Small Change: The Secret Life of Penny Burford

by J. Belinda Yandell

Book Overview

An Alternate Selection of the Crossings Book Club

Winner of the Salt Lake County Library System's 2003 Readers Choice Award

In 1965 Penny Burford takes a single nickel from her husband's overflowing mound of change on the bedroom dresser and hesitantly slips it into the pocket of her housedress. He won't miss it, she decides. With that single act Penny changes the course of her life--and the lives of...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1581824149
• ISBN13: 9781581824148
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Cumberland House Publishing
• Length: 150 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Priceless Treasure

Small Change is a priceless treasure. If you like a story to read like a long talk with a close friend you will enjoy this conversation with J. Belinda Yandell. If you still believe in random acts of kindness and the power of small wonders, if you can believe in the magic of everyday lives, if you read to feel good, don't miss this book!

Yandell's character, Penny Burford, is an American classic

Small Change is all about the human spirit and how a speck of ambition coupled with a little courage can make gigantic changes in many lives. Penny Burford didn't win the lottery, didn't have a job, didn't have an eduction and had never even eaten a hamburger because Roy, her overbearing and demanding husband didn't go to fast food places. Penny was the textbook wife to Roy, having and raising his children, buying the groceries on the strict budget Roy allowed her, cooking his meals and cleaning his house, including picking up the pocket change he annoyingly dropped on the dresser daily. Then, one day she dropped a stray nickel into her pocket. Penny Burford and all the lives she touched in her small Georgia community were forever changed that day. A beautiful book that brings new meaning to "Its not what you have but what you do with it that counts."

Wisdom for making a difference

This audio book touched my heart and I have a list of friends I want to share it with. How little we know the people we live with everyday and what a shame secrets die with so many. I, too, expect this to be made into a warm Christmas movie. Hope this first publication will lead to more.

Small Change could "change" your life!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Everyone can relate to someone in this story. Heartwarming, funny, and very entertaining. You soon will not forget this story and will remember the lesson that could "change" your life!! I'm waiting for it to become a "Hallmark Hall of Fame" movie!!! P.S. Hey OPRAH, this needs to be in your book club!!

Touching, funny and sweet

This is a really sweet story (without being drippy) of how one ordinary woman changes her life a nickel at a time. It points out a fundamental truth: having money of your own changes things. (And Penny's choice of a hiding place for her "change" -- a tampon box in the bathroom, because her husband would NEVER look in it -- is priceless.)