Although my reviews of the first two books (here and here) indicate that my feelings for the books are a little more enthusiastic than they are, I do like them. However, reading this third volume made me think about series books. What do we expect from them? Do we somehow expect them to be less well-written because they are series titles, even when the original author is still doing the writing? When I think about series I love that have stood the test of time, it occurs to me that yes, some books are better than others, but this doesn’t detract from the appeal of the series as a whole. I remember reading other series, though, that haven’t retained their popularity, and I wonder why. I remember reading the Amy and Laura
Following this same line of thought, another thing I wondered about while reading Point Mouette is this: Will these books seem dated because of the Penderwick girls’ mentioning certain books that they love? I mean, once Ivy + Bean is no longer well-known (bear in mind I haven’t read Ivy + Bean, so I can’t say anything about the popular appeal of the series), will the Penderwick girls’ adoration for Ivy + Bean make The Penderwicks, which some think are destined to become classics, seem dated? It seems to me that if one hopes her novel will be read some twenty-five years after it is published, one should avoid references that would make readers scratch their heads and question the reference. Then again, I can think of other books that have maintained their popular appeal and still have these rather arcane references. If the books are “intellectual” enough, of course, they are riddled with footnotes to clarify all the cultural, literary, and historical references. Thankfully, this doesn’t happen too often in children’s literature.
It’s a catch-22 really, isn’t it? One of the things I actually love about reading older works, even to my young children, is the sense of time and place they give us. And yet here I am complaining wondering if such references are a good idea if the author wants to leave a lasting mark. Here’s another thought: when reading a book, say Half-Magic, for example, that refers often to another book (the E. Nesbit books, in this case), I am actually more motivated to pick up the other book, although both book and author are certainly not new. Maybe that’s the intended effect–a sort of love note/recommendation to another author or work that the author loves?
Okay, I’m getting off that round-about of thinking and just make a few more observations about The Penderwicks at Point Mouette: first, I wasn’t crazy about the “romantic” element in the story, but that’s mainly because I have a hard time figuring out how not to be reactionary about it. Thinking back to my own childhood (which I realize is not the best lens through which to view others’ experiences, but it’s the only one I have!), I distinctly remember having a very big but thankfully unrequited crush on one of my fellow sixth graders. The “romance” in Point Mouette is treated in such a way that the girl’s very idealistic but realistically drawn feelings are exposed and the “romance” ends in a way that is very likely to happen in real life. I don’t like it, really, but I don’t like to promote the boyfriend/girlfriend relationship among children. However, I also realize from my own experience that there’s just no stopping the developmental train–my own crush certainly didn’t develop as a result of peer pressure; I never even told anyone!
I spent a lot of my time while reading this book having the above conversation with myself, but then I got to the end. Oh, the ending! The last few pages are positively beautiful and completely redeemed the book for me and quietened all of the questions and criticism I had about series fiction and gradeschool romance. If you want to read a positively heartwarming portrayal of family life, read The Penderwicks at Point Mouette.
I have to mention one more thing about The Penderwicks books: I think that the bookcovers are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. Bookcovers aren’t something that I usually think or write much about, but I think David Frankland, the artist who created these covers, perfectly captures the spirit in his simple design. 
The colors, the silhouettes, the toile-like look and feel–I love it. (Go here to see and read about how the bookcovers differ on the foreign editions. Very interesting!)
Well, you’re not likely to see this review in a magazine anywhere, that’s for sure. If you’ve read all of my convoluted thoughts and have any ideas about series fiction or romance in middle grade stories, talk to me in the comments. I’d love to chat about it! (Knopf, 2011)
Ah, series fiction. I love it, but only when books can be read completely independent of one another. Like you, I like the old books’ references to other books and life that date them. However, when Blackberries and iphones, or even just cell phones…though not as badly, are referred to, I feel that current books are dated, too, and not positively.
The covers are what first drew me in to pulling the first book off the library’s audio shelf! I love them, too, and think they capture the books well.
Thank you for no spoilers! I also discourage romance for children…but had my own big crushes. With all the media romance is certainly thought to be normal between children…but really, should it be? Nope, not in my opinion.
Looking forward to this one! Thanks!
This book is on my “to read” list for the summer. I, also, love the book covers 🙂
Annette–I like series fiction so much better when I don’t have to remember what happened in the last book! I agree about the technology, although I do wonder if I only feel that way about gadgets that have recently become obsolete (or are still being used today). For example, I think the mention of a phonograph would add to the charm of a story, but if a story were to mention an iPod, I would inconsistently wonder if anyone will even know what that is in a few years.
I haven’t read this series but I had to comment to say I love love loved the Amy and Laura series. I’ve been thinking about reading this series myself. We listened to the first one on audiobook (but it was a time when my husband was in the car more than me so I didn’t hear much of it). I think my kids liked it but just a bit.
I think series like this one or something like The Saturdays or even Harry Potter are very different than series like Trixie Belden (which I loved as a kid) or the A to Z mysteries or something like that. I’m not sure how to articulate the difference but there is one. Maybe it’s that the former are a group of well written books that happen to be about the same group of characters while the latter seem to be mass produced.
As for romance, my kids are young so I don’t know how I’ll feel when they are bigger. But in general I’m ok with it as long as it’s age appropriate. I think middle schoolers do have crushes. They think about romance, or at least I did and most of the ones I knew did. But in a fairly innocent way. So as long as it’s reflective of reality and kept age appropriate I’m ok with it.
Alice, You articulated very well exactly what I’ve been thinking about series fiction. I think that perhaps the difference is that some series are written (perhaps? maybe?) with the intention that they’ll go on and on and on and on as long as the money rolls in. (Perhaps it’s not quite as mercenary as that, but you know what I mean.) Others, I think, are simply a set of related novels, each of which is a story in its own right. And I also agree with you about the romance in middle grade (and even YA) books. It’s okay with me if it’s kept age-appropriate (and I agree with the author in terms of what IS age appropriate! 😉 ).
These are great questions and thoughts… They make me think about my own very unformulated reactions to series fiction.
Do the Narnia books or the Little House books count as series fiction? I loved them. But right now my girls are on a Magic Treehouse kick, and I don’t really like those books at all. Disliked Left Behind. Enjoyed Nancy Drew as a child, for a season anyway. Somehow all these reading experiences go into the pot and contribute to my reading tastes and judgments.
I don’t mind dated references. They’re part of the placed world of a book, as you say… I don’t THINK I mind my girls having crushes either (I certainly had them! — one of many ways to imagine being a grown-up), but we haven’t really had to deal with that yet. I guess it depends on the frame of reference a child comes from. My kids are innocent, but I’m afraid young children are exposed to adult themes and behavior much more often in our time than even when I was young.
Janet, I don’t really think about Narnia or even LHotP as series fiction, for some reason. Perhaps The Penderwicks will end up similarly. I hope so! I’m with you on Magic Treehouse, too–I’m not crazy about that series. Lulu is still on her Boxcar Children kick, and while I’m still trying to “help” her find the good ones (those actually written by Gertrude Chandler Warner), there are only so many of those. Ah, well–I loved Trixie Belden as a child and I don’t think it hurt me too much. 🙂
I appreciated your thoughts on series fiction, although I can’t really provide any answers to your questions! I do love series fiction, because once you fall in love with certain characters, it’s wonderful not to have to say good-bye to them after one book.
I’d love you to stop by my review and say hello…
Cindy at Cindy’s Book Club
Of course, I can’t remember what it was, but it seems like when we listened to a Ramona audiobook, they referenced something that my girls had to ask me about … I know when we have listened to Narnia they asked me what a wireless was. I think it just depends on how it is used in a the story … I remember seeing or hearing something about a country song that used emailing or something in it. That to me, seemed to be taking it a bit too far.
I so loved this book. I need to read it again … soon. : )
Stephanie, I think my dislike of references that will become dated has to do with whether it’s something I think will be quickly outdated. I don’t mind references that I find quaint, etc.–I just sort of scratch my head when an author sticks in something that I think will be obsolete pretty soon. I guess I’m inconsistent. 🙂
I haven’t read this one yet, but I’ve read the other two. I hope to read this 3rd one with my daughter this summer.
It’s interesting that you mention the cultural references (to books) in this story, b/c I’ve felt like the first two were quite timeless, and I love that.
As far as romance — I am working on a YA review that will post at 5M4B soon. I read it, and Amanda (almost 13) wanted to read it, and I let her. There was some behavior that stretched my comfort zone for her a bit, but what was important to me and tipped the scales in the end was that it wasn’t painted in a favorable light. The truth is that as an 8th grader, she’s going to know people who make out, drink — whatever. She chooses not to do those things, and I think that she will continue in that vein, but I can’t just pretend it doesn’t exist. Other more mature YA titles paint this behavior as just something that happens, and those are definitely books that I don’t allow her to read, if that makes sense.
I loved the portrait of Rosalind’s crush in the first one, although when I read it this month, I was surprised she was only 12. In my memory, she was 13 or 14 — being so old and responsible.
(And I know — or am assuming — that the Penderwick girls aren’t running around making out and getting drunk — it was just a thought about romance in books for tweens or young teens)
Jennifer,
Yes, I think that’s what I was trying to get at in my post, which I really failed to explain: the first two books seemed “timeless,” but this one, because of the reference I mentioned, seemed more modern.
I guess I don’t really have a problem with age-appropriate romance in stories , but I think I would’ve liked Rosalind’s relationship better if she had been older. 😉
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!