the penderwicks at point mouette by jeanne birdsall

The timing is perfect: Rosalind will be home from college, Skye and Jane will put their bothersome teenage worries aside to celebrate, and Jeffrey, honorary Penderwick and Batty’s musical mentore, will be visiting from Boston. 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. And some are ridiculous, like Batty’s new dog-walking business, which has resulted in her spending an inordinate amount of time with Duchess, a very fat dachshund, and Cilantro, a wrinkled shar-pei with a bark like a lovelorn tuba.

Some surprises are just wonderful, like Nick Geiger coming home from war. The brood has grown to six with the addition of Lydia, the new youngest sibling, and there are surprises in store for all. Springtime is finally arriving on Gardam Street, and with it comes all the joyful chaos of the Penderwicks. Which, of course, they will-won’t they? One thing’s for sure: it will be a summer the Penderwicks will never forget. Tifton is not as pleased with the Penderwicks as Jeffrey is, though, and warns the new friends to stay out of trouble. But the most wonderful discovery of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel’s owner, who quickly proves to be the perfect companion for their adventures. Soon the girls 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. Instead of the tumbledown cottage they expected, they find themselves on a beautiful estate called Arundel. When the girls and their doting father head off for their summer holiday, they’re in for a surprise. There’s responsible, practical Rosalind stubborn, feisty Skye dreamy, artistic Jane and shy little sister Batty, who won’t go anywhere without her butterfly wings. Meet the Penderwicks, four different sisters with one special bond.

The penderwicks at point mouette by jeanne birdsall