The Penderwicks at Last

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 25, 2018

Review

This fifth and final installment of the popular Penderwick series, finds sixteen-year-old Ben and eleven-year-old Lydia the sole siblings of their blended family of six living at home. Everyone is getting ready for a trip to the mansion Arundel Hall, from the first book in the series, to celebrate Rosalind's wedding. There are chickens, dogs, Cagney's daughter Alice, Batty's memories, potential ghosts and an upset Mrs. Tifton. Compared to the other books in the series, the story line is light on depth and lacking in substance. Due to the wrapping up of memories and gathering of the older characters by the mention of their names, readers unfamiliar with the series may want to start with an earlier book to understand the bonds they have with each other. Fans of the series will want to read this one for closure, but may find their interest waning.

Overall Book Score: fair