Very valuable lesson to be learned here. Really enjoyed reading this book. Was a nice and easy, comfortable read.

Feel good historical fiction set during WW2 in Canada, but easily relatable to children anywhere. Aline's family isn't the poorest family in her school, but they are on a very tight budget and just make ends meet. Aline, upset that she can't contribute 10 cents to the war effort, steals the dime from her mother's purse. Of course, circumstances occur shortly there after that cause her to feel guilty over the theft. Could be shelved with Xmas holiday books as the story culminates at that time of year and involves Christmas, or just placed with fiction with what I think would be good results. I'm pretty sure grades 4 and up will enjoy this story. Heart warming, family centered story.

I had the opportunity to read a NetGalley digital ARC of this historic fiction novel in exchange for a review. This book takes readers to Christmastime in Ottawa, Canada in 1942. Many families were struggling to make ends meet as World War II was taking place. Aline’s family was more fortunate than many other families, but they still had to save every penny to buy food and necessities, and they even rented the upstairs of their house to tenants to make extra money.
And while Aline had a roof over her head, warm clothes, and enough food to eat, she still resented that her parents weren’t wealthy enough to buy the extras like candy, toys, and fancy clothes like some of her other schoolmates. But there were other students like Aline’s nemesis, Jeanine, who had little in the way of food, wearable clothes, or a loving family.
Longing to be able to contribute coins to the little charity box on her teacher’s desk, Aline steals a dime out of her mother’s purse. Upon arrival to school with the money for the box, Aline discovers that the box has already been sent to the charity and it’s too late to contribute. Instead of returning the dime to her mother’s purse, however, Aline buys candy with it instead. This seems to set in motion a series of unfortunate events, that while unconnected with this misdeed, makes Aline feel very remorseful for her thievery.
While this book takes place in Canada during the 1940s, I believe that middle grade students in America now will be able to relate to many of the circumstances and feelings that Aline expresses. The temptation of stealing money from a mother’s purse, the feelings of sadness and guilt when the ill-gotten candy isn’t enjoyable, the anger and fear when fighting with the class bully are all situations that many students today find themselves in. I also think that there are some good lessons in this book as Aline learns that honesty is the best policy and the importance of treating others with kindness. This book would be good for readers who enjoy historical fiction stories that take place during the World War II era.

Although I really like the idea of this book, I had a hard time getting into the book. It took me some time to figure out when and where it took place. This made me not like this book- especially since it is a children's book. But as I figured out what was going on I liked the story and the message. I also was turned off by talking about used chewing gum. It may appeal to kids.

Aline’s family is so poor that she can’t even bring used chewing gum to school for the Sisters to use to hang posters on the classroom walls. The Great Depression hasn’t just hit the United States, it haunts Canada, too.

Readers follow Aline as she navigates friendships, family dynamics, and what it means to be poor. Told in the first person, the narrator struggles to understand that the world doesn’t follow strict black and white patterns. As she recounts the events leading up to her bright shining moment, she begins to understand how a small shift in perspective can allow more light into her world.

Parents and teachers might want to read this whimsical and thought-provoking story out loud to their 8-10-year-olds to help them navigate and discuss the French-Canadian vocabulary and customs. Older students will be able to find more information on the Internet on their own.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Very sweet novel about a little girl who learns to be grateful for her family and the sacrifices that have been made for her.

Aline is a twelve year old girl. She has a problem. How can someone love her family so much, and yet still be embarrassed about them. She knows her family is poor. They don't have any of the nice things other girls her age have. She doesn't even have any old chewed up gum that her teacher uses to stick pictures on the wall. That is just too embarrassing. Not only that she has a bully girl in her class that is always out to get her.
Than at Christmas she begins to see, that it isn't how much money a person has that makes them rich. That it's the love of family and friends, old and new. It's
about being grateful for enough food to eat, a warm place to sleep, and a place that you own, your home. In that bright shining moment she learns that there is something to be grateful about in each thing around us both big and small.