The Penny

A Novel

By: Joyce Meyer, Deborah Bedford

Narrated by: Emily Janice Card

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Jenny Blake has a theory about life: big decisions often don't amount to much, but little decisions sometimes transform everything. Her theory proves true the summer she's 14, when she makes the decision to pick up a penny embedded in asphalt and consequently ends up stopping a robbery, getting a job, and meeting someone who changes her life forever: Miss Shaw. Together they form a friendship that dares both of them to confront secrets in their pasts that threaten to destroy them.

Jenny helps Miss Shaw open up to the community around her, while Miss Shaw teaches Jenny to meet even life's most painful challenges with confidence and faith. This unexpected relationship transforms them both in ways neither could have anticipated, and the ripple effect that begins that summer goes on to bring new life to the people around them, revealing how God works in the smallest details, even in something as small as...a penny.

©2007 Joyce Meyer (P)2007 Books on Tape

Believable!

I have read a lot of Christian fiction and, frankly, most of it is poorly written. This book breaks that mold with characters that are believable and events that are real and heartbreaking as well as uplifting. Every word of this story has the feeling of authenticity as if it were lifted right from life.

Thrilled and Impressed!

Great novel from Joyce Meyer! Full of surprises, good narrator. This will be one of my all-time favorites.

Wonderful

I enjoyed every minute. It brought back memories of my childhood and the way things were.

A BLESSING

Ths Book spoke to my inner child and made me love God again. Knowing that someone else could've have survived that life and move forward made me hopeful. Jesus must love me. This book reminded me of that.

You'll find it hard to put down!!

Constantly held my interest!!! Very very soul shaking. Exciting, touching, emotional, hooray ,praises be to he.

very good

It is a difficult story to read about how terrible people can treat others especially children. It reminds us just how powerful forgiveness can be and how God is with us even if He doesn't take us out of a situation.

Very touching story

If you could sum up The Penny in three words, what would they be?

I really enjoyed this book. I can say with confidence that I will never see a penny on the ground and not be reminded of this story.
Loved it.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the characters. Very believable. The struggle with faith and how the tragedy was overcome but not in 'fairytale' fashion

Have you listened to any of Emily Janice Card’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A pennies worth of faith

Cents Bring Hope

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I've always heard that when you find a penny, you should pick it up, read the words "In God We Trust" aloud and give God thanks for your blessings. The Penny validates this adage and expands on it. Finding a penny can give you hope if you let it. If you have hope, that leads to faith, and "faith the size of a mustard seed" leads to freedom if you let it. I listen to Joyce Meyer and can feel the pain of the journey of her personal life in this book. This story gives hope to those who often cannot see that there may ever be light at the end of the tunnel. I whole heartily recommend this book to everyone.

Touching Story

What did you love best about The Penny?

This is a touching story of hope for those who have suffered abuse. The subject is gently and delicately handled without getting graphic; which I appreciate. I have never personally suffered abuse, but because of this story I hope I can help those who have.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Penny?

The moment Ms. Shaw took off her gloves for the first time and revealed her hands.

What about Emily Janice Card’s performance did you like?

She is very fluid and the best thing I think you can say about her performance is she didn't take away from the story. To tell the truth she did such a good job; I didn't even think about her performance. Sometimes the readers do such a poor job that is all I think about. I will look forward to hearing more of her work.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but I restrained myself. I listen to my books when I am in the bathtub soaking each night .... it is my own private sanctuary and I look forward to it all day. Always calms me and winds me down for sleep. ( I told my husband and family... unless Jesus calls, I am unavailable for that hour) LOL

Any additional comments?

This is a good listen and I think most young adult women and up would enjoy.

Great Story Line

If this review were simply for the writing, I would give it 5 stars. This story takes you down a the very personal path of the main charater, Jenny Blake, while giving you a taste of what it was like to grow up during the time of integration.

My only problem with this recording is that I often found the narator's interpritation of the tone of a character's voice to be in direct conflict with emotion the text suggested. This was most evident in her portrail of one of the main supporting characters, Miss Shaw.

Over all, the recording was done well, In most other cases I feel that the narator's performance matched the intent of the author. I would recomend that you give it a try.