Penny From Heaven
by Jennifer Holm
It's 1953 and Penny dreams of a fun-filled summer, but that's hard to accomplish in Penny's family. Inspired by the author's own Italian American family, this moving story touches on the everyday and the extraordinary, and shines a light on a time in America's recent past when being Italian meant that you were the enemy. More than anything, it's about the things that tear families apart and the things that bring them together.
Booklist called the book "languidly paced", and suggested that it would probably be most appealing to those who "appreciate gentle, episodic tales with a nostalgic flavor."
Awards Won by this book
- Newbery Honor Book WINNER 2007
- American Library Association Notable Children’s Book 2007
- International Reading Association Notable Books for a Global Society 2007
- New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing 2007
Reading Levels for this book
Interest
Level: Gr. 5-8 DRA Level: 50 Lexile Measure: 730L
Grade Equivalent: 5.2 Guided Reading: T
Book Covers Available
There are several book covers available for this book. They are all adorable!
