About This Book
Reach for this book when your child expresses curiosity about family history or wonders why some people have to work so hard for the things they need. It serves as a beautiful gateway to discussing gratitude, grit, and the idea that a happy childhood isn't defined by material wealth. While the setting is an industrial coal town in the 1930s, the heart of the story is the warmth of a close-knit family. The narrative follows a young girl living in a company town where the soot from the mines turns everything black, yet she finds joy in simple things like picking berries or watching the trains. It is a gentle but realistic look at working-class life, emphasizing that even in difficult circumstances, there is pride in labor and beauty in community. This is an ideal choice for elementary schoolers to build empathy and historical perspective.
