Penny from Heaven

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Penny from Heaven (2006) 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.

[edit] Plot introduction

The book is set in New Jersey 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 and they get married after Penny's terrible accident. In this awe telling story you are able to experience the life of an Italian girl living during this time.

The title of the book refers to the song Pennies from Heaven, and the author makes allusion to the song several times.