What's It All About?
11-year-old Penny's family is far from normal in the summer of 1953. No one mentions her father, her Uncle lives in his car with a perfectly good house right in front of him, and her mom won't speak to any of her dad's Italian family. When Penny gets hurt, she overhears something startling about her dad. Could it really be true? What did being Italian in America during the 50s REALLY mean?
What'd I Think?
Holm's depiction of the off-the-wall family raising Penny was flawless. She gets you invested in them to the point of feeling like you are a part of the family as well. I ugly sobbed towards the end. I had no idea that things like this happened to Italian families not so long ago in American history.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars!
What'd They Think?
Publishers Weekly
(August 28, 2006; 9780375936876)
Newbery Honor author Holm (Our
Only May Amelia) conjures a nostalgic 1953 New Jersey summer in this novel with
a plucky 11-year-old narrator at its center. Penny divides her time between two
extremes: her overprotective single mother (who is "afraid of just about
everything that involves fun") and the maternal grandparents with whom she
lives, and her deceased father's colorful Italian family. Despite her passion
for the Brooklyn Dodgers and gentle comic voice, Penny emerges primarily as an
observer witnessing the antics of her more zany relatives, including her
favorite uncle Dominic who lives in his car, her scheming cousin Frankie (who
doubles as her best friend) and her perennially black-clad grandmother Nonny,
who lives to feed people and feuds with her daughter-in-law, an ex-Rockette. In
the conflict between Penny and her mother's beau, the narrative offers a fresh take
on a familiar plight. The relaxed pace picks up after an accident lands Penny
in the hospital and she overhears a rumor about her father. Holm includes
telling historical details, including information about WWII Italian internment
camps and how Penny's mother will not allow her to swim in a public pool or
visit a movie theater because of the risk of polio. Readers will enjoy
observing Penny's growth, how she mediates a peace among her family members and
offers a glimmer of heaven. Ages 8-12. (Aug.)
Booklist
(April 15, 2006; 9780375936876)
Gr. 5-8. Penny lives with her
plain old American mother and grandparents, but she has an open invitation to
visit her deceased father's Italian family, where the delicious aromas are as
inviting as the boisterous relatives who welcome her. Against the backdrop of
these contrasting 1950s households, the author of Newbery Honor Book Our Only
May Amelia (1999) charts the summer of Penny's twelfth birthday, marked by hapless
episodes as well as serious tensions arising from the estranged families'
refusal to discuss her father's death. Penny is a low-key character, often
taking a backseat role in escapades with high-spirited cousin Frankie. However,
Holm impressively wraps pathos with comedy in this coming-of-age story,
populated by a cast of vivid characters (a burping, farting grandpa; an
eccentric uncle who lives in his car--not exactly normal for people in New
Jersey ). Concluding with a photo-illustrated endnote explaining Holm's
inspirations in family history, this languidly paced novel will appeal most to
readers who appreciate gentle, episodic tales with a nostalgic flavor. Hand
selling may be necessary to overcome the staid jacket illustration. --Jennifer
Mattson Copyright 2006 Booklist
What Do I Do With It?
Penny carries a magic/lucky bean with her everywhere she goes. What do the students imagine the bean looks like based on any descriptions from the book and filling in the rest with their imagination. They will create a bean in this image using air-dry clay and paint.
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