Penina Levine Is a Hard–Boiled Egg has been recognized as a 2008 Notable Book for Older Readers by the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee of the Association of Jewish Libraries!
Penina Levine Is a Potato Pancake
Prequel to Penina Levine Is a Hard–Boiled Egg
illustrated by Majella Lue Sue
coming from Roaring Brook Press, Fall 2008
Sabrina Weissler interviewed me for Childrensbookradio.com. Click here to listen to the podcast.
The Baby Goes Beep is now featured in A Basket of Pittsburgh’s Pittsburgh Kid gift basket!
Penina Levine Is a Hard–Boiled Egg
by Rebecca O’Connell
illustrated by Majella Lue Sue
published by Roaring Brook Press, March 2007
“Penina is a feisty and thoroughly enjoyable heroine with whom readers will easily connect.”
—School Library Journal
“O’Connell’s story works on several levels: as an informative recounting of contemporary American Passover customs; an example of how a well–meant assignment grounded in a majority culture can be perceived as offensive; and a portrait of a prickly preadolescent trying to navigate her way between two different worlds…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”
—Kirkus
Reviews
“believably nuanced…youngsters in general will sympathize with a kid
who stands up for herself when she’s wronged”
—Bulletin
of the Center for Children’s Books, “Recommended.”
