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Penny and the Stolen Chalice
Penny is a new sixth grader at a Catholic school, but she isn't Catholic. So when the chalice is stolen from the altar after a school Mass, she doesn’t really understand what the big deal is. But her friend, Jayden, an altar server who loves the Eucharist, is determined to find the thief. Penny and Jayden team up to search for clues and track down the stolen chalice. Fast-paced and filled with mystery, Penny and the Stolen Chalice helps curious middle-grade readers gain a deeper understanding of the Mass and the Real Presence of Jesus. As she finds clues with Jayden and other characters, Penny, along with the reader, grows in appreciation of the chalice’s place in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
- GenresMystery
224 pages, Paperback
Published March 4, 2024
9 people want to read
About the author
Antony Barone Kolenc
16 books36 followersTony is the author of The Harwood Mysteries--a medieval historical fiction series for youth published by Loyola Press, which has won eight book awards. He is a law professor who also writes a legal column in Practical Homeschooling Magazine and speaks at writing, legal, and home education events. His family has homeschooled their five children.
Tony retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps after 21 years of military service. During his career, he has litigated both civil and criminal cases before trial and appellate courts. His professional writings have focused on matters of constitutional law and military policy. He has also taught undergraduate courses at the Air Force Academy and Saint Leo University.
Tony retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps after 21 years of military service. During his career, he has litigated both civil and criminal cases before trial and appellate courts. His professional writings have focused on matters of constitutional law and military policy. He has also taught undergraduate courses at the Air Force Academy and Saint Leo University.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 3, 2024
Author Anthony Barone Kolenc is well-known for his Harwood Mysteries series for slightly older readers; this book stars an 11-year-old protagonist but is perfect for readers 8 and up. Penny, a non-Catholic new kid in a Catholic school, can’t help but try to find out who stole a chalice during a school Mass when the fire alarm went off just after Communion. Along the way, she learns—and comes to believe—how the Eucharist truly is the Body and Blood of Christ. She also makes some friends, and I hope they’ll appear in future books in this series.
While this is a children’s book, there are adult characters who are key to the story. Among them are Penny’s recently widowed mom, her grandfather who has terminal cancer, the school’s principal and custodian, and the ever-suspicious religious sister who runs the nursing home where Penny’s grandfather lives.
This story would make a fun read-aloud in a Catholic-school classroom or for a parent and child to enjoy together.
ARC received from publisher.
While this is a children’s book, there are adult characters who are key to the story. Among them are Penny’s recently widowed mom, her grandfather who has terminal cancer, the school’s principal and custodian, and the ever-suspicious religious sister who runs the nursing home where Penny’s grandfather lives.
This story would make a fun read-aloud in a Catholic-school classroom or for a parent and child to enjoy together.
ARC received from publisher.
March 14, 2024
Antony Kolenc has an amazing gift of writing for middle-grade kids. From the moment I read the first book in his Harwood Mysteries series, I’ve been a fan. So, I was thrilled for a chance to check out his new contemporary story, Penny and the Stolen Chalice. And what a fabulous book it is!
The main character in this story doesn’t know much about faith but attends a Catholic school. This provides many opportunities to explain the Catholic faith. Many of the traditions, prayers, and parts of the Mass can seem a little strange and confusing to someone who has not grown up in the Church. Kolenc does such a wonderful job of highlighting and explaining these elements.
There were many enjoyable aspects to this story. As a mystery-lover, I always enjoy a good whodunnit. So, the storyline of the missing chalice lured me right in and kept me guessing until the end. This author is known for creating relatable characters and touching family situations, which he brings to this new book as well. Penny and the Stolen Chalice had me cheering on the main character, laughing at numerous situations, and even tearing up a time of two. Excellent job!
The main character in this story doesn’t know much about faith but attends a Catholic school. This provides many opportunities to explain the Catholic faith. Many of the traditions, prayers, and parts of the Mass can seem a little strange and confusing to someone who has not grown up in the Church. Kolenc does such a wonderful job of highlighting and explaining these elements.
There were many enjoyable aspects to this story. As a mystery-lover, I always enjoy a good whodunnit. So, the storyline of the missing chalice lured me right in and kept me guessing until the end. This author is known for creating relatable characters and touching family situations, which he brings to this new book as well. Penny and the Stolen Chalice had me cheering on the main character, laughing at numerous situations, and even tearing up a time of two. Excellent job!
April 14, 2024
Penny and the Stolen Chalice is an engaging, well-paced middle grade mystery that not only entertains but (shh!) catechizes.
Anthony Kolenc wisely puts the mystery in the hands of non-Catholic student Penny, letting the story unfold from the sixth-grade girl’s (uncommon second person) point of view.
Penny is compelled to investigate the theft of a chalice from church to help exonerate her altar server friend Jayden, who is accused of the crime. In the course of the investigation, Penny learns more about aspects of the Catholic faith pertinent to discovering the real culprit. She must also confront her family’s lingering grief following the death of her father and the worry caused by her elderly grandfather’s terminal illness.
The book accurately depicts a contemporary Catholic school, parish, and American family undergoing the trials and travails that often either strengthen or diminish a family’s faith.
My own sixth-grade daughter zipped through this book. She and I both guessed at the chalice thief, but not until well into Penny’s investigation. I’m looking forward to handing this book on to my youngest son.
Anthony Kolenc wisely puts the mystery in the hands of non-Catholic student Penny, letting the story unfold from the sixth-grade girl’s (uncommon second person) point of view.
Penny is compelled to investigate the theft of a chalice from church to help exonerate her altar server friend Jayden, who is accused of the crime. In the course of the investigation, Penny learns more about aspects of the Catholic faith pertinent to discovering the real culprit. She must also confront her family’s lingering grief following the death of her father and the worry caused by her elderly grandfather’s terminal illness.
The book accurately depicts a contemporary Catholic school, parish, and American family undergoing the trials and travails that often either strengthen or diminish a family’s faith.
My own sixth-grade daughter zipped through this book. She and I both guessed at the chalice thief, but not until well into Penny’s investigation. I’m looking forward to handing this book on to my youngest son.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews