NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • Join the Penderwick family for an unforgettable summer in the first book of an iconic series hailed as “the literary equivalent of a perfect summer day” (Family Fun Magazine)

A PARADE BEST KIDS BOOK OF ALL TIME • A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF THE CENTURY

Meet the Penderwicks—four different sisters with one special bond. 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.

When the girls and their doting father head off for their summer holiday, they’re in for a surprise. Instead of the tumbledown cottage they expected, they find themselves on 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.

But the icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is not as pleased with the Penderwicks as Jeffrey is, 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 witty, The Penderwicks is the first book in a cherished series from award-winning author Jeanne Birdsall that accentuates adventure, laughter, and the whimsy of childhood.

Look for all the books in the Penderwicks series!
The Penderwicks
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette
The Penderwicks in Spring
The Penderwicks at Last