這是四個年幼喪母女孩跟她們父親在某個夏天發生的故事。十二歲大姐羅莎琳擔任了三位妹妹的母親角色，常常在妹妹闖禍後出來收拾殘局；十一歲的絲凱長得最像母親，脾氣急燥，諸事皆有自己的想法，好講話，有點大嘴巴；十歲的珍立志寫作，隨時隨地尋找題材，凡事免不了誇張一番；四歲半的貝蒂是個羞怯可愛的小女孩，永遠戴著一雙翅膀，不停地在魔法般的莊園裡與忠心耿耿的獵狗進行冒險探索。這個暑假對彭德韋克姊妹來說，表面上沒什麼兩樣，他們照慣例的等待一個無憂無慮的假期，但是一連串的奇遇，讓她們初嚐了生命的青澀，卻也因此獲得了成長，何況她們那位身為植物學教授的教授，總是在一旁給予最溫暖、管用的協助，就像過去任何時刻一樣。
本書承襲《小婦人》的溫馨、幽默，《秘密花園》的清新、抒情，為讀者持續喚醒、呵護純真、美好的心靈。
得獎紀錄
美國國家書卷獎(青少年文學)National Book Award for Young People's Literature
兒童雜誌年度最佳書獎Child Magazine's Best Books of the Year
出版人週刊年度最佳童書獎Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year - Children
書單雜誌編輯推薦獎Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choice
校園圖書期刊年度最佳童書獎School Library Journal Best Books of the Year - Children
亞馬遜網路書店評鑑☆☆☆☆☆
◎本書中譯本《夏天的故事》由遠流出版
This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday on the grounds of a beautiful estate called Arundel. Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of Arundel's sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. But the best discovery of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel's owner, who quickly proves to be the perfect companion for their adventures.
The icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is not as pleased with the Penderwicks as Jeffrey is, though, and warns the new friends to stay out of trouble. Which, of course, they will-won't they? One thing's for sure: it will be a summer the Penderwicks will never forget.
Deliciously nostalgic and quaintly witty, this is a story as breezy and carefree as a summer day.
作者簡介
Jeanne Birdsall lives in Massachusetss with her husband, four cats, a rabbit, a puppy, and a pet snail. She is working on another book about the Penderwick sisters.
