from Kansas, who lives a very different lifestyle than she does. She also manages to find herself several other pen pals, including President Roosevelt and his wife, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt! Hannah is able to find both peace and friendship during even the roughest times in this story.
The theme of this book is that even when life seems hard, there is always still some good in the world. It teaches readers to focus on the "violets" of life, not just the negative aspects, which is an image Mrs. Roosevelt uses in a letter to help cheer Hannah up. It is possible for positive things to occur in life, even when circumstances are sometimes not ideal.
Since Hannah has many pen pals, the book is completely composed of her letters to and from these distant friends. Events in Hannah's life are all expressed through letters that Hannah sends or receives. It is simple to understand each character's personality, voice, and status by assessing their writing style, penmanship, and stationary. The format of this book was particularly enjoyable as it enhanced the overall message of the story.
Mindy Warshaw Skolsky does a fabulous job of integrating history, humor, wit, education, and adventure all into one great plot. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as it teaches a great moral along with factual information about the Great Depression, even though history-learning was not the focus of the book. In this way, students can infer about life during the Great Depression through the contexts of the story. I would highly recommend this book for use as a read aloud or for independent reading; however, there are a few mild comments that might prompt questions from students.
Worth
by A. LaFaye, 2006
NY: Simon & Schuster Books.
- Appropriate grade level: 4th-5th
- Independent reading level: 5.0
- Rating:
- Genre: Historical fiction
Worth by A. LaFaye is a historical fiction novel that takes place on a farm in Nebraska during the 1870's. Nathaniel is the main character in the story who lives and works with his parents on their farm. One evening, as Nathaniel and his father were working quickly to bring some hay in before a storm arrived, Nathaniel severely injured his leg in an accident. His father blamed himself and was upset because his only son was injured and he now had no one to help him on the farm. One day Nathaniel's father comes home with a troubled orphan boy named Worth to help around the farm. Nathaniel does not like the idea of another boy being around the house, getting close to his father. He becomes jealous and doesn't want anything to do with Worth. While the talk of ranch wars becomes the news around town, Nathaniel and Worth have to learn how to work together to save their land and everyone else's as well.
A. LaFaye did a fantastic joy of keeping my interest until the very end. Her descriptive words and inclusion of details throughout the story helped me visualize each scene and setting. Writing from the viewpoint of Nathaniel, LaFaye enables connections with the main character and actively encourages empathy on the part of the reader. By focusing on the theme of accepting changes and adapting throughout life, Worth teaches even young students how to accept life circumstances and be happy with who they are.
This book would be an excellent read aloud for students in 4th and 5th grade. Even though the story includes delving into deep topics and has several emotional moments, it is still appropriate for students in the upper elementary grades.
Reviewed by Allison Sells, a senior elementary and early childhood education major from Poplar Bluff, MO
Reviewed byWhitney Copeland, a senior elementary and early childhood education major from Bolivar, MO
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