderwicks

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    1,848
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Story
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  • 3 Stars
    52
  • 2 Stars
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  • Overall
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Worth a Chance

I took a chance on a potentially good story of a family made up of four girls...so myself and three boys listened to and were completely entertained. Mr. Penderwick is a good father to a highly intelligent and rambunctious group of daughters.

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13 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

SO good!

Such a sweet story! I loved it. As a mom of 3 girls it was just nice to listen to the daily lives of other little girls. The love for their Dsd, their dog, their Mom...❤ Highly recommend this one.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

The story line is wonderful and charming, the characters are fascinating and provocative. I love this book and am excited to share it with others, I only have one complaint in the middle the story skips as it would do if it was on tape or disc. Jean Birdsall has truly woven a tapestry of words and Susan Denaker is the perfect narrator the characters are wonderful and I can’t wait to see what these sisters do next.


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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

classic children's novel about summer vacation

good for girls age 8-12, does involve an innocent first crush which might be confusing to 7-9 year olds but my daughter loved the rest so much it was worth it

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Series

My girls are 9 and almost 7. They are absolutely loving these audio books. We listen in the car as we do a lot of driving and they beg to keep listening when we get home and on the weekends. We've listened to a lot of audio books and I highly recommend this series. Love the story and the narration.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Story For All Ages :)

Wonderful & sweet story with an interesting plot that keeps you listening and laughing. I work from home and love to listen to books on tapes while I design. I love the classics and have listened to Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, L.M. Montgomery and many others over and over again. I felt like listening to something I've never heard before, and am so glad I stumbled across this series! If you love Louisa May Alcott's books, Eight Cousins, Little Women, Little Men, & An Old Fashioned Girl, You'll definitely LOVE this one! Very well written by the author, and well read by the narrator. 😊💕

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great book

it was a great book. all 3 girls enjoyed it. we are looking forward to the next one.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Read this glowing Review!

I love the story!!! It was great!!! And I loved it !!! And wow! And did I mention I loved it?
-AJ

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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  • DJ
  • 04-02-20

Great 👍🏻

Wonderful Overall, Performance,and Story
The voices talk
I loved the book so very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fun for the whole family

We listened to this with our sons (9 and 5) on a family trip, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the story and narration.

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