 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Penny from Heaven
- By Jennifer L. Holm
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Slow but intriguing Newbery Honor book.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's the story?
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.
Is it any good?
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 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.
What 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.
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AGE
A Fantastic Read For Teen Girls
I read this book as a fifth-grader, and I absolutely loved it then. Now, as an eighth grader, I still pull this book of my shelf every once in a while, and I enjoy it just as much as I did when I experienced it for the first time. Penny From Heaven is a must read for girls.
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AGE
just right for 10-12 year olds.
I thought it was cute. It peerfectly described life foe italian-american families in the late 50's, and was a deligthful read
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AGE
GOOD BOOK!
It's a good book, but I don't think that anyone under the age of 11 should read it because the story is about an 11 year old girl so younger kids may not understand it, however, it is great for all ages above.
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AGE
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?
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Kid, 11 years old
October 29, 2011
AGE
A Very Well Written Book
I love this book so much!But I don't even know if the story is real or not because at some of the last pages of the book there were old photos of the characters in the story.A delightful read for anyone.
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AGE
BEST BOOK EVER!
LOVE IT! THIS IS TOTALLY THE BEST BOOK EVER! YOU HAVE GOT TO READ IT! AND THE INAPPROPRIATE STUFF UP THERE, THOSE ARE ALL LITTLE DETAILS! THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING SCARY OR BAD!! YOU HAVE GOT TO READ IT!
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AGE
Wow
i LOVE this book. It is a wonderful book that takes place in 1953. A must read. Seriously I'm not kidding. Very beautiful story.
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AGE
FOR ANYONEEEEEEE!
I LOVE IT! DEFINATELLY ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ IN MUY LIFE! OR IF NOT, THE BEST! I WOULD RECOMEND IT TO ANYBODY! AND ABOUT THE VIOLENCE? WHATTA HECK?! OKAY NOT LIKE YOUR KIDS ARE GONNA BE STUPID ENOUGH TO ACCTUALLY DO ANYTHING THAT IS IN THE BOOK! AND IF THEY DO THEY ARE MENTALLY STUPID(:
THIS BOOK IS GREAT(;
READ OR ILL CUT YOU! :D
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| Author: | Jennifer L. Holm |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Historical Fiction |
| Publisher: | Random House |
| Publication date: | July 1, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 274 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 8 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 9 |
| Read alone: | 10 |
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