Penina Levine Is a Hard-boiled Egg

by Rebecca O'Connell, Majella Lue Sue (Illustrator)

Overview

"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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312550264
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	03/03/2009
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	650L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

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 more than a dozen 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. Penina Levine Is a Hard-boiled Egg is Ms. Lue Sue's first book.

Editorial Reviews

A thoughtful and often funny novel that should appeal to the world's 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. O'Connell's 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 won't get left behind, and youngsters in general will sympathize with a kid who stands up for herself when she's wronged.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

From the Publisher

Gr 4–6
Penina Levine's new teacher has given an assignment to send cards as the Easter Bunny to kindergartners at a neighboring school, and the sixth grader is uncomfortable with it because she is Jewish. When she tries to fulfill the spirit of the task without compromising her beliefs, Ms. Anderson shows a remarkable lack of sensitivity and gives her a zero. Feeling that her parents won't understand, Penina keeps the issue to herself, but she finally confides in Grandma, who is both appalled at the teacher and proud of her "hard-boiled egg": her granddaughter who gets tougher when the heat is turned on. As soon as Penina's parents are made aware of the problem, calls are made to the principal, and the teacher quickly gets a lesson in appreciating diversity. Penina is afraid that Ms. Anderson will be angry with her, but the two come to respect one another. While the idea of a young teacher being so culturally obtuse in the 21st century stretches credibility, the story moves along at an entertaining pace. Like an older Amber Brown, Penina is a feisty and thoroughly enjoyable heroine with whom readers will easily connect. O'Connell's artful weaving of Jewish traditions and history throughout the novel makes it all the richer, and the occasional illustrations complement the dynamic humor.
—Kim DareCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal