Author: Jeanne Birdsall
Series: The Penderwicks #2
Genre: Children's stories.
Setting: The imaginary small town of Cameron, Masschusetts. Although no specific year is mentioned it seems to be before cell phones.
Keywords: Astrophysics, pizza, football, date, play, soccer, roof, sisters.
Reason for Reading: I wanted a pick-me-up and I enjoyed the first book.
Finished In: Days.
Pages: 308
Copyright Date: 2008
Cover: A woodcut illustration, similar to the one used for the first book. It shows three girls chasing a boy in a football uniform. Behind them is a dog pulling a wagon containing a fourth girl.
First line: "Their mother had been here in the hospital with the new baby for almost a week." (This is from the prologue.)
Best part: Really sweet.
Worst part: Over too quickly. She says on her website she is working on a third book, and five are planned all together - but what if she gets hit by a bus?
Imaginary Theme Song: "Goodnight My Someone" from The Music Man
Grade: B+
Recommended for: Children, and other fans of childrens' books.
Related Reads: The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. Saffy's Angel by Hilary McKay. The Four-Story Mistake by Elizabeth Enright.
The further adventures of Martin, Rosalind, Jane, Skye, Batty, and Hound Penderwick is a delightful picture of childhood, while still being real and full of real uncertainties.