Customer Reviews

Penny from Heaven

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I work with four other children's librarians in New York City's finest public children's literature collection. One day a co-worker begins to tell me about "Penny From Heaven". She loves it. She adores it. She cannot get enough of it and here, take a copy, cause it's a wonderful wonderful title. I look at it. It's by Jennifer L. Holm, best known at this particular moment in time as the author of "Our Only May Amelia". Holm is one of those rare authors that write a first novel and knock it clean out of the park. Though I never read it, "Amelia" garnered itself some pretty fancy awards, including a highly coveted Newbery Honor. As with every first novelist though, it takes a second and third novel to determine whether or not that author is a star or a one-hit-wonder. At this moment in time, certain librarians all around the country are weeping, laughing, and shrieking in joy over "Penny From Heaven". And admittedly, it is quite a good read.

Penny doesn't have a father, but she has the next best thing. A gigantic Italian-American family with more uncles than she can count and more love than she knows what to do with. When Penny's mother married into the Falucci clan it was a classic case of a WASP out of place. After her father's death, her mother and grandparents do not mingle with her dad's crew and vice-versa. Now Penny's about to turn twelve and all sorts of interesting things are happening. She's beginning to notice boys and to chafe under her mother's overprotective nature. She has a summer job and is getting into more and more trouble with her cousin Frankie. Her dog dies, her hair gets paint stuck in it, and her mother has started to date the least cool fellow in the world: the milkman. When Penny gets involved in a particularly gruesome accident, however, she begins to learn the truth behind her father's mysterious death and to learn a little more about the people who love her so much.

It's interesting to note that there have been a lot of children's books published in 2006 that look back at the early 1950s. There was Guus Kuijer's, "The Book of Everything" and Karen Cushman's drop-dead-gorgeous, "The Loud Silence of Francine Green". Some have speculated that with our current government engaging in wire-taps and scary surveillance measures, authors are looking back at the time of McCarthyism and drawing some distinct parallels. "Penny From Heaven" isn't like that, though. The book takes place in 1953, sure, but its focus is squarely centered on a less publicized atrocity of the era that I'd wager not a lot of adults know a lot about, and certainly not many children. Drawing much of her factual information from Lawrence DiStasi's, "Una Storia Segreta: The Secret History of Italian American Evacuation and Internment During World War II", we learn all about the ways in which Italian Americans were beaten down during the 1940s and even 50s for their country's role in WWII. In Holm's excellent Author's Note we learn that during World War II, "Franklin Roosevelt signed Proclamation 2527, designating 600,000 non-naturalized Italians `enemy aliens'". This sets up the inherent tragedy of the story and the mystery that Penny finds herself unraveling towards its end.

Recently there was a big old brouhaha over a children's book (that shall remain nameless) that talked about an Italian-American family in, what some considered, a derogatory fashion. I think it is safe to say that Holm will never have such an accusation lobbed at her head. With her characters living in New Jersey, it would be easy to fall into the trap of presenting the Italians along stereotypical lines. But there isn't a gangster amongst this crew and what few stereotypes you do find (a grandmother who keeps telling the kids to eat up) are tempered with the clarity of Holm's writing. In many ways the book reads like a tempered version of a Richard Peck novel. There's harmless mischief and kids getting into trouble (i.e. late night treasure hunts, swimming in a public pool, and a dog that sees the world as its bathroom) but somehow it never comes across as rude or crude. Chalk that one up to Holm. I've always maintained that the best books for kids are the ones that stir at least a little humor into their tales, and Holm certainly has gobs of the stuff to spare. Though you wouldn't call, "Penny From Heaven" laugh-out-loud funny, it's consistently amusing and droll. For example, when Penny is getting dressed up for an event and her arm is in a sling, "Frankie has the bright idea of twining flowers all around my sling, which looks sort of fancy, or sort of like something Tarzan would do, depending on how you look at it".

What I can't quite figure out is whether or not this is a book that kids will like as much as adults already do. To answer this I took a quick gander at the reviews of "Our Only May Amelia" as written by children on Amazon. Though there were certainly a couple moans and groans, by and large responses to the book were positive. "Penny From Heaven" also has the added benefit of engaging in Tom Sawyeresque mischief and fun that will strike kids today as amusing. There's a section in this story where Penny gets to go and see a Brooklyn Dodgers game that will strike anyone reading it (even not-so-hot baseball fans like myself) as heavenly.

Many authors have lately been drawing on family histories and their roles in history so as to tell excellent children's books. Like "Penny From Heaven", Sheila P. Moses's, "The Legend of Buddy Bush" was one of the first to include actual photographs of the people that characters in the book were based on. On the Italian-American end of the spectrum, Donna Jo Napoli's, "The King of Mulberry Street" goes a little farther back in time but rests just as squarely on historical record and family legend. Such books usually come across as unusually well-researched and written. "Penny From Heaven" is no exception. A fine fine novel, a great read-aloud, and an in-depth look at a time in history that has gotten too little attention until now. Holm knocks it out of the park again.

Two things struck me as I read Jennifer L. Holm's latest novel, "Penny From Heaven." The first is that I can't believe the 1950s are History (with a capital H). When I was a kid, we dressed up for 50s day or for Halloween to make fun of our parents. To make fun of me, my kids are going to have to dress like Depeche Mode or Madonna or the like. The second thing, most relevant to the following review, is that "Penny From Heaven" is a story that really sneaks up on you. It starts out quietly and then, wow...hang on for the ride!

Eleven-year-old Penny's summer begins as most summers have before. She lives at home with her mother and grandparents. The house is quiet, mom works long hours as a secretary, and Penny's grandparents are slightly eccentric. Me-me (Grandma) is kind, but a horrible cook who favors wholesome "American" food like meatloaf and liver. Pop-pop (Grandpa) is given to inappropriate comments and overestimating his plumbing abilities.

Fortunately, Penny has her deceased father's siblings, cousins, mothers, nephews, nieces, aunts and uncles to spoil her, feed her, and employ her in the family store. They're a large, Italian-American family with lots of love, food, kids and quarrels. But the Faluccis have something in common with Penny's other family--they won't tell her the secret about her father's death. Everyone--from her mom's family to her father's--gives Penny a vague answer: Penny's father died in a hospital.

Penny spends her summer hanging out, playing baseball, and delivering groceries with her cousin and best friend, Frankie, a twelve-year-old boy on the verge of real trouble with the law. She's having a good time until something dramatic happens. Her mother begins dating. And not just anybody...She begins dating Mr. Mulligan, the milkman.

All these threads come together in a dramatic conclusion that had me reading over the chaos of three boys stomping and screaming through the house (average age: 6). "Penny From Heaven" is one of those stories that will stay with me a long time. Highly recommended for children ages 8-14.

Penny from Heaven is one of the most comforting books I have enjoyed in a long time. The cover art echoes the time period of the 1950s. Penny is a beloved child. Her father is dead and no one will really explain the circumstances surrounding his death but she is surrounded by an extended family of grandparents, aunts and uncles who love her and care for her. She and her Uncle Dominic share a passion for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Her slightly deliquent cousin Frankie is her best friend. Her dog, Scarlett O'Hara is a un-house-broken-nightmare.

When her mother begins dating again, Penny's secure world begins to tilt. A terrible accident brings family secrets to light but then allows Penny and her mother to move on.

This is not a novel with sweeping action sequences. It is a warm and gentle read about family.

Fans of books like Pam Munoz Ryan's Esperanza Rising and Holm's earlier book, Our Only May Amelia will especially enjoy this read.

Since both my sets of grandparents came from Italy, I'm usually wary of books that contain Italian families; they are either ga-ga over the Mafia or do not seem authentic. I was in love with Penny's wonderful Italian family immediately; I knew all these people in my own family. My dad's mother even did her cooking at a gas-converted coal stove in the basement because it was cooler in summer and she didn't want to "mess up" the nice kitchen upstairs! The food (sfogliatelles!), the homes, the loving uncles, the men torn between pleasing their mothers or their wives, the one male cousin who's always in trouble, Grandma dressed in black making homemade macaroni and homemade gravy (not "pasta" and "sauce," which are "Med-i-gone" terms!)...wow, it took me all back. Holm has the early 50s atmosphere down pat...I wished I could open a door and go back to meet all her characters, visit the Sweet Shoppe and the family butcher shop, and listen to "Dem Bums" on the radio. I also was drawn into the growing mystery about Penny's father, which exposes a chapter in history that most people have never heard of. I'm glad I decided to purchase this book; if you are Italian, this is a must have.

Penny from Heaven is set in 1953 in a neighborhood somewhere near New York City. It's the story of Penny Falucci, who turns 12 that summer. Penny's story is based on tales from Jennifer Holm's Italian-American relatives, and carries a ring of authenticity. Penny's father died when she was a baby, under mysterious circumstances, and she lives with her mother and "plain old American" grandparents. She also spends time with her father's large, boisterous Italian family. She is especially close to her engaging scamp of a cousin, Frankie, and her reclusive uncle Dominic (who lives primarily in his car, and wears bedroom slippers most of the time).

Penny lives in an oddly fractured world. Her life with her mother and grandparents is both different and separate from her time with her father's family. Her father's family is more colorful and lively, and the food that they eat is much, much tastier. And her uncles buy her presents all the time. There's a poignant scene in which her Uncle Dominic gives her Dodgers tickets for the game on her birthday (her first game ever), and she begs off of her mother's carefully planned celebration. What's wonderful about the scene is that Jennifer Holm conveys both Penny's 12-year-old longing and excitement, and her mother's wistful resignation.

I'm not generally a fan of stories that are episode driven, rather than being plot-driven. However, I will make exceptions for characters that I really like (e.g Anne of Green Gables), and/or truly excellent writing (e.g. the Melendy books by Elizabeth Enright). Both of these exceptions (engaging writing and characterization) apply to Penny from Heaven. Also, there is an ongoing mystery concerning the death of Penny's father, and some suspense concerning Penny's mother's possible remarriage, and the fate of young Frankie.

But what really makes this book special to me is that the characterization is detailed and realistic. I especially enjoyed Frankie, with his schemes and risk-taking, and his hidden vulnerability. Penny's grandfather is also entertaining, burping without restraint, and pretending to be hard of hearing. Her Italian grandmother, Nonny, cooks all the time, fights with her daughter-in-law, only speaks Italian, and always wears black. I can imagine readers thinking that she's a bit of a stereotype, but I personally thought that she was dead on. I also liked the former dancer, Aunt Gina, and the generous, yet powerful, Uncle Nunzio.

The other nice thing about this book is that it's a snapshot of life in the 1950s. Penny isn't allowed to swim in the public pool or go to the movies, for fear that she'll catch polio, and end up in iron lung. World War II is still casting a shadow over people's lives. Penny's relatives speak English instead of Italian, because speaking Italian was a mark of suspicion during the war. Her maternal grandfather continues to shed tears over death of his nephew, a pilot shot down during the war. The little things stand out, too: the way that Penny and Frankie know everyone in the area, both by name and by history, and the fact that the butcher shop and the milkman deliver.

Penny from Heaven has an old-fashioned feel, focusing on somewhat quirky characters, and mostly ordinary life events. There's much for an adult like myself to love about this book: the writing, the pathos, the suspense, the humor. I'll be interested to see if kids like it, too. I hope that do. I'll certainly recommend it to them.

This book review was originally published on my blog, Jen Robinson's Book Page, on October 14, 2006.

Being a Newbery Honor book, I had to give this book a read. I definitely wasn't disappointed! This was a beautifully written coming-of-age story that children and young adults will be able to enjoy for years to come. Jennifer Holm, author of the Newbery Award winning book, Our May Amelia, is back with another lovely book about children growing up faster than they should have too, but enjoying themselves on the journey.

Penny, a half-Italian girl living with her mother and grandparents in New Jersey, longs to know more about what happened to her father. Her died when she was very young and her mother never speaks of him. The only time Penny is able to hear his name mentioned is when she is over at her Italian grandparents house, where her myriad of Aunts, Uncles, and cousins never fail to talk about her dad. Penny loves spending time in this boisterous household where food is always delicious and her best friend and cousin Frankie spends most of his time.

Unfortunately, Penny's mother doesn't get along with her in-laws and doesn't like Penny spending all of her time over there. As her mother begins dating, Penny tries to break up the dates in order to matchmake between her mother and her father's brother, Dominic. Penny, more than anything, wants her two families to love each other as she loves them. After a tragic accident that puts the use of Penny's arm in jeopardy, the true colors of her family members really begin to shine.

Set in the 1950's this book is so much more than family problems. It has exciting baseball games, friendships, and a mystery of buried treasure. The characters are incredibly real and lovable. Uncle Dominic was probably my favorite of the cast, because of his quirkiness and mystery. This is a true gem of a book.

She is a lot like alice, a girl in anothr book I like very much, only her mother died insted of her father. Pennie is very kind, and a little bit funny and a little bit sad. I like the way she thinks things over. I think I might read it again, if my sister will let me borrow it again. If I can think of something to trade. Books are like gold and chocolate around my house, people keep it for themselves. If you are thinking of buying this book, do it. You'll love it.

I don't know where to begin with this book, except to say it's wonderful, and you should read it. It's about a lot of things - a girl named Penny, her Italian relatives, the Dodgers, and butter pecan ice cream. It really makes you stop and think of how much research the author must've done to write this book, because you feel like you're right there in the 50's along with all the characters. Like it's happening now. It made me laugh a little and cry a little, and smile a whole lot.

Every time it rains, it rains
Pennies from heaven.
Don't you know each cloud contains
Pennies from heaven.
Trade them for a package of
Sunshine and flowers.
If you want the things you love,
You must have showers.
So when you hear it thunder,
Don't run under a tree.
There'll be pennies from heaven for you and me.
~From "Pennies from Heaven" by John Burke and Arthur Johnston

PENNY FROM HEAVEN, a new offering by author Jennifer L. Holm, is an excellent pick for middle grade readers. Set in the early 1950's, it tells a story of everyday life and rich Italian heritage.

Penny lives with her mother and her grandparents. At the start of the novel, she's almost twelve. Most of her time is spent hanging out in the neighborhood with her cousin and best friend, Frankie.

Bike riding would be fun, but Penny's bike was unfortunately backed over in the driveway. Going swimming in the city pool or taking in an afternoon matinee sounds like quality entertainment, but Penny's mom believes those places are breeding grounds for the dreaded polio everyone seems to be contracting. That doesn't leave much to do, but Penny and Frankie always seem to find something to get into. It might be an attempt to fix the leaky toilet that turns into a major repair job, or the secret mission to discover if great-grandma Nonny wears black underwear to match her old-fashioned black dresses.

Penny is surrounded by tons of Italian aunts and uncles, but she misses her father. His death years ago is still shrouded in mystery, one that Penny seems unable to uncover. Her mother is becoming interested in Mr. Mulligan, the milkman. Penny's attempts to pair her mother up with favorite Uncle Dominic fail miserably.

Day-to-day life is pretty predictable for Penny and her family until the unthinkable happens. After a tragic accident, Penny finds herself making plans for a very different life. Readers' emotions will be tested as Penny's story unfolds.

Jennifer L. Holm is also known for Newbery Honor book Our Only May Amelia (Harper Trophy Books) and her Boston Jane Series: An Adventure series, which is my personal favorite.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

This is a quick read for adults, but has a powerful story to tell to it's audience. I am 5th grade teacher and am ordering a Literature Circle set to use for a group of young girls in my classroom. This story is full of details which I as an Italian American can relate to. It's interesting to learn about the history given at the end (few pages) about how Italian Americans were treated during WWII in America. It's nice to see Multicultural Literature that discusses the Italian heritage. LOVE this book!