Davey rallies his community to outsmart a bank during the Great Depression, giving young readers the thrill of a successful secret plan. Vivid historical details and a child who solves adult problems make this underdog story feel grounded and triumphant. Books in this family share resourceful protagonists and high stakes resolved through collective action.
Reach for this book when your child starts noticing that some people have less than others, or when they are struggling to understand how one person can possibly make a difference in a big, unfair world. Set during the Great Depression, this story follows young Davey as he helps organize his community to save a neighbor's farm through a clever penny auction. It provides a gentle entry point into discussing financial hardship and the power of collective action. The book beautifully balances the heavy reality of the 1930s with themes of empathy, hope, and grassroots justice. It is developmentally appropriate for children ages 5 to 9, offering a concrete example of how kindness and teamwork can solve problems that seem too big for one person. Parents will appreciate how it models civic responsibility and the importance of standing up for neighbors during difficult times.
