A review by thelittleb00kworm
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street 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


Following their unforgettable summer at Arundel, the Penderwick sisters—Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty—return to their home on Gardam Street. Life has settled into its familiar, comfortable rhythm, but change is about to shake up their world in an unexpected way.


Four years after their mother’s passing, the girls' beloved Aunt Claire arrives with an important letter from their late mother. The letter contains a request: their father, Mr. Penderwick, should start dating again. The sisters are shocked—the idea of a stepmother disrupting their happy home is completely unacceptable. Determined to prevent their father from falling in love with someone terrible, the sisters hatch the “Save Daddy Plan”—a hilarious and slightly disastrous scheme that involves finding him the worst dates imaginable so he’ll want to give up dating altogether.


Meanwhile, the sisters have their own individual struggles and adventures:


  • Rosalind     is experiencing her first real crush—on Tommy Geiger, their longtime friend and next-door neighbor—but she doesn’t know what to do about it.
  • Skye accidentally writes a romantic play, and when it’s selected for the school production, she has a full-on meltdown.
  • Jane continues to pursue her dream of writing but is outraged when Skye’s play is chosen over hers.
  • Batty is more independent than ever, spending time spying on their new neighbor and coming up with her own mini-mysteries to solve.


As their father reluctantly enters the dating world, chaos, humor, and heartfelt moments ensue. The book takes readers through hilarious mishaps, sibling rivalries, and emotional discoveries, all leading to an unexpected and perfect resolution.


Major Themes & Takeaways


1. The Fear of Change & Letting Go


  • The girls are fiercely protective of their family dynamic and fear that a stepmother will ruin everything.
  • Change is difficult but inevitable—a core theme throughout the book.
  • By the end, the sisters realize that change doesn’t have to be bad—it can bring new happiness and unexpected joy.


2. Love and Relationships in Many Forms


  • Rosalind’s growing feelings for Tommy     mirror her journey into young adulthood.
  • Skye’s resistance to romance provides comedic relief but also explores the pressure of expectations.
  • Mr. Penderwick’s journey toward love is treated with sensitivity and warmth, proving that love can come when least expected.
  • Most importantly, the book emphasizes the love of family, which remains the strongest and most unshakable bond.


3. Sibling Rivalry & Individuality


  • Skye and Jane clash over their writing talents    , leading to some of the book’s funniest moments.
  • This highlights the competitive yet loving relationship between siblings, where jealousy and frustration coexist with support and encouragement.


4. Humor & Mischief Make Life Fun


  • The “Save Daddy Plan” is one of the best running jokes in the book.
  • The disastrous dates (including the Shakespeare-obsessed widow and the humorless academic) provide laugh-out-loud moments.
  • Batty’s adorable spy missions and mistaken assumptions add a lighthearted innocence to the story.


5. Finding Love Where You Least Expect It


  • The biggest twist of the book is that Mr. Penderwick doesn’t fall for any of the disastrous dates the girls set up.
  • Instead, he falls for Iantha, their kind and intelligent new neighbor, who has a young son, Ben.
  • Iantha is exactly the kind of woman the Penderwicks could love—and by the end, they realize they weren’t saving their father from love but leading him to it.


Favorite Moments


✨ The hilarious disaster dates, from the woman who only speaks in Shakespearean quotes to the overly competitive academic.
✨ Rosalind’s awkward but sweet moments with Tommy, especially her frustration at her obvious crush.
✨ Skye’s reaction to being forced to direct her own (accidental) romance play—pure comedy!
✨ Batty’s endless detective work, which adds charm and innocence to the story.
✨ The unexpected yet perfect romance between Mr. Penderwick and Iantha, proving that love happens when you least expect it.


Final Verdict: A Heartwarming & Hilarious Sequel


🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5 stars – charming, funny, and deeply touching.)


The Penderwicks on Gardam Street is a brilliant sequel that perfectly balances humor, family love, and growing up. The Save Daddy Plan is one of the funniest plots in the entire series, but beneath the humor, the book delivers important lessons about change, love, and embracing new possibilities.

The Penderwick sisters shine in all their mischievous, heartfelt, and chaotic glory, making this a must-read for fans of timeless family stories.