Eleven-year-old, Penny has always been given so many gifts because her father died when she was just a baby.  Everyone loved her dad so they want to help cheer her up.  She also has so many uncles she can hardly count.  They always are the ones who give her things.  All her uncles are great, but who she really likes is Uncle Dominic.  Uncle Dominic lives in a car.  He says it’s more comfortable and he can wear his pajamas and slippers all day.  He also gets to listen to the Brooklyn Dodgers games and usually invites Penny to come along with him to listen.  But her summer isn’t coming out the way she planned.  She and her cousin, Frankie, have to get jobs at Falucci’s Market.  Also she can’t go swimming because her mom is afraid that she will catch polio at the pool.  Her Nonny, who only speaks Italian, cries every time she hears Penny’s dad’s name.  People really did enjoy his presence.  But worst of all, Penny’s mom is dating the milkman.  He comes every day to sell milk to them and she always sees her mom trying to flirt with him.  Also Frankie thinks that one of the uncles has money hidden somewhere in their house.  Will Penny’s summer ever turn out as planned?  Will Frankie and Penny find the money that was hidden?  Will Penny’s two families ever be friends again?  Read this book to find out.

I loved this book!  It taught me that your family doesn’t have to be perfect to maintain a good life.  It also taught me that even though the times may be rough doesn’t mean that it can’t get better.  You can get through the roughest times even if they seem impossible to get through, you just need to be happy.  It taught me that miracles aren’t just in fairy-tales, they can happen in real life too.  Believe in yourself and you can accomplish anything.

Ryan K.