Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the central event of this story is a rather gruesome injury in which a child gets her arm caught in a wringer machine. She then meets other injured children in the hospital. There is some mention of wife abuse, and one parent is an alcoholic. The unabridged audio version is read by Amber Sealey.
Families who read this book could discuss the Italian-American internment. Why was it done? Why was it hidden for so long, unlike the Japanese internment? Why do they hide it from Penny? The book offers resources to find out more about it.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Matt Berman
Beginning with a hideously dull cover meant to evoke children's book covers from the '50s (when all books had, well, hideously dull covers), this is a typical Newbery book -- one that only librarians and their circle of favorite girl readers will love.
The first half is a slooooow but evocative and nostalgic slice of life in a '50s Italian family in suburban New Jersey -- fear of polio, saying "swell," rooting for the Brooklyn Dodgers, eating abundantly, etc. Getting through this part takes patience and real reading experience.
Things pick up in the second half, when a terrible accident occurs and leads to secrets revealed and families reconciled. It's all beautifully written and fascinating (though more to adults than to most kids), and it reveals a true but little-known historical event.
Even though this won the Newbery Honor, put PENNY FROM HEAVEN in the hands of a few right kids, and don't try to force it on the rest.
From The Book
Sometimes I feel like a translator. Mother is always asking me this or that about my father's family, and I have to try to figure out what she means, like it's a different language. Certain things just get her upset. Like when she finds out that the uncles have taken me to Shady Grove Cemetery. I don't know why this bothers her so much; you'd think she'd be happy I visit my father, but it has the opposite effect.
Plot Summary:
Penny's father is long dead, and no one will tell her what happened to him. She lives with her mother and grandparents, who live a rather dull and straitlaced life. But her father's family lives nearby -- grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins -- and they're anything but straitlaced.
Her cousin/best friend, Frankie, wants to be a criminal -- just like his incarcerated father. Penny's Uncle Dominic lives in his car by choice and harbors a sad secret. Her Aunt Gina and her grandmother, Nonny, live in the same house but can't stand each other, so they have separate kitchens. And now, much to Penny's chagrin, her mother is dating the milkman. Penny from Heaven includes an Author's Note, a family album of photos, and resources.
Related Books:
Other Books by Jennifer L. Holm
Our Only May Amelia
The Boston Jane series
The Creek
More Family Stories
The Crying Rocks by Janet Taylor Lisle
Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes
A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin
Kira-kira by Cynthia Kadohata
Silk Umbrellas by Carolyn Marsden
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate Dicamillo
The Mozart Season by Virginia Euwer Wolff
Part of Me: Stories of a Louisiana Family by Kimberly Willis Holt
Related Web Sites
Author's site
Day in the Author's Life
Secret History of Italian-American Internment
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Sexual ContentA kiss. |
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ViolenceA couple of fistfights, a rather gruesome accidental injury, description of a hospital ward with injured children, mention of wife abuse. |
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Social BehaviorA boy wants to be a criminal like his dad. Japanese are referred to as "Japs." |
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CommercialismA beer brand is mentioned. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoAdults smoke cigarettes and cigars; drinking; alcoholic parent; a 12-year-old sips wine. |
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