Jeanne Birdsall

When the three younger Penderwick sisters go to Maine with Aunt Claire and are separated from oldest sister Rosalind for the first time in their lives, an uncertain Skye is left in charge as the OAP--oldest available Penderwick.

The Penderwick family return to Arundel for Rosalind's wedding, but Lydia, who has only heard stories of the grand estate, is eager to explore the place where her older siblings had endless adventures.

In his homework assignment, Gus spends less time on what he likes about sheep and more on how he has gotten in trouble doing such things as using a sheep as an umbrella, or letting sheep into his house.

As spring arrives on Gardam Street, there are surprises in store for each Penderwick, from neighbor Nick Geiger's expected return from the war to Batty's new dog-walking business, but her plans to use her profits to surprise her family on her eleventh birthday go astray.

When summer comes around, it's off to the beach for Rosalind ... and off to Maine with Aunt Claire for the rest of the Penderwick girls, as well as their old friend, Jeffrey. That leaves Skye as OAP (oldest available Penderwick)--a terrifying notion for all, but for Skye especially.

It was Christmas Eve. Big snowflakes fluttered slowly through the air like white feathers and made all of Heavenly Valley smooth and white and quiet and beautiful ... So begins the story of two orphaned sisters at Mrs. Monday's Boarding School. But nothing is heavenly for Nancy and Pamela (aka Plum): their parents died in a tragic accident years ago, they're constantly punished by the cruel Mrs. Monday, and they're all alone for the holidays. Luckily,...