3/15)is a summertime reverie set at the real-but-still-magical-seeming Arundel estatewhere it all began fifteen years before. The Penderwick series finale (most recently The Penderwicks in Spring, rev. VERDICT A richly satisfying curtain call for a beloved series.- Marybeth Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY Birdsall’s writing, effervescent as ever, turns routine moments into delightful vignettes: Lydia finds an abandoned chair leg under a couch, “stoically waiting for the rest of its chair to come back.” While Birdsall provides enough backstory for this entry to stand on its own, she rewards fans of the series with a meeting that brings the saga full circle and a closing image reassuring readers that the Penderwicks, like imagination and adventure, will live forever. The wedding serves as a seamless device to bring back more characters from previous books who arrive at the ceremony with pleasant surprises. Tifton, who remains a rigid and humorless foil for the Penderwicks’ exuberance. Lydia and her siblings are less pleased to see another Arundel native: Mrs. Lydia is eager to explore the place “where the possibilities for adventure are endless.” She finds a kindred spirit in Alice Pelletier, who lives in the cottage where the Penderwicks stayed and whose father is Cagney, the object of Rosalind’s preteen crush, now a history teacher and the estate’s caretaker.

The last time the entire family was at the estate was 15 years ago now they are gathered for Rosalind and Skye’s double wedding. And what a stage she has: the story is set at Arundel, the legendary estate which, for Lydia, has previously existed only in her sisters’ stories. Lydia, the youngest Penderwick sibling, is now 11 and takes center stage in this fifth and final entry in the National Book Award-winning series. But can Skye hold it together long enough to figure out Rosalind's directions about not letting Batty explode? Will Jane's Love Survey come to a tragic conclusion after she meets the alluring Dominic? Is Batty-contrary to all accepted wisdom-the only Penderwick capable of carrying a tune? And will Jeffrey be able to keep peace between the girls. Things look good as they settle into their cozy cottage, with a rocky shore, enthusiastic seagulls, a just-right corner store, and a charming next-door neighbor. That leaves Skye as OAP (oldest available Penderwick)-a terrifying notion for all, but for Skye especially. and off to Maine with Aunt Claire for the rest of the Penderwick girls, as well as their old friend, Jeffrey. When summer comes around, it's off to the beach for Rosalind.

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