The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book IV audiobook

The writing in this series is so clever. In this fourth installment, there is much ado about birds. The chicken coop at Ms. Lumley's alma mater becomes the setting for many scenes. One of my favorites is the fact that the chickens have been taught three dances: 1) The Waltz, 2) The Quadrille, and (wait for it) 3) The Hokey Pokey. You didn't think I was going to say it was the Chicken Dance, did you? There is also a scene where two of the chickens are disguised, not dipped in paprika. Good thing the goulash has already prepared for the big dinner. Early on the Incorrigibles become enthralled with the fall of Rome after discovering the tomes of Gibbons on the nursery bookshelves. If anyone mentions Rome, they call out "Fall of Rome" and then enact the tragedy. All of this occurring whilst Penelope is trying to save her beloved school from the clutches of Edward Ashton and his evil trustee cohorts. Can't wait for the next one! One small note about the audio version: the voices for the children were a bit difficult to adjust to -- very screechy. In the end, I still found this to be a delightful production.

If you follow my ratings at all you will notice that I rarely give out five stars. Librarians are constantly asked by parents for a series for their child who is an advanced reader. But they don't want content that is too advanced for a younger child. I offer the "Incorrigible Children" as a wonderful alternative!The Interrupted Tale book art Amazingly pithy, very complex, layered with mystery, and lots of detail for advanced readers. This is an amazing series, but be warned... there are SIX books in this series, I didn't know that until now, so I've been frustrated with the non-conclusions conclusions of each story. While Wood does an fantastic job of bringing some of the mysteries in the plot to a close, she is really adept at keeping the larger questions still unanswered. She writes so well for the 8-12 age group, but anyone would really love these stories. They would even be completely appropriate for a 6 or 7 year old read a loud! Each chapter would even make a great bed time story. In other words, everyone should be reading these books! I devoured this book in a few days and am already counting down to the next one.The fourth installment has Ms. Lumley and the children traveling to the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, which happens to be Ms. Lumley's alma mater. While at the academy Ms. Lumley, with the help of the Incorrigibles of course, find out more about the mysterious Judge Quimby, and have also gained the trust of Lord Ashton. But just as all the pieces of the larger mystery come together, people start disappearing again! A perfect book for readers of Mr. Popper's Penguins, Mary Poppins, and Lemony Snicket.

Waited so long for this installment and just wished all the answers were answered! Sigh!

"Do your best before lunch and do your best after lunch. During lunch have a sandwich" -Agatha-

LOVE these books. We are going to miss this series when it's done. It just get better and better. We love to guess all the mysteries. I love how it's so educational.... Teaching kids about geography, science, literature, English, and history in a fun way.

I cannot get enough of this series. I love the Incorrigibles so very much, and I'm already eager for the next book!

This fourth book barely revealed any more of the mystery. If you’re looking for a fast drive with zippy plot twists and turns, this series is not for you. It’s a slow Sunday stroll in no hurry to get where it’s going. I don’t mind. There’s a lot to enjoy along the way, particularly the classical references and witty turns of phrase.

3.5I'm rating up for this book because, even though it has some flaws, this series is just a joy to read.Anyway - We continue to story of Lumawoo and the Incorrigible children, and the plot thickens as some secrets get revealed and some only get hinted out, but with possible dire consequences.This one seemed to focus more on Penelope than the kids, which is fine in a way since she's the protagonist even though the series is named after the kids - but I also kept thinking it was a good thing she had backup in this one, because I'm not sure what she would've done if she didn't have help taking care of the kids while she was off solving mysteries and things!I also think she could've included them more, but understand why she wouldn't want to.Also - we need more Simon!I thought Ashton's reveal was a bit anti-climatic, but I loved the idea of the (view spoiler)[howling lessons with Cassie (hide spoiler)]. And it was nice to see Lady Ashton actually develop a bit as a person. Well, sort of - but, ya know, small steps and all.I'm also very intrigued to see what dastardly scheme 'Quinzy' has up his sleeve, and what his menacing parting words will mean.Duh duh DUH!!!This series isn't without flaws, but it really is just a pleasure to slip into the world. Very much looking forward to the next in the series - though I am hoping the mystery doesn't get endlessly drawn out. While I'd be sad to see the series end, I also feel like we're coming close to a conclusion. I guess we'll see.

The fun continues in this 4th book in the series. Miss Lumley (Lumawoo) is invited to speak at CAKE, an alumni event at her beloved Swanburne, so she packs up the Incorrigibles and they all go spend some time at the school. Miss Lumley is shocked to find that things have changed for the worse at Swanburne, and her efforts to set things right involve much plotting. Plot twists ensue! Revelations of long-standing unknowns are looming large by the end of the book, but many questions still not completely answered. I'm getting a little bit tired of not having it all fully revealed just yet, but I do love this series so much, and Agatha Swanburne's little proverbs continue to be a hoot! I'd like to embroider a few of them on some pillows myself.

This is the best yet in the series. Iambic pentameter and ferns: so great.

Love this series more with each book! I want to hang out with the author-I feel like we could be friends.

These books are so wholesome and cute, I can't stop

Though some parts felt like a filibuster, I love reading this spunky series aloud. Somehow, every word (and there are a lot of them!) rolls off the tongue. I appreciate that these are age appropriate AND that they offer clever witticisms and pithy gems for young and less young alike! I relish the references to Latin, mythology, science (we also have been studying pteridophytes!) and plan to look up the poems: William Blake’s Tyger, as well as Longfellow’s Wreck of the Hesperus. What the series lacks in plot pacing, it makes up for in charm and read-aloud magic.