Synopses & Reviews
“She still hasnt gotten over that Easter Bunny letter,” said Zozo.“So what?” said Penina. “If my parents want me to go to Peekskill, what can Ms. Anderson do? Kidnap me?”
“No,” said Zozo. “She cant kidnap you, but she can flunk you.”
Penina Levine has a bossy best friend, a tattletale sister, crazy parents, and a big, fat zero on her school assignment to write a letter as the Easter Bunny. It was a stupid assignment, completely impossible, totally unfair. Peninas never going to do it—not ever—and its no use telling her parents about it. They never listen to her anyway. But Peninas grandmother does. Grandma doesnt think Penina should do the assignment. Its a matter of principle. Its a matter of strength. Its a matter of five thousand years of history and a couple dozen hard-boiled eggs.
Review
“A thoughtful and often funny novel that should appeal to the worlds many Peninas.”—Booklist “Well-crafted multiple themes are integrated into a captivating, realistic middle-grade novel where conflicts are addresses, if not resolved, in pragmatic and convincing scenarios.”—Kirkus Reviews “Like an older Amber Brown, Penina is a feisty and thoroughly enjoyable heroine with whom readers will easily connect. OConnells artful weaving of Jewish traditions and history throughout the novel make it all the richer, and the occasional illustrations complement the dynamic humor.”—School Library Journal “Careful explanations of Passover traditions ensure that gentile readers wont get left behind, and youngsters in general will sympathize with a kid who stands up for herself when shes wronged.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books
Synopsis
She still hasn't gotten over that Easter Bunny letter, said Zozo.
So what? said Penina. If my parents want me to go to Peekskill, what can Ms. Anderson do? Kidnap me?
No, said Zozo. She can't kidnap you, but she can flunk you.
Penina Levine has a bossy best friend, a tattletale sister, crazy parents, and a big, fat zero on her school assignment to write a letter as the Easter Bunny. It was a stupid assignment, completely impossible, totally unfair. Penina's never going to do it--not ever--and it's no use telling her parents about it. They never listen to her anyway. But Penina's grandmother does. Grandma doesn't think Penina should do the assignment. It's a matter of principle. It's a matter of strength. It's a matter of five thousand years of history and a couple dozen hard-boiled eggs.
Synopsis
“She still hasnt gotten over that Easter Bunny letter,” said Zozo.“So what?” said Penina. “If my parents want me to go to Peekskill, what can Ms. Anderson do? Kidnap me?”
“No,” said Zozo. “She cant kidnap you, but she can flunk you.”
Penina Levine has a bossy best friend, a tattletale sister, crazy parents, and a big, fat zero on her school assignment to write a letter as the Easter Bunny. It was a stupid assignment, completely impossible, totally unfair. Peninas never going to do itnot everand its no use telling her parents about it. They never listen to her anyway. But Peninas grandmother does. Grandma doesnt think Penina should do the assignment. Its a matter of principle. Its a matter of strength. Its a matter of five thousand years of history and a couple dozen hard-boiled eggs.
Synopsis
Fresh, feisty, funny Penina Levine narrates a tale of contemporary Jewish family life.
About the Author
Rebecca OConnell is the author of The Baby Goes Beep and, as Rebecca Tova Ben-Zvi, of Four Sides, Eight Nights: A New Spin on Hanukkah. She is a childrens librarian with 14 years of story-hour experience. Majella Lue Sue, born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, received a BFA in Illustration, with honors, from the Art Center of Design in Pasadena, in 2005. This is Ms. Lue Sues first book. OConnell and Lue Sue will collaborate on Penina Levine Is a Potato Pancake for Fall 2008.