Fennimore, Keith J. Booth Tarkington.

New York: Twayne, 1974. This book provides an excellent general introduction to Tarkington's life and works.

Martine, James J., ed. Dictionary of Literary Biography. Vol 9, American Novelists, 1910-1945. Detroit: Gale Research, 1981. Article on Tarkington concludes that the Penrod stories represent one of his chief accomplishments.

Seelye, John D. "That Marvelous Boy— Penrod Once Again." Virginia Quarterly Review 37 (Autumn 1961): 591-604.

Provides an excellent analysis suitable for older readers.

Woodress, James. Booth Tarkington: Gentleman from Indiana. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1955. This biography is the best study of the life of Booth Tarkington.