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john2022's review against another edition
2.0
the first 80% was boring, I don't understand what's going on, and what's the point. and the last 20% was very good. the last part was warm and loving. it's a good ending, I enjoy the last part.
roseleaf24's review against another edition
3.0
This book took a while to get going for me. The character building was wonderful, but the plot didn't take off until the last fifty pages. I was really frustrated by the main character's mother, as well. She had been through a lot, but the secrecy was such a problem.
tsundokued's review against another edition
4.0
There was a certain scenario in the book which is very cliche, and the way that scenario ends is also very cliche, and it ended that way in this book too. I didn't feel very bad about it, though, because the ending was written in a not cliche manner, and that ind of made up for it.
I also thought I'd mention that though the edition I've marked as read is the ebook version, I read the paperback version which the same cover page.
I also thought I'd mention that though the edition I've marked as read is the ebook version, I read the paperback version which the same cover page.
mlejmeyer's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book and will be adding it to my suggestions for great historical fiction for literature circles.
justicepirate's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great book to read to pre-teens/early aged teens (or they can read it themselves).
This book is based off of the author's own mother's family and situations that took place in the 1950s (and 40s, since much talk is brought up about elements that occurred during WWII).
Penny is 11, almost 12. She doesn't know much about her father, as he died when she was yet to be born. How did he die? Why doesn't her mom seem to ever want to talk about him?
Penny's dad's family are Italian immigrants and some of his siblings were born in the US. She loves hanging around her family. They all live in New Jersey (like me) and so you get a sense of a feel of what that is like. Penny loves the Brooklyn Dodgers (Dem Bums) and pecan ice cream. She hangs around with her cousin Frankie a lot, who is her best friend.
There were definitely some elements in this book that very young kids wouldn't understand. You may have to talk about different things that took place back then like Polio, WWII, what a wringer is, and about internment camps.
The story was really fun and sometimes sad too. It had a lot of emotion throughout it and was wonderful! We all loved it! At the end of the book, she gives information about her family with photos, which I loved sharing with my boys too.
This book is based off of the author's own mother's family and situations that took place in the 1950s (and 40s, since much talk is brought up about elements that occurred during WWII).
Penny is 11, almost 12. She doesn't know much about her father, as he died when she was yet to be born. How did he die? Why doesn't her mom seem to ever want to talk about him?
Penny's dad's family are Italian immigrants and some of his siblings were born in the US. She loves hanging around her family. They all live in New Jersey (like me) and so you get a sense of a feel of what that is like. Penny loves the Brooklyn Dodgers (Dem Bums) and pecan ice cream. She hangs around with her cousin Frankie a lot, who is her best friend.
There were definitely some elements in this book that very young kids wouldn't understand. You may have to talk about different things that took place back then like Polio, WWII, what a wringer is, and about internment camps.
The story was really fun and sometimes sad too. It had a lot of emotion throughout it and was wonderful! We all loved it! At the end of the book, she gives information about her family with photos, which I loved sharing with my boys too.
emromc's review against another edition
3.0
It was a nice read for a long car drive...took me a little over two hours, probably, and it kept me turning pages. I'm not sure if I would have read it so fast if I hadn't been stuck in a car for six hours, but it was cute and well done. I loved the Italian family members and the little bit of mystery surrounding Penny's father's disappearance. She's a likable protagonist, and the book moved along nicely despite being one of those that doesn't really have a plot, per-say. Her character develops nicely, and the story doesn't ever drag except for maybe a little in the beginning when I was wondering if there was going to be a "plottable" story line. As soon as I realized there wasn't going to be I settled down to enjoy the coming-of-age mini-stories. Worthy of the newbery honor, in my opinion.
mysticdreamer's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book so much! It's a great story written beautifully.
amibunk's review against another edition
4.0
Middle-grade historical fiction can be a slippery slope of anachronistic errors and overt sentimentality. Fortunately, Penny From Heaven avoids these problems with warm, larger than life characters, a nicely balanced storyline, and a sunny, but realistic, tone.
Best of all, I loved that the main character Penny isn't written to be wiser than her twelve years of age, nor is she a dumbed down imitation of a child. Jennifer L. Holm really gets (and nicely portrays) how an actual twelve year old, tom-boy acts and speaks.
Finally, unlike many Newberry contenders, Penny From Heaven is actually written for children- not adults. While grown-ups can (and should) enjoy this novel, it is not a polished, overly crafted book that caters to them.
Best of all, I loved that the main character Penny isn't written to be wiser than her twelve years of age, nor is she a dumbed down imitation of a child. Jennifer L. Holm really gets (and nicely portrays) how an actual twelve year old, tom-boy acts and speaks.
Finally, unlike many Newberry contenders, Penny From Heaven is actually written for children- not adults. While grown-ups can (and should) enjoy this novel, it is not a polished, overly crafted book that caters to them.
beths0103's review against another edition
4.0
Jenni Holm just knows how to write a historical fiction with memorable characters. Who could forget May Amelia from Our Only May Amelia, Turtle and The Diaper Gang from Turtle in Paradise, and now Penny, Uncle Dominic, Frankie, and Mr. Mulligan from Penny from Heaven. Loved it!