A review by thelittleb00kworm
The Penderwicks at Last by Jeanne Birdsall

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 

Summary


In the final book of the Penderwicks series, we step into Lydia’s world—the youngest of the Penderwick clan, now eleven years old. Unlike her older sisters, Lydia never knew a life before their stepmother, Iantha, or without her youngest brother, Ben. She grew up in a household where adventures were already told as stories, rather than lived firsthand. However, this summer, Lydia gets her own adventure as the family returns to Arundel—where it all began—for Rosalind’s wedding.


Lydia is a free spirit, a natural dancer, and a ball of boundless energy, but she's a bit wary about the pressures of being the youngest sibling in such a large and legendary family. Upon arriving at Arundel, she meets Alice, the daughter of Cagney (yes, that Cagney, the young gardener from book one!). The two quickly become best friends and embark on their own whirlwind of childhood mischief—including running through the old hedge tunnels, discovering forgotten corners of Arundel, and steering clear of the formidable Mrs. Tifton, Jeffrey’s mother, who is just as intimidating as ever.


Meanwhile, the older Penderwicks have all grown up—Rosalind is getting married, Jane is working hard on her writing, Skye is deeply in love, and Batty is dealing with a new, uncertain stage in her life. As Lydia explores Arundel, she unknowingly helps mend old wounds, bring new joys, and even reignite hope in characters who thought their adventures had ended long ago.


Major Themes & Takeaways


1. The Passing of Time & the Next Generation


Throughout the series, we’ve watched the Penderwick sisters grow up, but this book is the first where we truly feel the weight of time passing. Lydia’s childhood is very different from that of her older sisters. She doesn’t remember their mother, she wasn’t there for their early adventures, and she knows Jeffrey only as her sisters’ best friend—not as the lonely, pressured boy he once was.


For longtime readers, this shift is deeply bittersweet. The Penderwicks are no longer the same ragtag bunch of kids who once ran wild across Arundel. They’ve grown, moved on, and found their places in the world. However, Lydia represents the continuation of their legacy, proving that new adventures will always come—even as old ones fade into memory.


2. The Power of Friendship


The friendship between Lydia and Alice mirrors the original bond between the Penderwicks and Jeffrey. Alice is skeptical at first, reluctant to be forced into a friendship simply because their families are connected. However, Lydia, with her charming and open-hearted personality, wins her over, and together, they create their own unforgettable summer.


The parallel between Lydia & Alice and Jeffrey & the Penderwick sisters reminds us that while people and places change, some things—like childhood friendships—remain timeless.


3. Nostalgia & Returning Home


Returning to Arundel, where the series began, is a deeply emotional experience—not just for the characters, but also for the readers. There are constant callbacks to the first book:


🔹 The gardens and hedge tunnels, where the original sisters once got into trouble.
🔹 Mrs. Tifton, who is just as harsh but perhaps a little more tired and regretful.
🔹 Cagney, now an adult with a family of his own.
🔹 Jeffrey, who has fully embraced his role in the Penderwick family.


The book doesn’t just look back on the past—it also embraces the future. It’s not just about returning home; it’s about what home means after you’ve outgrown it.


4. Love Stories—Past, Present, and Future


Though The Penderwicks series has never been about romance, this final book gently ties up romantic threads that had been left unresolved.


  • Rosalind is finally getting her happily ever after.
  • Skye, who always seemed the most reluctant to fall in love, has found someone who balances her intensity.
  • Jane is as romantic as ever, though her true love seems to remain writing itself.
  • And then there’s Batty and Jeffrey.


For readers who have followed Jeffrey and Skye’s friendship, it might be a surprise to see Jeffrey and Batty hinted at as a potential couple. But if you think about it, it makes sense. They’ve always shared a deep understanding of music, and while Skye was a constant in Jeffrey’s life, it was Batty who truly connected with him on a deeper, artistic level. The book leaves this relationship open-ended, but with a strong sense that Batty and Jeffrey will eventually find their way to each other.


5. The Growth of Mrs. Tifton


Perhaps the most surprising development in the book is Mrs. Tifton’s transformation. The once cold and controlling woman seems weary and filled with regrets. She has softened, though she still struggles to express warmth. The conversations between Lydia and Mrs. Tifton are some of the most touching in the book—Lydia, unburdened by past grudges, treats Mrs. Tifton as a person, not an enemy.


Through Lydia’s eyes, we see that Mrs. Tifton was not just a villain—but a mother who, in her own misguided way, was trying to do what she thought was right. She is not fully redeemed, but there is a sense that she has changed, even if just a little.


6. The Beauty of an Open-Ended Conclusion


Unlike many series finales that try to wrap everything up neatly, The Penderwicks at Last takes a different approach. It doesn’t end with a grand farewell or a dramatic closing scene. Instead, it ends with Lydia, Alice, and Jack (Alice’s brother) dashing off for a new adventure—mirroring the very first moments of the first book.


It’s a full-circle moment, a reminder that life moves forward, but stories never truly end.


Favorite Moments


✨ Lydia meeting Alice and their initial "I don't have to like you" attitude turning into a beautiful friendship.
✨ The spider incident, where Lydia and Alice attempt to remove a spider from the wedding dress, leading to absolute chaos.
✨ Batty and Jeffrey’s quiet connection, which suggests something deeper brewing.
✨ The hedge tunnel scene, a callback to Skye and Jeffrey’s first meeting, only this time with Lydia and Jack—hinting at another generation of Penderwick friendships and love stories to come.
✨ The final scene, where Lydia runs off into adventure, just like her sisters before her.


Final Verdict: A Fitting, Bittersweet Goodbye


🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5 stars, but also tears.)


The Penderwicks at Last is a love letter to longtime fans of the series. It’s not as high-energy or chaotic as the previous books, but that’s intentional. The Penderwicks have grown up, and their world has matured. This book is about passing the torch to the next generation, about nostalgia, change, and the beauty of new beginnings.

It’s both an ending and a new beginning—a quiet but deeply emotional farewell that reminds us the best stories never truly end; they just take new forms.