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kathleenmom
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| Posted: May 26 2006 at 5:07pm | IP Logged
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I'm hoping for something to pass along to my dh. He just began The Penderwicks with dc as a nighttime read aloud. I had heard several well-opinioned  ladies here wax encomium-ish about it. DH is just finished with the first few chapters and is having some misgivings about the character who is going into the neighbor's garden without permission. DH is very sensitive to negative role modelling in literature. He's fine with patently-unabashed-bad-guys that get their cummupance, but not so cumfy with the bad guys that don't. He asked me if the book was okay? I don't really have time to pre-read this one right now. Any thoughts from those who have already read this one?
Thanks,
Kathleen
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MacBeth
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| Posted: May 26 2006 at 5:30pm | IP Logged
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There is also some name-calling, like "jerk" and such. Overall, I like the book, and my kids have read it (or are reading it, currently) but I definitely would warn folks of the little details.
But the good news: When the kids behave poorly in the book, there are repercussions. I can excuse some misbehavior in literature in a case like that.
Overall, I think the 9-12 set will enjoy it, and, frankly, it is so much better than so much of what is out there, it was a joy to find a book that is pleasant in tone without any innapropriate innuendo. No, it's not perfect, but I think it's not any worse than any of the Potter (Beatrix, that is ) stories.
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Karen E.
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| Posted: May 26 2006 at 10:19pm | IP Logged
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I agree with MacBeth.
We really enjoyed the book. The characters are not perfect, but when I'm reading aloud to my kids, I find that that offers opportunities for discussion (my kids often jump in with warnings to the characters: "You'd better not do that! That's not right!"
I skipped a bit of stuff about the 12 year old's crush, too. It was a bit beyond "crush" when she thought she might really be in love with a 17 yo boy. But, the problems were minor and overall, we loved the book.
Your husband could easily preview quickly (it's a very quick read) and skip over anything he doesn't like, and/or feel more prepared to discuss any misbehaviors, etc.
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Jen L.
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| Posted: May 27 2006 at 8:55am | IP Logged
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I read it aloud to my 8 and 10 without prereading it (a first for me except for Little House books) and we really enjoyed it. I wish I'd read ahead, because I, too, would have skipped every sentence of the 12 year old's "love story".
I am quite conservative when choosing books for my kids, and I was happy with the book. There are definitely things to talk about. We heard that there is to be at least one sequel and are looking forward to hearing what happens to the characters!
I just re-read your question; I think your husband should also know that the girls do sneak into the house (with the boy's help) and keep a secret from their father.
He might be happier reading some other book. We love family stories such as the "Moffats", the "Melendys" (aka the Saturdays), and the "Ingalls" (and the Quiners,etc.)
Edited to add: I just read your kid's ages. My thought is that they are at the "young end" of the spectrum for The Penderwicks.
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Mary G
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| Posted: May 27 2006 at 5:35pm | IP Logged
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I read Penderwicks at lunch to my 16-1/2, 14-1/2, 7, 6 and 3 year olds...all thought it was great!
The older ones recognized the need to ignore the poor behavior and the younger ones didn't catch on.
I loved the book because it's fun and the dialogue is real -- this is what kids do....and as MacBeth said, there are always repercussions for this poor judgement.
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SuzC
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| Posted: June 10 2006 at 2:47pm | IP Logged
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I'm reading this to my dds. I have found myself quickly changing words like "stupid" and have skipped over some paragraphs about the "crush" mentioned above and the grandmother's boyfriend (and come to think of it I skipped the entire part about Jeffrey's father - not sure if I should have). Anyway, last night my dd, noticing a pause in my reading, asked whether I was skipping over a part or having trouble pronouncing the Latin! 
Thinking about this later, some may ask "Why are you even bothering to read it?" It really is a fun read and we're enjoying it. I guess some days I'm more sensitive to what ideas and thoughts are going into the littles' heads. Or maybe I'm more sensitive when those images are coming from my mouth. hmm. Does this make sense?
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4Real Forums : Living Literature
Topic: Anyone read The Penderwicks?
