I didn't like this one quite as much as "The Penderwicks" -- I suppose some of the nostalgic charm has worn off, so it had to work a little harder. It's also lacking some of the suspense of its predecessor. That said, it's still a great book, and anyone who liked the first one will enjoy it. ( )

3.5 stars. Almost as good as the first. I would have loved this series as a child, and it was a perfect, warm, happy read for me right now. ( )

The Penderwicks have returned to their home on Gardam Street and settled back into the routine of school and day care. But when their Aunt Claire arrives for a weekend visit bearing a letter from their deceased mother to their father, the status quo gets overturned slightly. For their mother wanted Aunt Claire to encourage their father to start dating and the Penderwick sisters are appalled at the idea of a stepmother. And so they come up with the Save Daddy plan in which they will ensure that he only goes on terrible dates so that life at home will remain the same.

Just a perfect read at a perfect time. I love how largely timeless these novels feel (although based on some references, I think I've pinned it down to the early 90s) and how wonderfully crafts each chapter from the Penderwick sisters different perspectives. The challenges are never too big to be overcome, the lessons learned are always valuable, and the changes for the Penderwick family in this volume are all delightful. Highly recommended. ( )

Delightful continuation of the first book in the series. Rosalind starts to worry when her father is coerced into a blind date, Skye and Jane make a pact with disastrous results, and Batty keeps claiming she's seen a "bugman". It's a funny, touching, believable story. ( )

children's realistic fiction. Widowed dad reenters dating scene; Batty encounters a scary stranger; the 3 eldest girls learn a lesson about telling lies. ( )