Enjoyable, but not enough Joel and David!

Fun! Joel finally grows up a bit.

I'm enjoying reading this series again...this one I know I don't actually have in my own book collection...but I do remember reading years ago. I just really love the wholesomeness of the plots, the characters...etc.

It’s really interesting how the Peppers’ morals and behaviors hold up when they’re not always with Mamsie or Mr King, especially considering how young they are

This book drove me nuts because I had a crush on Ben when I was a kid and he's pretty much written off for the rest of the series. And I really didn't understand why he couldn't go to school too.

I truly love the little pepper books!!! They're so homey and heartwarming. You can always be sure that the Peppers will behave well and look out for others, that they'll make the best of whatever comes their way, and that you'll put the book down feeling happy and contented. I will never not read their books, and I will eventually acquire them all too.

We've hit eighth in the series, and the Peppers are wealthy, their social position is established, and they're wildly popular. Doesn't leave much scope for drama, especially since the Peppers are both well behaved and touchingly devoted to Mamsie. Gave up somewhere around the middle, with a few skip-aheads. I think I'll re-read the "Five Little Peppers and How They Grew" instead.

2/5. Available on Gutenberg.

I don't have a real problem with this book (besides the normal Victorian perspectives on patronization and race, which I addressed to my children when we encountered them) but I don't really have praises to sing either. The story was a bit disjointed without any apparent destination in mind. We take detours that seem to serve no purpose. The family is kind and want to do right all the time, so it makes for a pleasant read, but there was also a people-pleasing aspect that I want to be cautious about my children internalizing. It does give insight into people and perspectives of the era.

Not the best of the series by far, but some interesting scenes.

X2

Classic children's book from 1904

This book is written in an episodic style, jumping back and forth primarily between Joel Pepper, who is around 13 years old at this point and is an athletic star at boarding school, and Polly Pepper, who is around 15 years old at this time and is extremely popular with all the girls at the private seminary she attends called the Salisbury School.

Of secondary importance in the book are Davy Pepper, who is around 11 at this time, and Phronsie Pepper, who is around 7 or 8 years old, and Mamsie, who has been married to Papa Dr Fisher for a short while and does not have a baby yet. Mr Horatio King, whom the Pepper children call Grandpapa, and Jasper King are much more frequently included in the story, and there are cameos with Jasper's faithful dog, Prince. Sadly, Ben Pepper is hardly ever on stage.

This is a quick, entertaining read for fans of the Pepper children.

I'm not sure if I've finished this one, either. Really, more of the same.

Edit: Looks like I did finish it.