Penny from Heaven
Encyclopedia
Penny from Heaven is a children's novel
that was named a Newbery Honor book in 2007. It was written by Jennifer L. Holm
, the author of another Newbery Honor book, Our Only May Amelia and first published by Random House
.
in the year 1953. Protagonist Penny Falucci is an eleven-year-old girl who lives with her widowed mother and grandparents. Since the death of Penny's father, Mrs. Falucci shuns his big Italian-American family, but she won't give Penny a good reason. Penny loves that side of the family and spends as much time with them as she can. After an accident that puts her in the hospital for several weeks, Penny learns the truth about her father, his death, and how it tore apart the two halves of her family.
Penny's mother won't let her go to the movies or the pool, for fear of her catching polio. Her favorite uncle is living in a car and on top of it all, her mother is dating the milkman, Mr. Mulligan. In the end, Mulligan professes his love for Penny's mother after Penny agrees on his marriage to her mother,and they get married after Penny's terrible accident. She ends up living as a "normal" twelve-year-old in New Jersey.
", and the author alludes to the song severaltimes in each chaptters
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
that was named a Newbery Honor book in 2007. It was written by Jennifer L. Holm
Jennifer L. Holm
- Biography :Holm was raised in Audubon, Pennsylvania with her four brothers. After graduating from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, she worked in television and later began to write...
, the author of another Newbery Honor book, Our Only May Amelia and first published by Random House
Random House
Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
.
Plot introduction
The book is set in New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
in the year 1953. Protagonist Penny Falucci is an eleven-year-old girl who lives with her widowed mother and grandparents. Since the death of Penny's father, Mrs. Falucci shuns his big Italian-American family, but she won't give Penny a good reason. Penny loves that side of the family and spends as much time with them as she can. After an accident that puts her in the hospital for several weeks, Penny learns the truth about her father, his death, and how it tore apart the two halves of her family.
Penny's mother won't let her go to the movies or the pool, for fear of her catching polio. Her favorite uncle is living in a car and on top of it all, her mother is dating the milkman, Mr. Mulligan. In the end, Mulligan professes his love for Penny's mother after Penny agrees on his marriage to her mother,and they get married after Penny's terrible accident. She ends up living as a "normal" twelve-year-old in New Jersey.
Title
The title of the book refers to the song "Pennies from HeavenPennies from Heaven (song)
"Pennies from Heaven" is a 1936 American popular song with music by Arthur Johnston and words by Johnny Burke. It was introduced by Bing Crosby in the 1936 film of the same name...
", and the author alludes to the song severaltimes in each chaptters