Written by Maribeth Boelts, Illustrated by Noah Z. Jones
Ruben feels like he is the only kid without a bike. His friend Sergio reminds him that his birthday is coming, but Ruben knows that the kinds of birthday gifts he and Sergio receive are not the same. After all, when Ruben’s mom sends him to Sonny’s corner store for groceries, sometimes she doesn’t have enough money for everything on the list. So when Ruben sees a dollar bill fall out of someone’s purse, he picks it up and puts it in his pocket. But when he gets home, he discovers it’s not one dollar or even five or ten—it’s a hundred-dollar bill, more than enough for a new bike just like Sergio’s! But what about the crossed-off groceries? And what about the woman who lost her money? — From the publisher
This book is great for discussions. I love stories that present moral dilemmas. It allows students to see both sides of the issue and think about what they would do. Sometimes making the right choice is not easy to do. This book does a great job showing the complex emotions that go along with that. I love the line in the book..”I am happy and mixed up, full and empty, with what’s right and what’s gone.”
Review by Vanessa Eyre, Robert Frost Media Center
Rating: ★★★★✩ (4 stars)
Interest Level: Grades K-3
A Bike Like Sergio’s
Written by Maribeth Boelts, Illustrated by Noah Z. Jones
Candlewick Press
34 pages
Release Date: October 4, 2016
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
Thanks for your review.