The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

With its Latin-speaking father, spunky children and old-fashioned adventures, this book feels as if it could have been written 50 years ago. It’s literary and insightful, and treats the subjects with dignity, something children will recognize and delight in. I would highly recommend it for any family bookshelf, though parents ought to know that there is some unrequited pining by one of the sisters and some other topics that may be confusing to very young readers, though not wholly inappropriate. Considering this is Birdsall’s first novel, I am delighted to see what else she churns out. There’s another Penderwick novel written, and three more planned, and I can’t wait to see what adventures Rosalind, Skye, Jane and Batty get into! (8/10, interact on goodreads.)