Author: Edith Cohn
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Millionaires for a Month by Stacy McAnulty
Skateboard Sibby by Clare O'Connor
Rating:
Summary (provided by publisher): For as long as eleven-year-old Birdie can remember, it's always been just her and her mom, which means there's not a lot of extra money to spend on things like new clothes and batons from the fancy gymnastics store. Still, they always find a way to make ends meet. Then Birdie makes one silly mistake that has a big consequence: Mom loses her job. Now things are more dire than ever, and Birdie knows it's up to her to fix it.
When Birdie discovers a huge stash of cash in an abandoned house, she just knows it must be the answer to their problems. But the people who left that money behind aren't willing to give it up so easily. Does “finders, keepers” count when it's half a million dollars?
My opinion: The strength in this book is definitely the moral dilemma. Cohn presents us with a believable scenario. Bridie is old enough to recognize both the precarious nature of her financial situation and the likely suspicious nature of the money she finds. She is a realistic character, likeable but not perfect. She justifies a lot of bad decisions, keeping secrets and alienating those closest to her. She lies and manipulates. Since her ultimate goal is selfless she remains likeable. She also faces consequences for all of her bad decisions. The messaging is clear enough to allow for a solid discussion with a group of young readers.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
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