Module 5 Book Review #3: Penny from Heaven

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*This book review was written for a MLS course at SHSU.*

 Image result for penny from heaven

 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Holm, Jennifer L. (2006). PENNY FROM HEAVEN. New York, NY: Random House
Children’s Books. ISBN 9780375836893

PLOT SUMMARY
It’s after World War II, and Penny is a young girl who makes sure that she spends enough time
with both sides of her family in New Jersey. Her father passed away a while back, leaving her
currently living with her mother and her maternal grandparents. However, she is fairly close to
her dad’s Italian side of the family, especially her cousin Frankie and Uncle Dominic. She has
different family expectations from both sides, which sometimes causes several problems. It
wasn’t until Penny accidentally gets hurts and placed in the hospital when she finds out the truth
about the separation of the families and how her father’s death happened.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Penny from Heaven heavily stresses the importance of family, especially in a time in need. Both sides of Penny’s family make sure she is well taken care of, in which the reader can feel the amount of support she receives. Traditions were noted in the story, such as when Penny’s wholeentire Italian family would meet up and hang out all day to prepare for a huge family dinner. Events and traditions such as this one helps show how much Penny appreciates what everybody in the family does for her.

Also, Holm added in how many people still viewed Italians as “enemies” during that time. This was to demonstrate how the discrimination was definitely present, but not necessarily the most obvious. The tragic event that happened to her father was due to the fact that he was wrongly accused and judged because he was Italian. Stereotypes were still being created, which madePenny’s family more cautious over what they did while mourning the loss of one of their very own.

 Lastly, the black and white photographs placed in the back of the novel are a real nice touch toHolm’s work. Yes, Penny from Heaven is classified as historical nonfiction; however, the eventswere actually influenced by Holm’s real-life family members. Just like how the detailed storydid, the pictures allow the reader to see how the Penny in the author’s family was close to bothsides of her family. In other words, the visuals really helped with the story’s authenticity.

 REVIEW EXCERPTS
*Newbery Honor Book 
*Review from Booklist:"Holm impressively wraps pathos with comedy in this coming-of-age
story, populated by a cast of vivid characters."
*Review from School Library Journal: "Penny and her world are clearly drawn and eminently believable."*Review from Kirkus Reviews: "Penny's present-tense narration is both earthy and observant,
and her commentary on her families' eccentricities sparkles."

CONNECTIONS
*Students can create a family tree and identify the various characteristics of all of the members,similar to how Penny’s were described in the story.*Students can participate in a whole class discussion over the Italian-American interment.
*Students can analyze the song “Pennies from Heaven”. The lyrics are at the beginning of thebook, but the teachers/librarians can find the audio to go with the reading. After analyzing the song, students can compare it to the characters/events that occurred in the novel.

 PICTURE SOURCE
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/penny-from-heaven-by-jennifer-l-holm/

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