Penny from Heaven

By Jennifer L. Holm

Penny's summer plans unravel amid family tensions and past prejudices.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 9,918 ratings

304 pages· 46,792 words· Est. 6.5 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

In 1953, Penny dreams of a carefree summer filled with ice cream and baseball. But her plans are thwarted by her mother's fear of polio, a favorite uncle living in a car, and a family divided by past prejudices. As Penny navigates these challenges, she discovers unexpected ways to bring her family together. Set in post-war America, this heartfelt tale explores the bonds that both divide and unite us, revealing the extraordinary within the everyday. Can Penny find harmony amidst the chaos and heal the rifts in her family?

From the publisher

It’s1953 and 11-year-old Penny dreams of a summer of butter pecan ice cream, swimming, and baseball. But nothing’s that easy in Penny’s family. For starters, she can’t go swimming because her mother’s afraid she’ll catch polio at the pool. To make matters worse, her favorite uncle is living in a car. Her Nonny cries every time her father’s name is mentioned. And the two sides of her family aren’t speaking to each other! Inspired by Newbery Honor winner Jennifer Holm’s own Italian American family, “Penny from Heaven “is a shining story about the everyday and the extraordinary, about a time in America’s history, not all that long ago, when being Italian meant that you were the enemy. But most of all, it’s a story about families–about the things that tear them apart and bring them together. And Holm tells it with all the richness and the layers, the love and the laughter of a Sunday dinner at Nonny’s. So pull up a chair and enjoy the feast! Buon appetito!