Bright Shining Moment by Deb Loughead, 170 pages. Second Story Press, 2018. $8
Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (bullying; teacher hitting student hands with a stick/belt)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
The story takes place in Canada during the winter 1942-1943. We meet Aline, a 12 year old girl and her family. They live in a stone house her dad built by himself. They are poor, and Aline is constantly remind of how poor they are. Aline feels bad she cannot bring any money to the school to be donated to the poor and needy. One day she steals a dime from her mom's purse. When she comes to school it is too late to donate. Aline is torn with what to do now with the dime. Her decisions haunt her for a long time and she starts seeing her life, and other people's life in a different way.
I liked this book, and I felt for Aline. She is a very believable character and I could picture her and feel her torment as she goes through the winter months of that year. The second world war is raging and this book describes another war - the war inside of Aline. The story is heartwarming and a great feel-good story. This would be a wonderful read-aloud in a classroom as well as a good read for students to read on their own. I would recommend this book to students grade 3 - 7.
Ellen-Anita, Librarian
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