Books That Heal Kids: stealing

Showing posts with label stealing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stealing. Show all posts

Book Review: A Bike Like Sergio's

Author: Maribeth Boelts
Illustrator: Noah Z. Jones
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Ruben feels like he's the only kid without a bike. He wishes he could get a bike like his friend Sergio's, but wishes won't make money appear. One day, when Ruben sees a bill fall out of someone's purse, he picks it up and puts it in his pocket - it's only a dollar. But when he gets home, Ruben discovers that it's actually a hundred-dollar bill, more than enough for the bike he's been hoping for. This is a relatable story that will resonate with anyone who's tried to figure out the right thing to do. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I love the end of this story because it shows how difficult it can be to do the right thing. But when we use our integrity the inner reward is so much better than anything material. Ruben returns the hundred dollar bill and the words and kindness he receives are so filling. Although when he walks away, he also realizes he will not be getting a bike. He has gained something even better though - a stronger character.  He returns home to tell his parents his story and they share how proud they are of him. This is a great one to add to your shelf around integrity, honesty, and stealing. 

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Book Review: The Promise


Author: Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Laura Carlin
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: On a mean street in a mean city, a girl tries to snatch an old woman's bag. But the woman will only relinquish it in exchange for: The Promise. And so begins a life-changing journey of paying forward happiness, sure to touch the hearts and imaginations of readers young and old. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I've been looking for community builders for next year that I can read to K-5 grades. This one absolutely knocked my socks off. It's bucket filling at a deeper level. When a girl steals a purse from a woman she finds it is filled with acorns. The woman allowed her to take the purse on one condition, "If you promise to plant them, I'll let go." This is not a story about planting trees. It's about planting love, care, kindness, happiness.....all of the good. And the girl does just that. She goes from communities to cities to neighborhoods...planting. And all the while, touching people's lives and bringing with her a light to erase the darkness people feel. This book really touched me. Highly recommend. 



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Book Review: Penny and Her Marble


















Author/Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up
Other Books in This Series: Penny and Her Doll,Penny and Her Song 
 

From the Book Jacket: When Penny spots a marble in Mrs. Goodwin's front yard, she picks it up, puts it in her pocket, and takes it home. It's a beautiful marble - it's big, shiny, blue, smooth, and fast, and Penny loves it. But does the marble really belong to Penny?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I'm always thinking about how I can help the students in my school build character. Enter Penny. Guilt. Remorse. These are the feelings you have when you do not practice integrity and honesty. This is what happens to Penny. She takes something that does not belong to her and at first she is excited by her new item. But eventually it starts to eat at her because it does not belong to her. She pretty much can't function until she does the right thing - put it back where she found it. I just absolutely love this story. It represents the important morals and values we want to teach our children. Love Love! More please!

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Stealing and Honesty

Yoon and the Jade Bracelet
Author: Helen Recorvits
Illustrated by Gabi Swiatkoska
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: It is Yoon's birthday and all she wants is a jump rope so she can jump and sing with the other girls in the school yard. Instead, Yoon's mother gives her a Korean storybook about a silly girl who is tricked by a tiger. Yoon also receives a jade bracelet that once belonged to her grandmother. The next day at school, an older girl invites Yoon to join in jump rope, but she wants to borrow Yoon's bracelte for the afternoon. When Yoon tries to get her bracelet back, the girl swears it belongs to her. Yoon must use the lessons learned in her storybook and Her "Shining Wisdom" to retrieve the precious keepsake.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This was thoroughly enjoyed by all of the classes I read to at the end of last year. It's got a lot of good stuff in it regarding friendship, telling the truth, being proud of who you are, and stealing. Even though it was easy to focus on the older girl and how she had wronged Yoon. It become apparent to the kids that Yoon actually played a part in getting herself in this circumstance. Some great discussion questions we pondered: Why are some kids willing to sacrifice who they are and their values for a friendship? When faced with a tough decision, how can we motivate ourselves to do the right thing? How can we stay true ourselves?  I also loved the cultural angle - there is definitely a struggle for some kids to fit in for fear of being rejected. Can't wait to read it again this year.


Little Croc's Purse
Author/Illustrator: Lizzie Finlay
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: One hot day, Little Croc finds a lost purse. "Finders keepers!" shout his friends, imagining a treat of lemonade and a lovely cool swim. But Little Croc is determined to find the purse's owner...Will his honesty be rewarded? Or will he be tempted to spend the money inside?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This story reminded me of the word temptation. Kids (and adults) can be put in positions where they are tempted to make the wrong decision - because they might benefit. Long story short here.....Little Croc does the right thing but not without his friends pressuring him to keep the purse. In the end, he gets to keep the purse as his reward for being honest. The only thing I would change in this story is putting more focus on the internal rewards he received for doing the right thing. Sure, it's great he gets the purse - but that's not the TRUE reward. Make sure to go into this with your kids/students. Definitely glad this is on my bookshelf. 

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Book Review: The Lunch Thief

Author: Anne C Bromley
Illustrator: Robert Casilla
Interest Level: Ages 9-12

About This Book: Rafael is hungry because someone stole his lunch. His mom had packed his lunch bag with two burritos, a bag of corn chips, some carrots, and an apple. Once a week she tucks in a slice of her special lemon pound cake. Rafael saw Kevin, a new kid in his class, sneak his lunch bag from underneath his desk and tuck it in his backpack. But how can he do something about the theft without picking a fight? Inspired by his mother's advice to use his mouth before his fists, Rafael bides his time, but other kids' lunches are disappearing, too. On an errand with his mom, Rafael sees Kevin carrying a bundle of laundry into a motel room, and his mom tells him Kevin's family might be one of the families who lost their homes in the recent wildfires. Rafael rethinks his anger. The next day, instead of accusing Kevin, Rafael invites him to share his lunch, letting him know he's been caught, but offering friendship as well as a good meal.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: When I first get a new book, I usually skim the synopsis to see what I'm getting into. Based on the title I thought The Lunch Thief was going to be about stealing and maybe bullying - so I started to read and went on an unexpected journey. It's the type of picture book I relish reading to students. Never judge a book by it's title. The Lunch Thief is not about a thief, it's about a hungry boy named Kevin living in a motel. And yes, the kids know it's not okay to steal. But why would someone steal? We are a community and need to understand one another. Rafael does this for Kevin. The kids started to make a connection right away that this wasn't a story about bullying or Thou Shall Not Steal. Hands started flying up as I asked questions about what might be going on in Kevin's life that he is taking others' food. Kevin is not mean, not a bully, and not trying to hurt kids on purpose. He's trying to survive. The last page proves this as he offers a quarter to Rafael as payment for his lunch. One student commented, "Kevin never wanted to steal in the first place." Bingo! (great book for inference) I felt really connected to the students as we figured these things out together. The Lunch Thief teaches empathy, understanding, and helping one another. And gosh do we need more of that within our communities. Bravo for this book.

A Link to the Teacher Activities that accompany The Lunch Thief.

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Book Review: Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie

Author: Laura Rankin
Interest Level: Ages 4-9

About This Book: Ruthie, a fox girl, loves teeny-tiny things, so when she finds a miniature camera in the schoolyard, she claims it as her own. And lies about it when fellow student Martin tells their teacher, Mrs. Olsen, that the camera belongs to Ruthie. The rest of the afternoon is long for Ruthie, and at home that night, she ruminates over her crime until she finally comes clean with her parents. Having been counseled that honesty is the best policy, Ruthie, with much trepidation, tells her teacher and Martin what she has done. Mrs. Olsen praises her for telling the truth, and Martin forgives her, too. A real-life situation might not have such a happy ending, but this gets right to the heart of what children feel when they know they've done something wrong but don't know how to set things right. The sprightly artwork is cheery in all respects, except when it comes to Ruthie. With subtle brushstrokes, Rankin captures all the varied emotions Ruthie goes through: glee, defiance, worry, fear, and eventually relief.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This age group (4-9) needs more books like this. I use this story as an opportunity to tell children that no matter what they have done - lying is always the Bigger problem. Kids can get into a habit of automatically wanting to improve their situation by lying. I love how the author shows how impacted Ruthie is both emotionally and even physically. Honesty is the best policy - that saying just never gets old. You are going to want this one on your shelf.


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