Some part of me is terribly tickled that the universe so aligned itself that I could make the announcement that our house is sold and our move in the works, while also spotlighting Penny Dreadful.  It seems moving and magic are in the air!  However, while we’re making wishes, I’d like to request that my change of fortune be the opposite direction of Penny and her family, if the whims of the world wouldn’t mind arranging that.  And you know what?  A contract for NinChicks could be just the thing!  How fortunate that my agent is sending it back out on submission soon. 🙂

Now, on to Penny Dreadful!

This book is a lovely look inside the life of one Penelope Grey, who is bored.  And lonely.  She feels kind of bad about that, since there are so many good things going on in her life–a really big, mansion of a house, two parents that are both perfectly lovely people, a tutor who makes sure she never misses a day of school, and so on–but she’s all too aware that the house echoes.  So, she makes a wish in the little well out back, ignoring the fact that it’s only a yard decoration.  She wishes for change, any change, and her wish comes true!

Unfortunately, Penelope clearly should have thought her wish out a little more carefully, because not all change is happy or fun.  A car accident isn’t known for improving one’s quality of life, for example.  Neither is getting the chicken pox, or having your house burn down.  Luckily Penelope gets off a bit easier.  Her dad walks in the door one day, and announces he’s quit his day job and plans to be–a writer!  Of course, that goes swimmingly and he’s soon signed a billion-dollar contract!

Not.  As we all know, writing is a poor man’s game for most folks who try it, and Penelope’s father is suffering under the additional handicap that, at least at first, he hasn’t much to say.  Money matters quickly slide out of control.  When Penelope see that her parents are not only incapable of improving their dismal financial circumstances, they’re also incapable of doing the laundry, she wisely intercedes and makes another wish.  The result is a madcap move out to a ramshackle house with even more debt plus a whole passel of tenants that aren’t required to pay rent.  But, it’s not boring!  And it’s not lonely!

Aaand, I’d best stop there, or I’ll have to start ducking rotten tomatoes with the word ‘spoiler’ carved into them.  However, I am going to make a confession–I felt the ending could have been improved.  Penny (she changes her name when she ditches the fancy digs) spends a great deal of time and character growth pursuing a goal which would help her family’s still difficult circumstances, and in the end, her pursuit and/or achievement of the goal makes no difference.  It could have–the tools are all there, and it would have been a cinch for her contribution to count–but for some reason, it gets dropped.  However, the book is so delightful that in the end, it really doesn’t matter much.  Penny is an incredibly relatable heroine, as are her parents, despite their weaknesses.  And in truth, every one of the characters who walk into the book quickly become someone you feel you’ve known forever, and would like to spend another forever or two getting to know even better.

But, enough from me.  Let’s see what Apricot-kitty has to say:

“At the risk of stating the obvious…Penelope could have saved herself and her family a great deal of trouble, and wished for a cat.  No more being lonely, and her life would have all the meaning it could ever need as she worked to fulfill her role as the special person in her cat’s life.”

Why, you know, she’s right!  Because all any of ever aspire to is the privilege of serving a cat. 😉  In truth, there were quite possibly alternative, and less disruptive, routes for Penelope to take, but then she might not have become Penny, and we couldn’t enjoy watching her do so!  And after all, what’s life without a little adventure?  Boring, that’s what it is.

For lots of other great middle grade recommendations, plus giveaways and author interviews, stop by Shannon Messengers blog.  And have a truly Marvelous Middle Grade Monday!

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