"Penney’s characters are memorable as are the early-teen feelings and situations that they face. A quick, satisfying piece of realistic fiction that smoothly incorporates one boy’s exploration of dawning identity." — Booklist
Praise for Eleven and Holding: “A sweet heartbreaker of a book. As important as it is endearing.” — Ali Benjamin, author of The Thing About Jellyfish
“Full of characters who start out stoic and scrappy but who slowly reveal themselves—to one another and to us—in the most honest and riveting and heartachey ways.” — Liz Garton Scanlon, Caldecott Honor Winner for All the World
“Macy’s candid narrative voice and expressive observations... bring humor and pathos to Penney’s tender, emotionally satisfying story.” — Publishers Weekly
“Driven by attractive, colorful characters, this tale is immersive and engaging... Lively, funny, tender without being syrupy, and full of life.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Penney’s novel brings to light some of the issues families of military personnel face... Readers will enjoy Macy’s independent, adventurous spirit in this story about growing up, friendship, and forgiveness.” — Horn Book Magazine
“An emotional coming-of-age tale that will resonate with readers who appreciate contemporary, realistic, character-driven novels.” — School Library Journal
"Penney is adept at showing the facets of the adolescent experience like a diamond: a beautiful thing to behold, but one with sharp edges. Recommended for readers who crave books that have all the feels and that reflect their own lived experiences with just the right touch of whimsy." — School Library Journal
Praise for Eleven and Holding: “A sweet heartbreaker of a book. As important as it is endearing.
Full of characters who start out stoic and scrappy but who slowly reveal themselves—to one another and to us—in the most honest and riveting and heartachey ways.
Penney’s novel brings to light some of the issues families of military personnel face... Readers will enjoy Macy’s independent, adventurous spirit in this story about growing up, friendship, and forgiveness.
06/01/2022
Gr 5 Up—Penney continues her heartfelt exploration of the middle grade years from her first novel, Eleven and Holding, in this new coming-of-age chronicle. Abraham "Ham" Hudson is the source of much local gossip in his small hometown of Muddy Waters, CA. As an infant he was abandoned inside a decorative Nativity scene, only to be adoptedby the beloved parson at the parsonage. For the next 13 years the church is his home and his school, but a sudden "cardiac event" makes it clear that Ham's mother can no longer devote herself to her congregation and his education. Even with the support of newly arrived Fey and longtime parental figure Deuce, Ham dreads the return to public school. The awkwardness and taunting is soon leavened by the introduction of Micah, a charming and self-assured boy who immediately ignites Ham's admiration. But the desire to pursue this wonderful new relationship and parse out his feelings for Micah leads Ham to lose the sense of himself in the process. Written in clear and graceful prose, this novel will immediately spark pangs of recognition and sympathy. Penney is adept at showing the facets of the adolescent experience like a diamond: a beautiful thing to behold, but one with sharp edges. While there are screwball hijinks like cats on the loose to lighten the mood, Penney doesn't hold back in examining the complex lessons inherent in growing up. Before the story's end, Ham is forced to confront new and mystifying truths about himself, his family and friends, and the fickle nature of life itself. VERDICT A recommended purchase for public and school libraries serving readers who crave books that have all the feels and that reflect their own lived experiences with just the right touch of whimsy.—Jose Cruz
2022-03-16
Real friendships are built on mutual support and trust.
Thirteen-year-old Abraham “Ham” Hudson’s life changes dramatically when his pastor mother has a cardiac event, forcing her to work less and focus more on her health. To help her reduce her workload, which includes being his home-school teacher, Ham agrees to attend public school. Eighth grade starts out with mixed results: Ham will be attending with his new neighbor and first ever friend, Fey, a girl whose family moves frequently due to her prison guard parents’ job transfers, making her the perpetual new girl. Ham also quickly discovers that his love of running makes him a good fit for the cross-country team, but it’s here that he runs afoul of Bijou, a competitive girl who must prove herself the best even if it means breaking others down. Ham also encounters Micah, a mysterious boy with startling green eyes and a magnetic personality. Ham is smitten and is pulled into Micah’s alluring but risky adventures—ones that lead to a near-fatal incident that helps Ham understand the true meaning of friendship. As a character, Ham is a friendly, likable, and wide-eyed narrator, which is both the strength and weakness of the story. Some readers may enjoy his good-natured innocence; others may grow frustrated at his unrelenting gullibility. The story is amusing but feels like a dessert: very sweet but ultimately just empty calories.
Earnest but verging on hammy. (Fiction. 9-12)
