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For Years,
Penny Expected
To Be Forgotten.
Then she found a home that saw her differently.
Then she found a home that saw her differently.
Todd Martin grew up as the youngest of six children, where he learned early what it felt like to be the quiet one in a busy room..
Todd Martin grew up as the youngest of six children, where he learned early what it felt like to be the quiet one in a busy room..
Emotional Quote Experience
What Is Penny’s Worth?
Emotional Quote Experience
What Is Penny’s Worth?
“She had learned not to expect kindness.”
“Some children stop believing they belong.”
“Love arrived quietly.”
Penny’s Journey
Penny’s Emotional Journey
Penny’s Journey
Penny’s Emotional Journey
Foster Care
Fear
Trust
Healing
Belonging
Key Themes
Faith & Grace
In the quiet moments, we are reminded that we are seen, loved, and never walking alone.
The quiet belief that something better still exists, even after everything feels lost.
Being given kindness you did not earn, and love you did not expect.
The slow rebuilding of what was broken, piece by piece, in silence and time.
The feeling of being seen, chosen, and held even in your most unworthy moments.
About The Book
The Story Behind the Pages
Penny's Worth
Story of Grace, Worth, and Being Found
Twelve-year-old Penny has learned not to expect much from life.
After four years in foster care, she carries everything she owns in a single box and everything she feels in silence. Hope, for her, is something people lose before they even realize it’s gone.
But when Penny arrives at the Thompson home, something feels different. There are no grand promises. No suddenmiracles. Just quiet kindness… steady presence… and people who refuse to let her believe she is invisible.
As days turn into something unfamiliar safety, routine, care Penny begins to experience what she was never taught to expect: That she is seen. That she is wanted. That she is worth staying for.
Penny’s Worth is a deeply moving inspirational fiction novel about foster care, childhood trauma, healing, faith, and the quiet power of love that rebuilds what life tried to break. Perfect for readers of emotional women’s fiction, Christian-inspired healing stories, and heartfelt coming of-age journeys, this novel explores what it means to find belonging when the world has taught you to expect abandonment.
Readers Feel
Comments from Readers
Sarah Mitchell
Book Reader
comforting
I didn’t expect this book to stay with me the way it did. Penny’s story is quiet, but it hits hard. The way her emotions are written—especially that sense of not feeling wanted—felt incredibly real. Watching her slowly open up in the Thompson home was beautiful and, at times, heartbreaking. This is one of those books that reminds you how much small acts of kindness actually matter.
Daniel Brooks
Book Reader
healing
Penny’s Worth isn’t dramatic in a loud way, but that’s exactly what makes it powerful. It captures the reality of foster care and emotional healing without overdoing anything. The pacing is gentle, and the growth feels earned. If you’re looking for something meaningful and grounded, this is worth your time.
Rebecca Lawson
Book Reader
beautifully human
This book made me emotional in ways I didn’t expect. Penny’s silence, her guarded nature, and the way she starts to trust again it all felt so genuine. I especially appreciated that the story didn’t rush her healing. It showed that feeling safe again takes time. A very touching and sincere read.
Michael Turner
Book Reader
hopeful
What stood out to me was how subtle everything is. There are no big, unrealistic turning points just steady care and patience. The Thompson family felt real, not perfect, which made the story even stronger. It’s a reminder that showing up consistently for someone can change their life.
Emily Carter
Book Reader
comforting
I picked this up thinking it would be just another emotional story, but it turned out to be much deeper. Penny’s journey from feeling invisible to realizing her worth was handled with so much care. The faith elements were gentle and not overwhelming, which I appreciated. Definitely a book I’d recommend to others.
Sarah Mitchell
Book Reader
comforting
I didn’t expect this book to stay with me the way it did. Penny’s story is quiet, but it hits hard. The way her emotions are written—especially that sense of not feeling wanted—felt incredibly real. Watching her slowly open up in the Thompson home was beautiful and, at times, heartbreaking. This is one of those books that reminds you how much small acts of kindness actually matter.
Daniel Brooks
Book Reader
healing
Penny’s Worth isn’t dramatic in a loud way, but that’s exactly what makes it powerful. It captures the reality of foster care and emotional healing without overdoing anything. The pacing is gentle, and the growth feels earned. If you’re looking for something meaningful and grounded, this is worth your time.
Rebecca Lawson
Book Reader
beautifully human
This book made me emotional in ways I didn’t expect. Penny’s silence, her guarded nature, and the way she starts to trust again it all felt so genuine. I especially appreciated that the story didn’t rush her healing. It showed that feeling safe again takes time. A very touching and sincere read.
Michael Turner
Book Reader
hopeful
What stood out to me was how subtle everything is. There are no big, unrealistic turning points just steady care and patience. The Thompson family felt real, not perfect, which made the story even stronger. It’s a reminder that showing up consistently for someone can change their life.
Emily Carter
Book Reader
comforting
I picked this up thinking it would be just another emotional story, but it turned out to be much deeper. Penny’s journey from feeling invisible to realizing her worth was handled with so much care. The faith elements were gentle and not overwhelming, which I appreciated. Definitely a book I’d recommend to others.
Come Home To
Penny’s
Story
A Story of Grace, Worth, and Being Found Twelve-year-old Penny has learned not to expect much from life.
About The author
Hello I’m Todd Martin
Todd Martin grew up as the youngest of six children, where he learned early what it felt like to be the quiet one in a busy room and how much it mattered when someone stopped and noticed. He has spent many years working alongside his nieces, nephews, and the children in his community, looking for those who feel overlooked and reminding them of their worth. Penny’s Worth grew out of that experience and out of his deep belief that every person especially the quietest, the smallest, the most easily passed over is seen and valued by God.
Todd Martin grew up as the youngest of six children, where he learned early what it felt like to be the quiet one in a busy room and how much it mattered when someone stopped and noticed.
He has spent many years working alongside his nieces, nephews, and the children in his community, looking for those who feel overlooked and reminding them of their worth. Penny’s Worth grew out of that experience and out of his deep belief that every person especially the quietest, the smallest, the most easily passed over is seen and valued by God.
Todd is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. He lives with his wife and children, and is grateful every day for a God who notices sparrows.
My Story Featured on FOX 5 San Diego
Every Story Has a Purpose. I'm Honored to Share Mine.
Writing Penny’s Worth has been one of the most meaningful journeys of my life, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share the heart behind the book with a wider audience.
In my recent FOX 5 San Diego – Innovator’s Journey interview, I talk about the inspiration behind Penny’s Worth, the experiences that shaped my writing, and the message I hope every reader carries with them long after turning the final page.
If you’ve ever wondered what inspired this story, I’d love to invite you to watch the interview and join me behind the pages.
