About the Book

Book: A Penny Saved

Authors: Terri Gillespie & Cynthia L. Simmons

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy & Mystery

Release Date: May 27, 2023

A Move, A Mess, A Mystery

Mason’s world turns upside down when he, his little sister, Olivia, and their mother move into their grandfather’s house.

Mason misses his cool friends. Unfortunately, R.B., the weird kid down the street, thinks he’s Mason’s new best friend.

Mason’s grandfather, a retired professor, stays in his office filled with musty, dusty books. Never realizing there’s a magical treasure hidden in plain sight. An 1860 Indian Head penny, named Penny, who is alive!

When Penny goes missing, Mason helps his grandfather look for her.

Will Mason find Penny and learn her secret?

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My Review:

A refreshing story for teens that promotes faith, morals, forgiveness, and integrity. The story is current to the youth of today. The book has some mystery, history, and some fantasy.

It all starts with a penny, and not just any penny but an 1860 Indian Head penny that talks. Some fascinating history about the Civil War can be learned in this book.

Mason has left behind all his friends as his family moves in with his grandfather in Georgia. Mason’s grandfather is a retired professor who prefers the company of his books in his office. Grandpa has a treasure in “Penny”, the talking Indian Head Penny.

The kid down the street wants to be around Mason all the time. Mason thinks R.B. is a strange kid. Poor Mason this has been a hard move being relocated to a different state and he misses his old friends.

The 1860 Indian Head Penny, is named Penny. She only talks to his younger sister Olivia. Penny has a lot to share about history. Then the unimaginable happens, Penny goes missing. They must save Penny!

This is a fun book that I have enjoyed reading with my daughter. The story is unique and we had fun trying to solve the mystery ourselves. All the characters are relatable and likable. I hope to see this book made into a series.

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through Celebrate Lit Bloggers in exchange for my honest thoughts.

About the Terri

Terri Gillespie is a multi-award award-winning author and speaker and YouTube personality. Terri lives with her hubby outside Atlanta. They have one adult daughter, who lives in Chicago with her husband and son. Terri was one of the managing editors of the bestselling Tree of Life Version of the Holy Scriptures.

More from Terri

My grandson, DJ, loves to read, but there is a lack of inspirational and clean books with Black protagonists. DJ loves fantasy and mysteries, and as his safta (grandmother), I wanted a book that gives even more, a sense of legacy with a theme of looking past the exterior to the value underneath

When the strange, awkward R.B. offers to pray for Mason’s grandfather and then brings over his granny’s tuna casserole, Mason is touched and wonders if he has misjudged R.B.

After tasting this recipe, would you change your mind?

Widow Savier’s (R.B.’s granny) Tuna Casserole

2 (5 oz.) cans chunky-type tuna in water (drain well)

1 cup frozen peas

1⁄2 cup milk

3⁄4 cup butter-Ritz-like crackers, crushed or crushed potato chips (R.B. prefers the chips)

4 oz. (about 2-1⁄2 cups) thick egg noodles

1 can (10.75 oz.) cream of mushroom soup

1⁄4 tsp. garlic powder

Bit of butter (it is the south after all)

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Cook noodles according to package instructions, adding peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking; drain in strainer.
While noodles are cooking, in a separate bowl, mix together soup, milk and garlic powder.
Stir in the noodles and peas, then add the tuna.
Transfer to a 1-1⁄2 quart lightly buttered casserole.
Bake 15 minutes; top with cracker crumbs OR CHIPS. Continue baking 5 – 10 minutes or until heated through.

Serves 4, so Widow Savier doubles the recipe for Mason’s family so they have leftovers.