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Love, Penelope
Penny is excited to welcome her new sibling, so throughout her mom’s pregnancy she writes letters to it (not it, YOU!). She introduces herself (Penelope, but she prefers “Penny”) and their moms (Sammy and Becky). She brags about their home city, Oakland, California (the weather, the Bay, and the Golden State Warriors) and shares the trials and tribulations of being a fifth-grader (which, luckily, YOU won’t have to worry about for a long time).
Penny asks little questions about her sibling’s development and starts to ask big questions about the world around her (like if and when her moms are ever going to get married “for real”).
Honest, relatable, and full of heart, Love, Penelope explores heritage, forgiveness, love, and identity through the eyes (and pen) of one memorable 10-year-old in a special year when marriage equality and an NBA championship made California a place of celebration.
Penny asks little questions about her sibling’s development and starts to ask big questions about the world around her (like if and when her moms are ever going to get married “for real”).
Honest, relatable, and full of heart, Love, Penelope explores heritage, forgiveness, love, and identity through the eyes (and pen) of one memorable 10-year-old in a special year when marriage equality and an NBA championship made California a place of celebration.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published March 20, 2018
10 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Rocklin
31 books54 followersI was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the land of four distinct seasons. The winters are so long!
Wintry days and nights inspired me to read many, many books, the most important thing a writer can do. Of course other seasons inspired me, too! And as soon as I learned to hold a pencil I began writing poems, stories, and diaries.
I have always owned cats (or they have owned me, a cliché, but true!) Coincidentally, all our cats have been authors, and I’ve compiled their writing secrets in the essay “Why Cats Write.”
And I have always lived within walking distance of a library. (O.K. in California, within almost-walking, but driving distance!) I love to read and write, but I also love to talk--especially about writing.
Wintry days and nights inspired me to read many, many books, the most important thing a writer can do. Of course other seasons inspired me, too! And as soon as I learned to hold a pencil I began writing poems, stories, and diaries.
I have always owned cats (or they have owned me, a cliché, but true!) Coincidentally, all our cats have been authors, and I’ve compiled their writing secrets in the essay “Why Cats Write.”
And I have always lived within walking distance of a library. (O.K. in California, within almost-walking, but driving distance!) I love to read and write, but I also love to talk--especially about writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
March 15, 2018
* I read an advanced reader copy therefore, my quotes from the book may not appear in the final edition.
Alternate title: all things politically correct.
There are not many hot button issues this novel doesn't touch upon. Climate change, same sex marriage, racial bias from law enforcement, the American government's infringement on Native Americans. At times it felt more like a lesson in morality than a coming-of-age story. Which is too bad because Penelope aka Penny, the protagonist is a spunky, thoughtful character. The book consists of a series of letters she is writing to her yet-to-be-born sibling. Over the course of the gestation period, Penny documents her interactions with family and friends, her passion for the Golden State Warriors basketball team (the "Dubs"), the California drought, and her attempt to complete a school assignment about her family's heritage. All of the issues presented are worthy of discussion. The problem is, with so many of them included, the characters' dialogue becomes inauthentic. Take for instance the time when Penny becomes upset over her beloved basketball team's loss. Her mothers remind her it is only a game. When Penny erupts her parents' response:
Sammy: "The Dubs are important to you. We should respect that."
Mama: "Yes, we should. I apologize, kiddo. You love your city, and you love your Dubs."
Seriously? Cue, eye rolling on my part.
Additionally, throughout the course of the story Penny is troubled because she has told her class about her Ohlone heritage. Because the Ohlone heritage is from her non-biological mother's side she feels she is being dishonest. I would have thought, as a child raised by both mothers, she would feel this mother's history was every bit hers as well.
Overall, I liked Penny, liked her grit and evident love for her family but I the abundance of morality left me feeling as though I was simply reading the author's political views.
Alternate title: all things politically correct.
There are not many hot button issues this novel doesn't touch upon. Climate change, same sex marriage, racial bias from law enforcement, the American government's infringement on Native Americans. At times it felt more like a lesson in morality than a coming-of-age story. Which is too bad because Penelope aka Penny, the protagonist is a spunky, thoughtful character. The book consists of a series of letters she is writing to her yet-to-be-born sibling. Over the course of the gestation period, Penny documents her interactions with family and friends, her passion for the Golden State Warriors basketball team (the "Dubs"), the California drought, and her attempt to complete a school assignment about her family's heritage. All of the issues presented are worthy of discussion. The problem is, with so many of them included, the characters' dialogue becomes inauthentic. Take for instance the time when Penny becomes upset over her beloved basketball team's loss. Her mothers remind her it is only a game. When Penny erupts her parents' response:
Sammy: "The Dubs are important to you. We should respect that."
Mama: "Yes, we should. I apologize, kiddo. You love your city, and you love your Dubs."
Seriously? Cue, eye rolling on my part.
Additionally, throughout the course of the story Penny is troubled because she has told her class about her Ohlone heritage. Because the Ohlone heritage is from her non-biological mother's side she feels she is being dishonest. I would have thought, as a child raised by both mothers, she would feel this mother's history was every bit hers as well.
Overall, I liked Penny, liked her grit and evident love for her family but I the abundance of morality left me feeling as though I was simply reading the author's political views.
April 9, 2018
This is a sweet story about a huge Golden State Warriors fan with two moms who is preparing for her younger sister to be born. Not all issues are fully explored and it felt young to me, with the intended audience definitely elementary school age, but the letter format and periodic drawings will appeal to kids.
January 14, 2018
Well, this book is very, very good for you. I can't think of a single societal issue on which it didn't touch. Plus, it includes vocabulary words and little lectures about nutrition. It is occasionally fun and does impart some good information, but it feels more like a lesson than a story sometimes.
Want to read
February 26, 2018Love, Penelope by Joanne Rocklin was a beautiful composition of letters from a big sister to her coming new sibling. Through Penelope's journaling to her future sibling, she is able to work through friendship issues, family challenges, BIG issues such as same-sex families, racism, bigotry, and the facts of life. Penny also tracks the basketball scores of her favorite team and the development of her future sibling. I loved how Rocklin was able to address the big issues from a child-like perspective. I would encourage parents of younger readers to be ready to have conversations with their children about big topics. I would highly recommend this book!
March 13, 2018
Penny writes letters to her unborn sibling telling her or him about her life, their mothers, their heritage, and her love of basketball.
August 22, 2023
she's done it again... an absolutely sweet, darling little book about ten-year-old penelope (called penny), who is writing a journal to her as-yet-unborn little sibling. it's 2015, and along with the daily trials of being ten, she's keeping track of two important cultural moments: the golden state warriors' march toward a basketball championship title, and the supreme court's ruling on gay marriage, a decision that affects penny directly as a kid with two moms. this book didn't get me quite like the other rocklin books i've read, but i can't say that without mentioning that it also made me cry (). from top to bottom, it's a book about love; it made me smile; it reminded me how sometimes scary-frustrating-thrilling it is to be ten. penny is a wonderful narrator; i didn't realize how fast i was getting attached to her until i realized that she'd be eighteen today and i aww'd into my empty room thinking of her growing up.
this book also has a lot of great representation! i dislike the foregrounding of representation/diversity in discussion of books that aren't about cishet white people, because i think it can lead to the actual content being overshadowed, but i'd be remiss here not to note that this book, like rocklin's others, is very kind-hearted and handles some heavy issues gently. most notably, one of penny's moms is ohlone, and through the book penny does a lot of research into ohlone culture and history for her fifth-grade heritage project. one of the points made repeatedly is that the ohlone aren't a relic of the past: even after centuries of genocide and discrimination, they are still here, figured not only by penny's mom but by her grandma, great-grandma, and uncle, who happily teach her about ohlone traditions. it takes a careful hand to discuss the horrifying treatment of indigenous people in a book that is, ultimately, a celebration of love and joy, but in my opinion rocklin pulls it off; penny becomes determined to teach the people in her class about the atrocities the ohlone have faced, but also about the beauty of ohlone culture in californian history and the present day.
i have one gripe with the political messaging here. penny’s best friend, gabby, is black; this is for the most part good rep, as far as i can tell. one of the plot points is that
that said, i can't bear to rate this book lower than four stars, because it is just so warm-hearted and penny is a great narrator. i mean, i don't even like basketball! but i was excited on her behalf anyway! i couldn't pick steph curry out of a lineup! but joanne rocklin has the sauce. her books are kind without being didactic, fun without shying away from the stuff out there that sucks, and after 240 pages i can announce that i love penelope, too :)
this book also has a lot of great representation! i dislike the foregrounding of representation/diversity in discussion of books that aren't about cishet white people, because i think it can lead to the actual content being overshadowed, but i'd be remiss here not to note that this book, like rocklin's others, is very kind-hearted and handles some heavy issues gently. most notably, one of penny's moms is ohlone, and through the book penny does a lot of research into ohlone culture and history for her fifth-grade heritage project. one of the points made repeatedly is that the ohlone aren't a relic of the past: even after centuries of genocide and discrimination, they are still here, figured not only by penny's mom but by her grandma, great-grandma, and uncle, who happily teach her about ohlone traditions. it takes a careful hand to discuss the horrifying treatment of indigenous people in a book that is, ultimately, a celebration of love and joy, but in my opinion rocklin pulls it off; penny becomes determined to teach the people in her class about the atrocities the ohlone have faced, but also about the beauty of ohlone culture in californian history and the present day.
i have one gripe with the political messaging here. penny’s best friend, gabby, is black; this is for the most part good rep, as far as i can tell. one of the plot points is that
that said, i can't bear to rate this book lower than four stars, because it is just so warm-hearted and penny is a great narrator. i mean, i don't even like basketball! but i was excited on her behalf anyway! i couldn't pick steph curry out of a lineup! but joanne rocklin has the sauce. her books are kind without being didactic, fun without shying away from the stuff out there that sucks, and after 240 pages i can announce that i love penelope, too :)
September 2, 2018
Rocklin, Joanne. Love, Penelope. Amulet Books, 2018.
Penelope loves her moms, writing in her journal, spending time with her friends, and the Golden State Warriors. When she finds out one of her moms is pregnant, she starts keeping a journal so she can tell her new sibling everything about life in her house. When a school project prompts Penelope to tell a bit of a lie to her teacher, the only person she feels safe sharing that secret with is her new sibling.
This is a fairly tame, nearly slice-of-life story, as it follows most of a school year and nearly all of the baby's developmental milestones. Penelope's choice to call the baby "you" throughout her letters is a bit unwieldy but nonetheless appropriate for a fifth grader. She and her friends face some bullying and poor decision making by the adults around them, but overall the book is cute and sweet and harmless. I will admit that I cried during the June 26, 2015 entry, but they were tears of joy (like they were on June 26, 2015).
Recommended for: middle grade and tweens
Red Flags: one adult character smokes - the cigarette smell plays a small role in several scenes in the story; the smoking character is also homophobic and racist, and although he doesn't use any words that I wouldn't use in front of children, he encourages one character not to spend time with her friends because of his racism and homophobia
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
Read-Alikes: Drum Roll, Please; Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World; My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer
Penelope loves her moms, writing in her journal, spending time with her friends, and the Golden State Warriors. When she finds out one of her moms is pregnant, she starts keeping a journal so she can tell her new sibling everything about life in her house. When a school project prompts Penelope to tell a bit of a lie to her teacher, the only person she feels safe sharing that secret with is her new sibling.
This is a fairly tame, nearly slice-of-life story, as it follows most of a school year and nearly all of the baby's developmental milestones. Penelope's choice to call the baby "you" throughout her letters is a bit unwieldy but nonetheless appropriate for a fifth grader. She and her friends face some bullying and poor decision making by the adults around them, but overall the book is cute and sweet and harmless. I will admit that I cried during the June 26, 2015 entry, but they were tears of joy (like they were on June 26, 2015).
Recommended for: middle grade and tweens
Red Flags: one adult character smokes - the cigarette smell plays a small role in several scenes in the story; the smoking character is also homophobic and racist, and although he doesn't use any words that I wouldn't use in front of children, he encourages one character not to spend time with her friends because of his racism and homophobia
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
Read-Alikes: Drum Roll, Please; Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World; My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer
August 17, 2018
I wavered between 3 and 4 stars, probably closer to 3.5. The book covers a lot of topics in a short number of pages. The journal style was cute and engaging. I don’t really care for NBA basketball and a large portion of the story focuses on that storyline. Overall I think it’s a good story because it talks about current issues of the day. Some readers may find the storyline to be a little slow at times.
August 12, 2025
I picked this up and read this for the illustrator. I didn't pay really any attention to what the book was about before starting it. The pov character turns 11 at the very end of the book. And in general things are a bit overly dramatic and show a lack of perspective. But a lot happens in this book And it was worth reading. It had way too much basketball. 3.5 of 5
January 6, 2018
This book started out seeming rather “fluffy,” but delved into some very deep topics- racism and police brutality, homophobia, the treatment of indigenous peoples. These issues were presented well within the book, and I will definitely recommend that the bookstore at which I work carry this book.
I picked up the ARC to see the illustrations, mostly, and I look forward to seeing the finished book, as I am a fan of Lucy Knisely’s work.
I picked up the ARC to see the illustrations, mostly, and I look forward to seeing the finished book, as I am a fan of Lucy Knisely’s work.
March 30, 2018
Penny is excited to welcome her new sibling, so throughout her mom’s pregnancy she writes letters to it (not it, YOU!). She introduces herself (Penelope, but she prefers “Penny”) and their moms (Sammy and Becky). She brags about their home city, Oakland, California (the weather, the Bay, and the Golden State Warriors) and shares the trials and tribulations of being a fifth-grader (which, luckily, YOU won’t have to worry about for a long time).
Penny asks little questions about her sibling’s development and starts to ask big questions about the world around her (like if and when her moms are ever going to get married “for real”).
Honest, relatable, and full of heart, Love, Penelope explores heritage, forgiveness, love, and identity through the eyes (and pen) of one memorable 10-year-old in a special year when marriage equality and an NBA championship made California a place of celebration.
Out March 2018
BIO
“I was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the land of four distinct seasons. The winters are so long!
Wintry days and nights inspired me to read many, many books, the most important thing a writer can do. Of course other seasons inspired me, too! And as soon as I learned to hold a pencil I began writing poems, stories, and diaries.
I have always owned cats (or they have owned me, a cliché, but true!) Coincidentally, all our cats have been authors, and I’ve compiled their writing secrets in the essay “Why Cats Write.”
And I have always lived within walking distance of a library. (O.K. in California, within almost-walking, but driving distance!) I love to read and write, but I also love to talk–especially about writing.”
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this uncorrected proof in exchange for my honest review.
Some parents may struggle with having talks with their children about many difficult topics such as same sex parents/relationships, bigotry, racism, bullying and poor treatment of others by the police, climate changes, and how many prejudices are directed toward indigenous people and people of color.
This book is a great tool for helping parents and children understand all these issues. It should be in all libraries, for easy access.
Lucy Knisely’s work has always intrigued me so I wanted to see how she handled all of the above and requested the book to review. Whereas the MC is supposed to be writing letters from the perspective of a sibling, the book read more as lessons from an adult preaching morality.
I did love the MC who was developed nicely and had quite the personality. Her excitement over the arrival of a sibling was contagious. As Penny documents events while the pregnancy runs its course, she is certain to include things she did with her family and friends, what happened during the California drought, and all about her attempts to finish school assignments. She made certain to include her dedication to her fav basketball team, the Golden State Warriors, or the ‘Dubs, too.’
Sadly, because the author included so much and many of the issues were rather extensive, the voice of the author diminished into a factual accounting of things that happened instead. A preachy air took over, edged with a noticeable lack of emotions that made the story fall flat. Other parts seemed to lay everything out at the reader’s feet, not allowing the reader to use their own imagination to fill in the blanks. This made the story lose its interesting edge and appear a bit campy and somewhat insulting, like the reader isn’t smart enough to figure it out for themselves.
I do like the part where she is conflicted over her heritage and feels she is being disloyal to biological mom for wanting to share the Ohlone heritage belonging to her non-biological mother. Many stepchildren/adopted children often are conflicted over sharing what is and what isn’t to be shared with non-bio parents or their bio parent, and need to know that it is okay regardless because all are part of their family structure.
Unfortunately, I felt that Penny’s voice became overwhelmed by the author’s own point of view on many of the topics addressed in the book. The saving grace or graces for this book is how it’s set up. In letter format, Penny addresses many issues while comprising letters to her soon-to-be-born sibling. Although kids today seem to grow up far faster than they used to, the topics included would probably aim more for the older middle-graders. It’s truly unfortunate that kids today are having to address so many things now and you have to wonder why this is. But the reality is what it is and this book would help them to cope and understand a lot of it.
I can see this book doing better in a graphic novel format and probably would attract more kids of the younger ages. If it were, I’d give this book a five out of five stars just for the content, and maybe bonus points if the illustrator does a great job!
Overall, and despite my own issues with how the author writes this story, I do think it’s a very needed book for today’s kids and highly recommend parents and kids read this to form their own opinions.
Penny asks little questions about her sibling’s development and starts to ask big questions about the world around her (like if and when her moms are ever going to get married “for real”).
Honest, relatable, and full of heart, Love, Penelope explores heritage, forgiveness, love, and identity through the eyes (and pen) of one memorable 10-year-old in a special year when marriage equality and an NBA championship made California a place of celebration.
Out March 2018
BIO
“I was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the land of four distinct seasons. The winters are so long!
Wintry days and nights inspired me to read many, many books, the most important thing a writer can do. Of course other seasons inspired me, too! And as soon as I learned to hold a pencil I began writing poems, stories, and diaries.
I have always owned cats (or they have owned me, a cliché, but true!) Coincidentally, all our cats have been authors, and I’ve compiled their writing secrets in the essay “Why Cats Write.”
And I have always lived within walking distance of a library. (O.K. in California, within almost-walking, but driving distance!) I love to read and write, but I also love to talk–especially about writing.”
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this uncorrected proof in exchange for my honest review.
Some parents may struggle with having talks with their children about many difficult topics such as same sex parents/relationships, bigotry, racism, bullying and poor treatment of others by the police, climate changes, and how many prejudices are directed toward indigenous people and people of color.
This book is a great tool for helping parents and children understand all these issues. It should be in all libraries, for easy access.
Lucy Knisely’s work has always intrigued me so I wanted to see how she handled all of the above and requested the book to review. Whereas the MC is supposed to be writing letters from the perspective of a sibling, the book read more as lessons from an adult preaching morality.
I did love the MC who was developed nicely and had quite the personality. Her excitement over the arrival of a sibling was contagious. As Penny documents events while the pregnancy runs its course, she is certain to include things she did with her family and friends, what happened during the California drought, and all about her attempts to finish school assignments. She made certain to include her dedication to her fav basketball team, the Golden State Warriors, or the ‘Dubs, too.’
Sadly, because the author included so much and many of the issues were rather extensive, the voice of the author diminished into a factual accounting of things that happened instead. A preachy air took over, edged with a noticeable lack of emotions that made the story fall flat. Other parts seemed to lay everything out at the reader’s feet, not allowing the reader to use their own imagination to fill in the blanks. This made the story lose its interesting edge and appear a bit campy and somewhat insulting, like the reader isn’t smart enough to figure it out for themselves.
I do like the part where she is conflicted over her heritage and feels she is being disloyal to biological mom for wanting to share the Ohlone heritage belonging to her non-biological mother. Many stepchildren/adopted children often are conflicted over sharing what is and what isn’t to be shared with non-bio parents or their bio parent, and need to know that it is okay regardless because all are part of their family structure.
Unfortunately, I felt that Penny’s voice became overwhelmed by the author’s own point of view on many of the topics addressed in the book. The saving grace or graces for this book is how it’s set up. In letter format, Penny addresses many issues while comprising letters to her soon-to-be-born sibling. Although kids today seem to grow up far faster than they used to, the topics included would probably aim more for the older middle-graders. It’s truly unfortunate that kids today are having to address so many things now and you have to wonder why this is. But the reality is what it is and this book would help them to cope and understand a lot of it.
I can see this book doing better in a graphic novel format and probably would attract more kids of the younger ages. If it were, I’d give this book a five out of five stars just for the content, and maybe bonus points if the illustrator does a great job!
Overall, and despite my own issues with how the author writes this story, I do think it’s a very needed book for today’s kids and highly recommend parents and kids read this to form their own opinions.
September 3, 2018
Love, Penelope;by Joanne Rocklyn.
"Our world is awesome and ordinary and sweet and bitter and simple and complicated and ancient and young all at the same time. And sometimes one word cancels out another word." This quote from the book sums up life in general and the book in particular. The quote got my attention. A book consisting of letters written by an older sister to her sibling, an unborn sibling, a sibling still being created in her mothers womb. Penelope, pronounced as ," PEN-EL-O-PEE" believes that the tiny poppy seed inside her mothers tummy is not just an it ...it is something ...it is a you! These lines took me back to when I had my little ones in my tummy. They were as real then as they are today and the author nailed it to perfection in the first page. So Penelope proceeds to start a journal to educate her yet to be born sibling and always starts with, " Dear You". She wants to teach her sibling everything and proceeds to do just that ...talks about their life, meanings of new words, what she feels and thinks as their life proceeds, about friendship, forgiveness, differences and sameness. She talks about her mothers ...Mama and Sammy she calls them. She talks about her best friend Gabby and how upset she is that Gabby likes this new girl on school Hazel. As we read the journal entries we become aware of the ups and downs in her life and how enemies become close friends. She educates her sibling about basketball and her favorite team ...Golden state warriors. She talks about her own heritage and heritage borrowed from her adopted mother Sammy. To be honest, as I started reading, I wasn't sure where the story was heading. But, just like the slow and steady tortoise, the book leads you to the more important events of the story as seen from the perspective of a fifth grader. A young girl who loves her family, her slightly unconventional, but still loving family and her yet to be born sibling, who may be the size of a poppy seed right now, but still means a great deal to her two mothers and her older sister. As Penelope says ...life is a mixture of contrast emotions and sometimes one emotion cancels out the other. A must read, a fun read as well as a thoughtful read for all and one!!
"Our world is awesome and ordinary and sweet and bitter and simple and complicated and ancient and young all at the same time. And sometimes one word cancels out another word." This quote from the book sums up life in general and the book in particular. The quote got my attention. A book consisting of letters written by an older sister to her sibling, an unborn sibling, a sibling still being created in her mothers womb. Penelope, pronounced as ," PEN-EL-O-PEE" believes that the tiny poppy seed inside her mothers tummy is not just an it ...it is something ...it is a you! These lines took me back to when I had my little ones in my tummy. They were as real then as they are today and the author nailed it to perfection in the first page. So Penelope proceeds to start a journal to educate her yet to be born sibling and always starts with, " Dear You". She wants to teach her sibling everything and proceeds to do just that ...talks about their life, meanings of new words, what she feels and thinks as their life proceeds, about friendship, forgiveness, differences and sameness. She talks about her mothers ...Mama and Sammy she calls them. She talks about her best friend Gabby and how upset she is that Gabby likes this new girl on school Hazel. As we read the journal entries we become aware of the ups and downs in her life and how enemies become close friends. She educates her sibling about basketball and her favorite team ...Golden state warriors. She talks about her own heritage and heritage borrowed from her adopted mother Sammy. To be honest, as I started reading, I wasn't sure where the story was heading. But, just like the slow and steady tortoise, the book leads you to the more important events of the story as seen from the perspective of a fifth grader. A young girl who loves her family, her slightly unconventional, but still loving family and her yet to be born sibling, who may be the size of a poppy seed right now, but still means a great deal to her two mothers and her older sister. As Penelope says ...life is a mixture of contrast emotions and sometimes one emotion cancels out the other. A must read, a fun read as well as a thoughtful read for all and one!!
February 22, 2018
Thank you to Joanne Rocklin for providing collabookation an ARC to share and review.
“Mama understands how sometimes my thoughts sprout like little green shoots in my brain, squishing out words that could be used for normal conversation.” So Mama hands Penelope a notebook. Penelope begins writing to her sibling in utero. The letters are meant to introduce You (baby’s name) to the world, but they also serve to curb Penelope’s anxiety.
Full disclosure: I'm a sucker for books written in letter form. They feel so personal, and I'm nosy by nature. This format also makes it ridiculously easy to stay up reading ‘just one more letter’ MANY more times.
Penelope loves learning, her teacher, and new words. She loves her moms, her sibling-to-be, her best friends, and the Golden State Warriors. Just that last fact, and the game by game updates provided, would be enough to pull my fifths into this book. But all the other aspects will keep them reeled in. The book is just so easy to feel a part of. I'm sure there's a more literary term for that, but I was truly invested in this story.
This book covers so much in a relatively (wink wink, Joanne) small space. Penelope’s moms’ domestic partnership, the impending sibling, a first crush, the Golden State Warriors championship season, the Ohlone customs and culture, the idea of heritage, and so much more.
Penelope makes mistakes and works through them. She occasionally procrastinates in addressing them, but ultimately does handle her mistakes. That accountability is a trait I'd love my fifth graders to see and emulate.
Love, Penelope was truly a joy to read. Her voice, her spunk, her wonder made me want to be an inquisitive fifth grader along with her.
One important disclosure: there is a thorough discussion about the birds and the bees. When this book goes into my fifth grade classroom library, it's going to need a permission email to guardians. The information is completely accurate, but it is descriptive enough that some of my students would be pointing out words and phrases to friends. Therefore, I would need parents to ‘ok’ the content.
Five out of five stars for Love, Penelope!
“Mama understands how sometimes my thoughts sprout like little green shoots in my brain, squishing out words that could be used for normal conversation.” So Mama hands Penelope a notebook. Penelope begins writing to her sibling in utero. The letters are meant to introduce You (baby’s name) to the world, but they also serve to curb Penelope’s anxiety.
Full disclosure: I'm a sucker for books written in letter form. They feel so personal, and I'm nosy by nature. This format also makes it ridiculously easy to stay up reading ‘just one more letter’ MANY more times.
Penelope loves learning, her teacher, and new words. She loves her moms, her sibling-to-be, her best friends, and the Golden State Warriors. Just that last fact, and the game by game updates provided, would be enough to pull my fifths into this book. But all the other aspects will keep them reeled in. The book is just so easy to feel a part of. I'm sure there's a more literary term for that, but I was truly invested in this story.
This book covers so much in a relatively (wink wink, Joanne) small space. Penelope’s moms’ domestic partnership, the impending sibling, a first crush, the Golden State Warriors championship season, the Ohlone customs and culture, the idea of heritage, and so much more.
Penelope makes mistakes and works through them. She occasionally procrastinates in addressing them, but ultimately does handle her mistakes. That accountability is a trait I'd love my fifth graders to see and emulate.
Love, Penelope was truly a joy to read. Her voice, her spunk, her wonder made me want to be an inquisitive fifth grader along with her.
One important disclosure: there is a thorough discussion about the birds and the bees. When this book goes into my fifth grade classroom library, it's going to need a permission email to guardians. The information is completely accurate, but it is descriptive enough that some of my students would be pointing out words and phrases to friends. Therefore, I would need parents to ‘ok’ the content.
Five out of five stars for Love, Penelope!
October 24, 2018
Very pleasant read, on the whole - maybe more like 3.5. You can tell that "trying to be a good / empathetic / reasonable / understanding person" is very high on Penny's list of personal values, and that her mothers and friends feel likewise. She felt believable to me that way: she's really trying to be her best person, she slips sometimes, and then she tries to fix it (usually, eventually). She DEFINITELY is trying to be more mature, now that she has a baby sibling on the way, which was one of the most realistic parts of the book for me. She felt like a real 10-11 year old, with the way that she's trying to act grown up but isn't there yet. A 10 year old is a 10 year old is a 10 year old - this author got that part right.
The book does touch on a lot of "hot button" issues: racism (esp. as relates to the police), families with same-sex parents, "fabrications" (lies), family in general, what does/n't constitute cultural appropriation, LeBron James, etc. If feel that, for the most part, they are all handled well, and they seem to arise in authentic-feeling ways. Despite the inclusion of these realities, the story is still a definite slice-of-life affair, and altogether quite light reading. You can sort of tell from start to finish that nothing really bad is going to happen - it's just not that kind of story. It's a gentle read, with a HUGE liberal bias (no complaints here), and made for a nice break.
The book does touch on a lot of "hot button" issues: racism (esp. as relates to the police), families with same-sex parents, "fabrications" (lies), family in general, what does/n't constitute cultural appropriation, LeBron James, etc. If feel that, for the most part, they are all handled well, and they seem to arise in authentic-feeling ways. Despite the inclusion of these realities, the story is still a definite slice-of-life affair, and altogether quite light reading. You can sort of tell from start to finish that nothing really bad is going to happen - it's just not that kind of story. It's a gentle read, with a HUGE liberal bias (no complaints here), and made for a nice break.
January 10, 2024
Highly recommended to kids, classrooms, and families. I won't press it on others who read kid's books just for themselves, though. The setup, that Penny is writing to her unborn sibling, gives the author lots of freedom to explore lots of issues.
Racism (DWB), homophobia (though one family member does get over it), the desecration of Native (Ohlone) grounds, the size/weight of our worries/sadnesses, forgiveness, adaptation, blended families, etc.
And basketball... I can almost understand the appeal (and I do like the idea to 'watch sports instead of wars' which is one I've seen in SF but not a kid's book before.
"It's all relative."
"Just because you are worried about something doesn't mean it will happen."
I do wonder how Sammy apparently didn't even have one moment of hurt feelings
Lots and lots of excellent back matter!
Racism (DWB), homophobia (though one family member does get over it), the desecration of Native (Ohlone) grounds, the size/weight of our worries/sadnesses, forgiveness, adaptation, blended families, etc.
And basketball... I can almost understand the appeal (and I do like the idea to 'watch sports instead of wars' which is one I've seen in SF but not a kid's book before.
"It's all relative."
"Just because you are worried about something doesn't mean it will happen."
I do wonder how Sammy apparently didn't even have one moment of hurt feelings
Lots and lots of excellent back matter!
April 11, 2018
Meet Penelope- the soon-to-be big sister who knows a lot about life and basketball. While her mom is pregnant with her sibling, Penelope constantly writes to the new member of the family about her life story, school and friendship drama, and what to expect in the world. She remarks on the changes happening in the world, whether it be a win streak for the Golden State Warriors, the new girl at school, or the ruling of marriage equality. Love, Penelope is a great book for kids ages 9 to 13 who are comfortable with same-sex marriage and LGBTQ themes, as these stay consistent throughout the book. I personally enjoy LGBTQ themes, and they were well written in the story.
Madeleine L,12, Nebraska /Western Iowa Mensa
Madeleine L,12, Nebraska /Western Iowa Mensa
August 15, 2018
I adore this book! I requested it because I love the illustrator's work, but now I love Joanne Rocklin's writing. I will definitely look up here other books. Penny is so sweet to have that much love in her heart for her siblings. I think all parents wish for their kids to love each other this much. I was pleasantly surprised that Mama felt the exact same way as I felt with regard to learning the babies gender early. It's nice to read about characters you relate to. I also liked how the book brought up the issue of equality: for marriage, for culture and for appearance. I also liked the description of "The Facts of Life" I'm glad this book tackled some hard issues. I would definitely read it again.
October 28, 2019
Penelope Bach (or Penny, as she likes to be called) is a fifth-grader that lives in Oakland, California with her Mama and Sammy, her two moms. Penny finds out that Mama is pregnant, and she decides to keep a journal about her experiences so that when her sibling is born, he/she will know more about life. Penny writes about her favorite basketball team (the Golden State Warriors), how great Oakland is, Hazel Pepper (the new girl who likes the Denver Nuggets), her friend Gabby, her heritage project that she lied about, her moms, the drought in California, some school drama, and more. This book does a good job of bringing more attention to a lot of major social issues. This was a good story that I would recommend to a younger audience because it is from the perspective of a fifth-grader.
September 15, 2018
This would be a good one to give to many young elementary Bay Area kids!
Oakland-based, Dub-nation/ basketball fan, two mommas, woven in education about the Ohlone peoples, examples of how people can grow and change, a fun teacher (I had a teacher I loved named Mr. Chen too!), and a best friend named Gabby... I’d say there’s lots here that’s right on the nail for me!
This one is a sort of diary format, written as letters to her not yet born baby sibling. A cute one for the younger crowd (3rd grade would be a good spot.. for my adult self in my current reading space/ this current moment it was tad boring at times, but it was cute!).
Oakland-based, Dub-nation/ basketball fan, two mommas, woven in education about the Ohlone peoples, examples of how people can grow and change, a fun teacher (I had a teacher I loved named Mr. Chen too!), and a best friend named Gabby... I’d say there’s lots here that’s right on the nail for me!
This one is a sort of diary format, written as letters to her not yet born baby sibling. A cute one for the younger crowd (3rd grade would be a good spot.. for my adult self in my current reading space/ this current moment it was tad boring at times, but it was cute!).
February 19, 2019
I finally read this at the urging of my ten year old, who has reread it countless times since last summer. I can see why it’s one of her favorite books, and I’m glad it is. There are many social and political issues covered, like same-sex marriage, climate change, racial profiling, and our imperfect past with Native Americans. I appreciate the vocab Penny uses and the little social studies and science lessons the author sneaks in. Conservatives would love that the entire book is a communication to an unborn baby. Basketball enthusiasts may love all the Warriors/Steph Curry talk (I skimmed that stuff). It’s a sweet book.
July 22, 2018
Penelope is writing to her not yet arrived little sibling. She shares what is going on with their moms (not yet married), her school (big ancestry project), her friends (its complicated) & her much beloved Golden State Warriors (moving toward a championship). Lots of local bay area interest whether its the sports teams, the visits to the Oakland Museum or info about the Ohlone shellmound.
I liked this book a lot.
I liked this book a lot.
June 18, 2018
This was a really fun, sweet book with an earnest and loyal protagonist. Love, Penelope is told through the main character's journal entries to her unborn baby sister and documents Penelope's school genealogy project, her friendships, her undying affection for the Golden State Warriors, and her family. This book was very sweet, well-written, and well-researched, and it touches on serious topics in an age-appropriate way.
July 9, 2018
Diary format as Penelope addresses her sibling-to-be in a year that her beloved Golden State Warriors win the NBA championship and her mothers gain the right to marry. Issues of basketball fandom, gay marriage, lying/consequences, fetal development, tribal heritage, friendship and forgiveness. This is a real girl book, as not a lot happens plot-wise, but small moments and realizations build to create real character growth. Give to sports fans, too.
August 11, 2018
Penelope's moms are expecting a baby and Penelope writes a journal for her soon to be little sister. It is mostly about The Golden State Warriors but also about her family, school and friends. She has a huge project due about her family but her biological mom and dad were orphans so she doesn't have anything to go on. Her other mom's a Native California and she starts her project on her culture but she feels like she is lying to her teacher.
October 16, 2018
Cute realistic fiction book for middle grades. I felt the Heidi thread wasn't fully developed and hid some darker elements that were not addressed. Penelope's use of "big" words was at times annoying and made her seem cloyingly precocious. I did appreciate the intersection of basketball and same-sex marriage rights from the perspective of an eleven-year-old girl.
February 4, 2019
This is a good plot line because it is getting information along to the reader all the while making it seem like she is writing to her soon to be younger sister. She tells about how her favorite basketball team is doing, how her moms are doing, and the world that she lives in, what you would expect a 5th grader to write about. This book was well put together.
February 18, 2019
I loved Love, Penelope! Penny is a sweet, smart, relatable character. The writing style and illustations in the book are unique and engaging, there's plenty of diversity, and lots of topics are covered to interest a wide variety of readers. It's always good to see a close, supportive family in middle grade books, too.
May 23, 2019
Catatan harian Penelope untuk adik yang akan lahir. Mengapa dia suka bola basket?
Mengapa dia berpura-pura menjadi keturunan Ohlone?
Dan apa itu Fakta-fakta Kehidupan? Seperti bagaimana dia bisa punya adik dari dua Mama.
Buku teenlit yang menarik dengan isu-isu sosial-lingkungan yang belum banyak diangkat di Indonesia.
Mengapa dia berpura-pura menjadi keturunan Ohlone?
Dan apa itu Fakta-fakta Kehidupan? Seperti bagaimana dia bisa punya adik dari dua Mama.
Buku teenlit yang menarik dengan isu-isu sosial-lingkungan yang belum banyak diangkat di Indonesia.
January 25, 2021
I truly enjoyed this even though basketball, which is of no interest to me, was pretty central to the story. The story incorporated a number of weighty issues (e.g. gay marriage, treatment of Native Americans, societal bigotry) but handled them well and never became preachy. I am hoping for more from this author!
October 30, 2023
I get being obsessed with a hometown sports team (mine was baseball growing up) but this felt a little ... old for a ten-year-old girl. I found myself getting a little tired of all the basketball references even if it is based on fact. It felt more like a 13- or 14-year-old voice and how obsessed teens get. Kudos for all the research, but I couldn't give it any more than a 3 stars.
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