Penny and the Stolen Chalice on Amazon
We had the pleasure of reading Antony Barone Kolenc’s new book for OSV Kids as a read-aloud in our homeschool. Penny and the Stolen Chalice is a fun romp through a Catholic school, as a team of sixth graders work to find out who stole the valuable chalice right out from under Fr. Bala’s nose at Mass. Let’s just say there may have been a fire alarm prank to go with the theft.
Penny and Jayden are friends of necessity; Penny is the new kid in school who is not Catholic, and Jayden is the clean-cut altar boy who is “weird” because he is so pious. Jayden knows his faith well and tries to explain it to Penny as they search for the missing chalice. Why would anyone steal a cup with the blood of Jesus in it? Is it just for the money they could get from selling it? Could it be to frame Jayden, whose family member has a checkered past?
With many colorful characters, the whole school is in an uproar. Did Mr. Gonzalez, the janitor, steal the chalice? Or was it the class bully? The delightful plot twist at the end reinforces the beauty and the depth of Catholic faith in the impossible. Kolenc really shines here as an author who can skillfully weave the catechism in and out of a mystery story that is accessible to younger kids. My eight-year-old daughter, who is in third grade, was riveted. I love books like this that include how important family and friends are to growing children.
If you are like me and many homeschoolers, you are already thinking about buying books for next school year. (We never really get a summer, do we?) Grab a copy of this gem. You won’t be sorry! My little hobbits approve.
Eight Hobbits 