Title: Penny from Heaven
Author: Jennifer L. Holm
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Copyright: December 26, 2007
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.2
Age Level: 10 - 12 years
DRA: 50
Lexile: 730L
Suggested Delivery: Independent Read or Small Group
Words to describe this book: heartwarming, exciting, engaging, dramatic, sweet
Summary: The heartwarming story of a young girl named Penny who has an enormous Italian family. She has her Uncle Dominic, who lives in a car and is her absolute favorite. Her Nonny, who always forces her to eat more Italian food than her stomach can take. And of course, her mother, Me-Me, and Pop-Pop who she lives with and loves dearly. The only person who Penny knows little about is her father, who passed away before she could meet him. After her father's death, her mother and father's sides of the family rarely communicate and don't like talking about her dad's cause of death. Will Penny ever figure out what happened to her father? Throughout the novel, Penny learns what keeps her family together and what can break them apart.
Key Vocabulary:
Before Reading Activity:
Electronic Resources:
http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/italy/sightseeing
Penny talks a lot about her Italian family and uses many references to different foods and phrases she hears her family say. This website give students an opportunity to have a quick tour of Italy. You can learn about what life is like in Italy, see major places in Italy (such as Florence and Venice), and learn about their native language. This will give students background information on where Penny's father's side of the family originates from.
http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-students/
Throughout the story, World War II is talked about, especially by Penny's Pop-Pop. This website provides information on World War II and the impact it had on people in America. The website includes timelines, bibliographies, and an overview of the war.
Writing Activity:
Author: Jennifer L. Holm
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Copyright: December 26, 2007
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.2
Age Level: 10 - 12 years
DRA: 50
Lexile: 730L
Suggested Delivery: Independent Read or Small Group
Words to describe this book: heartwarming, exciting, engaging, dramatic, sweet
Summary: The heartwarming story of a young girl named Penny who has an enormous Italian family. She has her Uncle Dominic, who lives in a car and is her absolute favorite. Her Nonny, who always forces her to eat more Italian food than her stomach can take. And of course, her mother, Me-Me, and Pop-Pop who she lives with and loves dearly. The only person who Penny knows little about is her father, who passed away before she could meet him. After her father's death, her mother and father's sides of the family rarely communicate and don't like talking about her dad's cause of death. Will Penny ever figure out what happened to her father? Throughout the novel, Penny learns what keeps her family together and what can break them apart.
Key Vocabulary:
- superstitious - of, relating to, or influenced by superstition
- polio - medical: a serious disease that affects the nerves of the spine and often makes a person permanently unable to move particular muscles
- pneumonia - a serious disease that affects the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe
- internment camp - a type of prison or detention, generally in wartime
- orderlies - an attendant in a hospital responsible for the non-medical care of patients and the maintenance of order and cleanliness.
- wringer - a machine used for squeezing water out of clothes that have been washed
Before Reading Activity:
- At the beginning of the book, Penny tells the readers her father came up with her name because of a song by Bing Crosby. Have students listen to the song (link can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IFgC7JhVrM ) and discuss what the book may be about based on this song. Why would he name his daughter after a song? What details do you hear that might be the father's reasoning?
- If possible, bring in a Guest Speaker who participated in World War II or is an Italian American who was apart of the unfair treatment during the 1950's. Have them talk about their experiences. Encourage students to ask questions.
- Throughout the novel, we learn of Penny's huge Italian family. For students to follow the different characters, have them create a character map of both sides of the family. Have them begin with Penny and branch off to the mother's side and the father's side. This will help the student's follow and comprehend Penny's huge family!
- Towards the end of the novel, we find out that Penny's father was in an internment camp that he did not survive. As a class, watch the clip http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/japanese-american-relocation . Students can see clips of Japanese-Americans being put into internment camps, just like Penny's father. On exit slips, have students write a question they have about the internment camps or the book. What did they like about the book? What didn't they like?
Electronic Resources:
http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/italy/sightseeing
Penny talks a lot about her Italian family and uses many references to different foods and phrases she hears her family say. This website give students an opportunity to have a quick tour of Italy. You can learn about what life is like in Italy, see major places in Italy (such as Florence and Venice), and learn about their native language. This will give students background information on where Penny's father's side of the family originates from.
http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-students/
Throughout the story, World War II is talked about, especially by Penny's Pop-Pop. This website provides information on World War II and the impact it had on people in America. The website includes timelines, bibliographies, and an overview of the war.
Writing Activity:
- After learning about World War II through the websites and understanding the culture of Italy, have students write a letter to Penny explaining what was happening. What would be important facts to include? What should Penny know? Encourage student's to put themselves in the shoes of Penny's father. What would he want to say to her?