Fourteen-year-old Jenny Blake picks up a penny on the street and her action sets in motion a series of events. THE PENNY, set in the mid-1950s, tells the story of Jenny’s dysfunctional home life, her relationships with her family and special friends, and her journey of faith and maturity. Jenny’s father is abusive, her mother is timid, and her seventeen-year-old sister is critical and haughty. Jenny avoids friendships with other girls because of her dysfunctional home, but she develops a deep friendship with Aurelia, a black girl in her “integrated” school.

I appreciated the authors’ portrayal of the time of my own growing-up years. Little details, such as a pink Sunbeam Mixmaster and mentions of Grace Kelly, brought the period to life on the pages. Jenny’s struggle to believe in her new-found Savior, in spite of continuing abuse from her father, was heart rending. I was reminded of the importance of true friends and mentors in the life of young people.

Meyer and Bedford’s collaboration has produced an interesting, meaningful, and inspirational novel that reveals lessons about God and faith without being too preachy. I’ve admired Joyce Meyer’s teaching and nonfiction books for many years. It’s obvious that she has a heart for the Lord and for people. I hope to see more fiction like this, which also comes from her heart.

July 2, 2007