Back of Book: Brrr! Georgie wakes up to a freezing morning in 1920s Pennsylvania and gets the bad news that there is no coal to heat the farmhouse―and he knows there is no money to buy more, either. Just after he finds this out, along comes his friend Harley, who drags him off on an adventure to find some mysterious “black gold.” Before Georgie can catch his breath, he’s in a pile of trouble―all the way up to his ears! Take a trip back in time and join Georgie in this heartwarming tale of mischief made and lessons learned in America’s storied past.
My Review: The Coal Thief is a beautiful story about a little boy who learns a very valuable lesson. Georgie thinks that he is going on an adventure instead, he is asked to steal coal from a train. This action causes Georgie to end up in trouble, creating a perfect lesson to teach to children. Georgie’s father shows him that if he shares the coal with others, he can bless them. I love that this book combines history, with valuable skills about having integrity and helping others. The story also teaches readers about taking responsibility for their actions, and choosing good friends. The illustrations are stunning and draw a reader into the story. The ending is sweet, and allows readers to see an example of doing the right thing.
Ages 5 and up
32 Pages
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