Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm

Genre - Historical fiction

Rating - 4.5/5

Age group recommendation - Grades 4-8

The Scoop - Penny lives for baseball, her Italian grandmother's cooking, and getting into trouble with her cousin Frankie.  Her Italian heritage is the cause of great joy in her life and the cause of great mystery.

The Story - I like this book because it's a different look at wartime discrimination than is usually discussed.  It seems that Japanese internment is mentioned more frequently than what happened to many Italians.  It was also refreshing to read a book about issues from the 50s that kids still face today...their parents won't let them do anything, step-parents, conflict between different sides of the family, generally getting into trouble, and being kept in the dark about important things.  There are also modern parallels to some of the issues specific to the 50s - fear of polio/aids, suspicion of Italians/Muslims.  I think kids reading this book would find plenty of ways to identify with the characters.  The eccentric characters, like Uncle Dominic, keep the book interesting and a little off beat.  

 

There are also many ways to use this book in lessons.  The story is jam-packed with interesting issues without feeling like there is too much going on (as in Feathers).  The overall story is cohesive and flows so well that the reader almost doesn't notice that there is so much to learn from the text. 

Educational applications

Georgia Performance Standards 

ELA6C1
Grade: 6
Description: ELA6C1 The student demonstrates understanding and control of the rules of the English language, realizing that usage involves the appropriate application of conventions and grammar in both written and spoken formats.

MSCD7-4
Grade: 6,7,8
Description: MSCD7-4 Students will recognize the impact of societal issues on their ability to function effectively in a diverse and changing world.

Activities 

From BookNotes Educators Guide.  The classroom teacher discusses how the story is based on the author's family and their experiences.  Students bring in a family picture or item that has special significance.  Students use the media center to research what was happening in the world at the time the photo was taken or when the item was acquired or made.  Students then write the story of the picture or item using a combination of family history and world history. Students should note how world events affected their families.

Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm New York : Random House Children's Books, c2006
Copy from Atlanta Fulton County Library