The Penny

When Jenny Blake picks up "the penny" from the hot St. Louis pavement one summer in the 1950s, she unknowingly sparks a chain of significant events. This coming-of-age novel, often painful to hear as it recounts physical, sexual, and verbal abuse, redeems its characters as faith, and acts of faith, intervene. Secrets are elegantly woven into the story, and its inspirational theme begins to make itself felt with the introduction of the mysterious Miss Shaw, a teacher of love and hope. Emily Janice Card's eloquent pacing, combined with her youthful pitch, depicts Jenny's plight and the penny's ripple effect. One clearly hears Jenny's smiles and humor in Card's bright delivery. A.W. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

April 30, 2007
Meyer (Battlefield of the Mind), a Christian motivational speaker and bestselling nonfiction author, and inspirational fiction’s Bedford (Remember Me) are the newest inspirational one-two punch with this novel that pairs Bedford’s solid writing with Meyer’s popular ministry messages. Set in St. Louis in the racial hotbed of the mid-1950s, the story’s protagonist is the sexually abused adolescent, Jenny Blake. “All my life has been shaped by other people’s hands. Daddy slapping me, Mama never hugging me, Jean pointing a finger of criticism at me....” When Jenny picks up a penny in the street, she sets off a chain of events that results in her working for the mysterious Miss Opal Shaw, who teaches her the importance of unconditional love, grace, patience and forgiveness. Bedford has a penchant for similes, but crafts some memorable phrases, such as when Jenny’s best friend teaches her how to dance: “Move like you’re writing cursive on the wall with your backside.” The penny motif is used throughout in believable and sometimes less believable ways, as is a Grace Kelly metaphor. Meyer fans will easily recognize her themes of overcoming difficulties and shame through God’s love and positive thinking. A film version’s late 2007 release should help ensure that this book receives plenty of attention.

The year is 1955. Jenny picks up a penny from the street, resulting in a series of events that change her life forever. Abused and filled with fear, Jenny learns the meaning of love through a new friend, Aurelia, and the beautiful, mysterious Miss Shaw. And she learns about God. This heartrending story is made even more captivating by the narration of Ellen Archer. She performs with a wide range of emotions and voices that create pathos and warmth in just the right places. The characters become so real that one is sad when the story comes to an end. Those who treat themselves to this audiobook will surely decide it's a favorite. N.L. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine