It's been four years since the most recent Penderwicks title, The Penderwicks at Point Mouette--but well worth the wait. At the outset, we catch up with all the Penderwick sisters and two new additions: Ben (age seven) and Lydia (age two). Rosalind is away at college, and Jane and Skye are in high school. This story belongs predominantly to Batty, now 10.
We learn that Batty's beloved Hound has died, and Batty blames herself. She keeps these feelings, along with many more thoughts, inside. When the school's new music teacher proclaims Batty's singing voice as rare as "finding an orchid blooming in a daisy field," Batty becomes determined to earn money for singing lessons. Ben helps her launch PWTW, Penderwick Willing to Work, and she lands a job walking two dogs: a fat one named Duchess and a cowardly one named Cilantro. Through simple descriptions and comical situations (Batty brings her wagon along in case Duchess can't make the full trip, but it frightens Cilantro), Birdsall fills even a routine dog walk with humor and warmth.
When Batty overhears Skye blaming Batty for their mother's death, Batty goes into a tailspin, and it takes perceptive neighbor Nick Geiger to discover the source of her grief. This is a Penderwick story, however, so all wrongs are righted. Birdsall once again shows her skill at weaving a modern-day story with plenty of appeal. Readers new to the series will go in search of previous Penderwick tales, and loyal fans will wait impatiently for the series conclusion in 2017. --Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop