#5 in The Penderwicks Series
The Penderwicks at Last
on Goodreads (8,303)
What’s inside...
The Penderwicks at Last is the final book in the Penderwicks series. The story revolves around the youngest Penderwick, Lydia, who is visiting Arundel for the first time. The Penderwicks have a lot of history with Arundel, and Lydia is about to experience it all firsthand. She also finds herself in the middle of a whole new generation of Penderwicks and their friends.
Discussion points
How do you think the characters in the book felt when they returned to Arundel? Can you relate to their feelings?
What lessons did the Penderwicks learn about friendship and family throughout the story?
If you could choose one adventure from the book to experience yourself, which one would it be and why?
How do the different settings in the book affect the story? Which setting was your favorite?
What do you think makes the Penderwicks' family unique? How does their relationship with each other influence the events in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings or memories that relate to the characters' experiences, enhancing emotional connection to the story.
Discuss the importance of family and friendship portrayed in the book, asking your child to give examples from their own lives that resonate with these themes.
Invite your child to imagine and describe an additional adventure for the Penderwicks, fostering creative thinking and deeper involvement with the narrative.
Explore the significance of different settings together, prompting your child to describe how each place makes them feel and why.
Highlight the growth of characters over time, encouraging your child to think about how they themselves have grown or learned important life lessons.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Family Bonds
Explanation: Throughout 'The Penderwicks at Last', the characters demonstrate strong family ties, supporting and understanding each other despite various challenges.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value and nurture relationships within their own families, recognizing the importance of unity and support.
Example Lesson: Embracing Change
Explanation: As characters in the book deal with new challenges and environments, they learn to adapt and embrace change, highlighting growth and resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be open to new experiences and changes in their own lives, helping them to develop adaptability and resilience.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The Penderwick siblings often come together to solve problems, using creativity and teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to use critical thinking and collaborate with others to find solutions to challenges they face in daily life.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Characters in the story often show empathy towards each other's feelings and situations, promoting a culture of understanding.
Real-World Application: This nurtures a child’s ability to empathize with others, fostering a more compassionate approach to interactions with friends and family.
Example Lesson: Celebrating Individuality
Explanation: Each sibling in the Penderwicks family has unique traits and talents that are celebrated and respected by others.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to appreciate and express their own individuality, as well as respect and celebrate the differences in others.