americangirlemmie's review
4.0
Ah! This book! What a breath of fresh air! I got this little gem on Audible, and listened to it all in one day, and finished the series before the end of the week. This book is my personality in text, and I cannot express my enjoyment for it enough. I truly wish I could’ve found it sooner (but not too much, because I still have to wait seven months for the next installment 0.0 (it ended up being longer because of a delayed release date 🙁 Doesn’t make me any less excited to read The Long Lost Home)).
This clever little series follows a young governess and her students on wild adventures, and both teacher and students grow. We see the Incorrigibles start taking to their new lifestyle, alongside their witty young Penelope. Through the catchphrases and mishaps, we learn important life lessons, right alongside the characters. These books have a wonderful Lemony Snicket style flair to them and bring such a warm fuzzy feeling to this tea loving heart. I truly cannot recommend them enough. The series is one of those middle school novels that just blows my mind. I know I have said it before, but somehow middle school novels almost always seem to be more complex and full of moral issues that most YA is. This series is an example of that; we see the ethics of social classes, the very real issue of feral children during the Enlightenment Movement, a coming of age story, and just a bunch of pluck! These and many other issues are dealt with within the plot, with characters who are very forward-thinking and innovative. Middle School lit ROCKS.
The storytelling of this book is wonderfully unique; I find the breaking of the fourth wall and the incredibly witty dialogue of this series captivating! It reminds me most strongly of one of my favorite writers, Diana Wynne Jones, and many other authors of the British classics. Penelope is so full of spunk and personality, and it one of the most dynamic characters I have read in a good while. She is a great role model for her pupils, all the while going through some strong character development and growth. As for the breaking of the fourth wall, I adore it. I find that such interaction with the reader allows the story to be even more immersive, which is definitely the case here.
A large portion of my adoration for this book and the series as a whole boils down to the way it makes one realize that every day, no matter how ordinary, is full of adventure and things to be discovered. Penelope and her pupils have such curiosity and excitement for everything from swashbuckling adventures to a nice relaxing cup of tea. This idea, plus the immersive quality of the writing, makes the series oddly inspiring (in the best possible way).
Overall, this books has all the pieces to a wondeful experiance–good story, good characters, and a good message. I think it translates well to every age range, and I hope you give it a chance. We could all learn a bit from the Swanburne Girls.
This clever little series follows a young governess and her students on wild adventures, and both teacher and students grow. We see the Incorrigibles start taking to their new lifestyle, alongside their witty young Penelope. Through the catchphrases and mishaps, we learn important life lessons, right alongside the characters. These books have a wonderful Lemony Snicket style flair to them and bring such a warm fuzzy feeling to this tea loving heart. I truly cannot recommend them enough. The series is one of those middle school novels that just blows my mind. I know I have said it before, but somehow middle school novels almost always seem to be more complex and full of moral issues that most YA is. This series is an example of that; we see the ethics of social classes, the very real issue of feral children during the Enlightenment Movement, a coming of age story, and just a bunch of pluck! These and many other issues are dealt with within the plot, with characters who are very forward-thinking and innovative. Middle School lit ROCKS.
The storytelling of this book is wonderfully unique; I find the breaking of the fourth wall and the incredibly witty dialogue of this series captivating! It reminds me most strongly of one of my favorite writers, Diana Wynne Jones, and many other authors of the British classics. Penelope is so full of spunk and personality, and it one of the most dynamic characters I have read in a good while. She is a great role model for her pupils, all the while going through some strong character development and growth. As for the breaking of the fourth wall, I adore it. I find that such interaction with the reader allows the story to be even more immersive, which is definitely the case here.
A large portion of my adoration for this book and the series as a whole boils down to the way it makes one realize that every day, no matter how ordinary, is full of adventure and things to be discovered. Penelope and her pupils have such curiosity and excitement for everything from swashbuckling adventures to a nice relaxing cup of tea. This idea, plus the immersive quality of the writing, makes the series oddly inspiring (in the best possible way).
Overall, this books has all the pieces to a wondeful experiance–good story, good characters, and a good message. I think it translates well to every age range, and I hope you give it a chance. We could all learn a bit from the Swanburne Girls.
deservingporcupine's review
4.0
Fun read, but I have to agree that I wanted more of a resolution. Also, my students had a really tough time with the vocabulary.
lindasdarby's review
4.0
A great read for kids. It was fun and funny and clever. I think my girls will love it.
lorathelibrarian's review
2.0
I read this in preparation for some booktalks I'm doing next month. It wasn't my favorite, but I still think children will enjoy it.
The ridiculous and unbelievable premise that three children have been presumably raised by wolves and are now under the care of a 15 year old governess is enjoyable, but a bit of a stretch. Children will love the silliness that I was a bit bored and annoyed with by the end of the book. Penelope, governess, is a bit like Mary Poppins minus the magical mystery. She is more real with true worries and fears, which children will relate to.
The book is the first in a series and the first installment ends quite abruptly with a mystery unsolved, yet the reader is left a bit satisfied, for now. A fun read with a silly plot will definitely attract middle grade readers.
The ridiculous and unbelievable premise that three children have been presumably raised by wolves and are now under the care of a 15 year old governess is enjoyable, but a bit of a stretch. Children will love the silliness that I was a bit bored and annoyed with by the end of the book. Penelope, governess, is a bit like Mary Poppins minus the magical mystery. She is more real with true worries and fears, which children will relate to.
The book is the first in a series and the first installment ends quite abruptly with a mystery unsolved, yet the reader is left a bit satisfied, for now. A fun read with a silly plot will definitely attract middle grade readers.
leeza_robertson_writes's review
5.0
This is truly one of the most delightful books I have read in a long time. I am very excited to read the rest in the series.
lindzieh's review against another edition
5.0
Picked this up at the library. Good mystery novel for younger audience. Author did a good job of me wanting to pick up the next book in the series. Although all the mysteries in the book weren't revealed, I enjoyed the book. Good, quick read.
hoosgracie's review
3.0
This was cute. It definitely leaves you wanting to read the next to find out what happens.
indydc's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
fern17's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sandraagee's review
3.0
Definitely a fun read. I didn't realize until I was finished that this book is the first of what will be a series. Not all of our questions have been answered and in fact none of the mystery set up in the book is really solved, but somehow that isn't really bothersome. It's just a fun little romp in old gothic style that's kind of a bizarre blend of Jane Eyre, Mary Poppins, and Lemony Snicket. Sort of. For most, this will be book-candy - a light and joyful read with characters that make you smile. Only time and the rest of the series will tell if this book sticks with me like a expensive dark chocolate or if it fades into the everyday of M&Ms. And that's OK.