Written by Jeanne Birdsall
The Penderwicks have grown from 4 to 6 and with it comes new challenges. Spring has finally come. Batty is now 10 and is dealing with not only the loss of her beloved dog, Hound, but being the middle child. Wanting to take music lessons as well as piano, Batty starts up a dog-walking business. Things aren’t all peachy, however. One night, overhearing Skye talking to the visiting Geoffrey, Batty realizes that she is not the only the reason her mom died, but that that is the reason Skye, and possibly the other two older sisters, exclude her. Saddened by the news, Batty is having a hard time getting out her dog and sister funk. To make matters worse, the one to get her out of her funk, Geoffrey, has been exiled by Skye. Will Batty be able to pull out of her funk? Will Geoffrey ever come back? Will she find room to love another dog?
This is a cute, well-developed story. Readers will laugh, cry, and root for Batty. Her fun, well-rounded personality is likable and easily draws the reader into the story. Readers who liked the first three books and enjoy realistic fiction and/or books about being the middle child will enjoy reading this book.
Review by Kira Moody, Community Member, Olympus Jr. High
Rating: ★★★★✩ (4 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4 to 6
Author Website: http://jeannebirdsall.com/
The Penderwicks in Spring
Written by Jeanne Birdsall
Alfred A. Knopf
339 pages
Release Date: March 24, 2015
