Hi y’all!

I am super excited to share my thoughts on the third book in the Penderwicks series: The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall. I am lately obsessed with this series. I feel like all I do is rave about them but seriously, that’s all I can do. They are all so good!

Check out my reviews of The Penderwicks and The Penderwicks on Gardam Street.

I can’t help but love every single Penderwick novel I can get my hands on. This one was just as engaging and surprising as the first two.

Initial Thoughts:

• At first, I was worried that the plot would just be a rehash of book #2 but with Aunt Clare and their new neighbor. Books in a series that simply redo the same plot several times over are a pet peeve of mine. This is not a series like that. Jeanne Birdsall shattered my expectations and completely surprised me with her twists and turns! This is not just another book with the same plot. This is a new, exciting story with the same now beloved characters. How I love the Penderwicks!
• I immediately put myself on a wait list for books 4 & 5 at my library after finishing this one. And there was a decent list ahead of me! I’m tempted to just buy the full series so I can finish it sooner 😉
• Read these books. You’re welcome.

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall finds the Penderwick sisters back on an adventurous summer vacation with Jeffrey. Goodreads summarizes, “When summer comes around, it’s off to the beach for Rosalind . . . and off to Maine with Aunt Claire for the rest of the Penderwick girls, as well as their old friend, Jeffrey. That leaves Skye as OAP (oldest available Penderwick)—a terrifying notion for all, but for Skye especially. Things look good as they settle into their cozy cottage, with a rocky shore, enthusiastic seagulls, a just-right corner store, and a charming next-door neighbor.  But can Skye hold it together long enough to figure out Rosalind’s directions about not letting Batty explode?  Will Jane’s Love Survey come to a tragic conclusion after she meets the alluring Dominic? Is Batty—contrary to all accepted wisdom—the only Penderwick capable of carrying a tune?  And will Jeffrey be able to keep peace between the girls . . . these girls who are his second, and most heartfelt, family? It’s a rollicking ride as the Penderwicks continue their unforgettable adventures in a story filled with laughs and joyful tears!”

“The girls had never been apart for an entire two weeks, and though all of them were nervous about it, the one going off on her own was the most nervous. This was the oldest, thirteen-year-old Rosalind, and she was having a terrible time accepting that her sisters could survive without her.”

This one was different with Rosalind away from the other sisters for the summer vacation. At first, I didn’t want to like that; I missed Rosalind just like the other sisters do. But I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved Skye and Jane and Batty’s voices getting more time. Skye was probably my favorite because she grew so much and was a bit ridiculous as the OAP. Jane felt so much older in this novel. Sometimes, she almost seemed too old especially with her “falling in love” and her romance obsession. But then I remembered what I was like as a 12 year old girl. Ha! After that, she mostly just made me laugh. Batty is so much fun in this novel. She becomes a girl instead of the baby in this novel. I love her newfound love of music and her golf ball sale. 

By far, my favorite character in this book is Jeffrey. I LOVE JEFFREY SO MUCH!!  If I had one qualm about book 2, it’s that Jeffrey is on the fringe. We only hear about him second hand without actually having him with the Penderwicks. So glad to have him front and center for this one. He is the glue that keeps the Penderwick sisters together in this novel. He is kind to Batty, patient with Jane, and the perfect balance of firm and supportive to Skye. And I love everything the ending gives to him!

I was a bit disappointed not to get much of Mr. Penderwick or Rosalind in this novel. Since the girls go with Aunt Claire on vacation, we miss both these steady, humorous voices in the majority of the novel. But perhaps that just makes us appreciate them more when they return in the next novel (which I’m pretty sure they do). 

The Penderwick family vacations make me feel nostalgic. They are so easy to relate to because they aren’t perfect. The sisters fight, make some seriously hilarious mistakes, and even get hurt. Things don’t go according to plan. And it’s a miracle that more doesn’t go wrong. But in the end, they have a memorable vacation with more good than bad. These stories make me happy. They just make me feel good. I feel like I’m reading about my family and friends. The Penderwicks feel like family.

I love the Penderwick sisters. I love their adventures. I love these books!!

Which is your favorite Penderwick novel?