Posted in Book reviews by kids

Book review: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, One Rabbit, and a Very Interesting Boy

The cover of a children's novel: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, One Rabbit, and Very Interesting Boy

The book The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, One Rabbit, and Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall is the first in a series that will leave you scrambling to catch up.

The book features four sisters (Rosalind, the most responsible; Skye, the one with a high temper; Jane, the author of the family; and Batty, the youngest one) and a boy named Jeffrey. They meet in a very odd fashion, in which Skye unknowingly insults Jeffrey’s mother and falls on top of him.

Together, the five go through numerous adventures, including the rescuing of Batty from the attack of an angry bull, and soon develop a great bond. But when the sisters realise what their music loving friend, Jeffrey, is going through on account of his mum, the sisters know that they have to do something.

My favorite part is when Jeffrey’s mother insults Skye’s family. Skye doesn’t even hesitate for a second before charging in there to defend herself and the people who she loves most. I would recommend this book to children ages 9–12, and the author has done a wonderful job in adding several side challenges for the sisters and still ensuring that they still stood by Jeffrey’s side throughout.


This is Nyla’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by Indi, Book reviews by Iona Presentation College, Book reviews by kids

Book review: My Brother Ben

My Brother Ben by Peter Carnavas

REVIEWED BY INDI, 9, WA, IONA PRESENTATION COLLEGE

My Brother Ben by Peter Carnavas, University of Queensland Press, ISBN 9780702263330

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

My Brother Ben is a timeless story of two brothers and a magpie.

Luke is a quiet boy who loves and is very knowledgeable about birds. Ben is starting high school, is adventurous, and both brothers share a dream about exploring Cabbage Tree Creek in a boat of their very own. When Ben starts sneaking out at night, Luke decides to follow him.

This book is a tale of brotherly love, birds and boats. I would recommend this beautiful book to 10 to 110-year-olds who enjoy a book about the bond of family and a tiny bit of mystery.

Read our interview with the author, Peter Carnavas.


Indi is a member of Iona Presentation College’s student reviewers’ team. Read her earlier review of The Wizard in My Shed. To send us YOUR own book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!