Penelope Crumb by Shawn Stout

Penelope Crumb by Shawn K. Stout. Philomel Books, 2012. 176 pages. $14.99
Move over Malory and Piper Reed! Meet fourth-grader Penelope Crumb! Penelope has to learn something new about her family in order to create a coat of arms for art class. Her mother’s side of the family is pretty average and provides little in the way of artistic motivation. She sets out to discover Grandpa Felix, her deceased father’s father. Exhibiting ingenuity and street smarts, Penelope tracks him down and “noses” her way into his life with the coat of arms being only a part of what she gains! Penelope is sassy and smart, clever and creative, and sure to win over readers in a big way. Suitable for 3rd to 5th grade readers.