Tools for this page
Print

Penny from Heaven

(2006, Fiction - Historical Fiction, Written by Jennifer Holm)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Slow but intriguing Newbery Honor book.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A boy wants to be a criminal like his dad. Japanese are referred to as "Japs."
  • Violence:

    A couple of fistfights, a rather gruesome accidental injury, description of a hospital ward with injured children, mention of wife abuse.
  • Sex:

    A kiss.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    A beer brand is mentioned.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Adults smoke cigarettes and cigars; drinking; alcoholic parent; a 12-year-old sips wine.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Penny from Heaven

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.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about 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.

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you read it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Penny from Heaven?
  •  I think this book is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Read Penny From Heaven

    It is a great book. There are some sad parts, but that's okay!What's a book without some emotions?

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Tech Tip

    Protecting privacy is a bigger issue than predators.Beyond Safety

    Protecting privacy is a bigger issue than predators.

  • Book of the Week

    Shiver

    Shiver

    Does for werewolves what Twilight did for vampires.

  • Pick of the Week

    Online Homework Help

    Online Homework Help

    Best Online Homework Helpers

  • Game of the Week

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Fun movie-based action game has constant but mild violence.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy