Penny Power: Saving Strawberry Farm by Deborah Hopkinson and Rachel Isadora

The sun was so mean that summer, it seemed to chase all the clouds away.

The Great Depression and the mean sun both bear down on the land. Jobs are disappearing, and cash money is scarce. The family lights only one room after dark, and nobody eats meat. On the Fourth of July, Mom says they can only afford a small block of ice from Russell's Store to chill some holiday lemonade.

Davey and Rose walk to the general store, lingering longingly at the penny candy counter. Seeing him standing there, Mr. Russell asks Davey to help their neighbor, Miss Elsie, carry out her groceries. On the way Davey asks Miss Elsie if he can work at Strawberry Farm for her in the spring.

"Davey, there probably won't be a Strawberry Farm next summer...." She sighed.

Miss Elsie pulled out an old brown penny from her purse. "I don't have many pennies left, but I still like to tip a good boy."

Back inside the store, Davey learns that the bank is auctioning Strawberry Farm that night for non-payment of the mortgage. "That's not fair," cried Davey. "Lots of people don't have much money now."

The grownups think for a bit, and Mr. Russell suggests they organize a "penny auction," to save Miss Elsie's farm from the bank takeover. He asks Davey to go to everyone in town, show his penny, and ask them to come, bringing as many pennies as they can spare, to the auction.

Davey hurries from house to house, and by the time he and Rosie get home, the ice is getting a bit drippy, but everyone has promised to show up for Miss Elsie's farm. That night Davey opens the bidding with the old brown penny, and penny by penny, dime by dime, the bids climb until the final bid is Miss Elsie's.

"Nine dollars and seventy-five cents for Strawberry Farm."

The townsfolk pass the hat and throw in their change, and Miss Elsie drives her old truck back home, home to Strawberry Farm.

Saving Strawberry Farm is set a lifetime ago in harder but simpler times, but its theme of neighborly goodwill is still welcome. Isadora's soft, nostalgic paintings, with ruddy smiling children and homely scenes, evoke the illustrative style of the 1930's and reinforce this simple story beautifully.

This book is a nominee for the 2010 Tennessee Volunteer State Children's Choice Book Award in the K-3 division.