Synopses & Reviews
Penina Levine has a bossy best friend, a tattletale sister, crazy parents, and a big, fat zero on her school assignment. It was a stupid assignment, completely impossible, totally unfair. She'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, four cups of wine, 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
With only her best friend to lean on, forthright Penina celebrates Passover while she contends with a bratty younger sister and a seemingly unsympathetic sixth-grade teacher.
Synopsis
Fresh, feisty, funny Penina Levine narrates a tale of contemporary Jewish family life.
About the Author
Rebecca O'Connell 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 children's 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 Sue's first book.