Saving Strawberry Farm

by Deborah Hopkinson, Rachel Isadora (Illustrator)

One penny. In the hot, mean summer of 1933, a penny is enough to buy caramels or red hots or peppermint sticks or licorice strings. Is it enough to buy Miss Elsie's Strawberry Farm? There's only one way to find out. Davey takes a deep breath and shouts, "One penny for Strawberry Farm!" Set during the Great Depression, and illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Rachel Isadora, Saving Strawberry Farm brings Davey's Midwestern town to life as friends and neighbors plan to save the farm the only way they can -- with a secret penny auction!

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Summer, Inspirational, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 26, 2005

About the author

I write nonfiction and historical fiction, picture books, and Golden Books. I speak at school, libraries, and conferences. I also love to garden and offer manuscript critiques. (Deborahhopkinson@yahoo.com)

NEW books in 2024 include DETERMINED DREAMER: THE STORY OF MARIE CURIE, illus by Jen Hill, ON A SUMMER NIGHT, illus by Kenard Pak, TRIM HELPS OUT and TRIM SAILS the STORM, illus by Kristy Caldwell, EVIDENCE! illustrated by Nik Henderson, and a nonfiction work called THEY SAVED THE STALLIONS. I'm delighted to say that Trim Helps Out, Trim Sails the Storm, On a Summer Night and Evidence! are all Junior Library Guild selections.

I live and work in Oregon and travel all over to speak to young readers and writers.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just okay for me. I think I was frustrated because I felt it could have been so much better. There were a few good moments story-wise, but mostly the narrative felt uninspired. Isadora's illustrations were good, but not sparkling like most of her work. Still, it's a good, gentle introduction to the troubles of the Great Depression instilling a good spirit of teamwork and community.

Some parents may want to peruse the historical note at the end to see if it fits with their family's political philosophy as the author is heavily pro-New Deal and looked down upon bankers of the time--given our sensitive economic issues at present, some families may not appreciate that view.

[Celia Buell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about a community that bands together during the Great Depression to save a beloved town strawberry farm from foreclosure.

I think this is a great book to supplement curriculum on the Great Depression for young readers, especially to think about how people can come together in times of hardship, and even without much knowledge of the Great Depression many students could get a lot out of this book with only a short background knowledge lesson, because of the focus on community and coming together to help someone.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy witnesses his community come together to save a neighbor's farm in this work of picture book historical fiction, set in the American Midwest during the hot summer of 1933. When Miss Elsie's strawberry farm is threatened with foreclosure, because she can no longer make her payments to the bank, the people in Davey's small town decide to hold a penny auction, keeping the price low enough that she can afford to buy it again. Davey, who for his part had been thinking of spending the penny he earned at the general store while carrying Miss Elsie's bags, uses the special coin to launch the auction...

I originally sought out Saving Strawberry Farm because I found it on a list of picture books about the Fourth of July, which just recently passed. As it happens, although the story is set around the holiday, and although Davey's family plans at one point to hold a Fourth of July picnic, the book is not really concerned with this topic, and is more about the ravages of the Great Depression on a midwestern farming community. I found the story here engaging, and thought it was interesting to see a picture book about a penny auction. That said, I didn't find myself as emotionally involved as I expected to be, and I'm not sure why. This is the fifth picture book I have read from author Deborah Hopkinson, and with the exception of her A Letter to My Teacher , I find that I enjoy her work, but that it doesn't make a deep impression on me. I have similar feelings about illustrator Rachel Isadora, whose work I have encountered in a number of picture books. With the exception of her illustrations for Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Match Girl , I have found her work pleasant, but not especially memorable. Tastes vary of course, so other readers and listeners may have stronger positive reactions. I'd recommend this one to picture book audiences that enjoy historical fiction, and to anyone seeking children's stories about the Great Depression.

[Paige Czepiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in a small town during the Great Depression, "Saving Strawberry Farm" follows a young boy named Davey as he sets out to help a local woman, Miss Elsie, save her beloved Strawberry Farm from the bank. Davey knows that times are tough, but this reality is put into perspective when he learns that Miss Elsie is at risk of losing her farm, which has always been the gem of the town. No one knows what to do, but Davey has a bright idea. Although no one has much money to spare, the whole town rallies behind Davey to put on a penny auction in the hope of saving Strawberry Farm.

A major theme in "Saving Strawberry Farm" is the idea of helping those in need, no matter your own circumstances.

Rating: 3/5

I enjoyed this story, but it didn't blow me away. I think it does a great job of addressing an important historical topic (the Great Depression) in a way that is easy enough for young readers to understand without being upset in any way. I also loved how the main character was able to rally the entire town behind a common cause despite his young age — I think this sends a great message. However, I just didn't come away from this story feeling profoundly impacted. It's good, but not great.

I recommend this book for young readers because of its informative subject matter and age-appropriate examination of a historically relevant topic. I also recommend this story for its optimism and positive messages.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reveals the hardships faced during the Great Depression in one small agricultural town and how the townsfolk found a way to save one of their own from losing her beloved strawberry farm. Penny auctions seem like an inspiring way to keep a bank from bringing people to ruin. It's a shame that a bank would foreclose on a small farmer when the country was in the throes of such a tragic event, but there you go. I suppose the banks were feeling it too. I don't really know. Still, I liked the book.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about a community coming together during the Great Depression. The concepts (foreclosure, auction, etc.) might be too much for younger children to grasp, but for older kids this is a good introduction to a complicated time in history.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story of a town that comes together to save their neighbors strawberry farm during the great depression. I enjoyed it a lot but I don't know how relatable it is to kids. Would not use it for storytime, but maybe with older kids.

[Elizabeth Wa-Baguma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good story set during the Great Depression. A little boy helps rally the town to help save a neighbors farm in a penny auction. Also teaches kids about wants and needs when times are lean.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good heartfelt book about coming together to help those in need.

[Christy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of how two children save Miss Elsie's strawberry farm with a penny auction during the Depression.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming historical fiction tale for early elementary children who are learning about life during the Great Depression.

[Edward Creter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to do a review on a story that honors one of my fave fruits--strawberries. Mostly to get back at none other than talk DJ Howard Stern, who commented in his auto-bio Private Parts that director Ingmar Bergman should be drawn and quartered for making depressing films with "unrealistic" scenes involving cute girls offering boxes of strawberry goodness to bad guys. (Example: the Grim Reaper in The Seventh Seal got such a care package. Awww!) Howard has lost a wonderful childhood by hating anything sweet-natured, especially involving strawberries. To which I say: Vengeance is MINE, saith the Lord. So, Howard, this one's for you (to quote Barry Manilow, another unrealistic man, and happliy so!). This tale is set in the Great Depression, and a young boy has to save the farm of a nice lady farmer, a farm filled with plump strawberries! (Horrors, Mr. Stern!) So he goes to the farm auction and starts a sensation by opening his bid for the farm...by using only, ever, one penny. And, boy, do those extra pennies from other folks add up quickly! So. What say, Mr. Stern, that I gather up folks on my own from GR and send your sorry ass some huge boxes of strawberries to prove, once and for all, that love does exist, even for one such as you, and see if YOU like it! Ha! Revenge, truly, is sweet!

[Jamie]

This story takes place during the Great Depression in 1929. Davey's mother sent him to the store to get a block of ice. Davey runs into Miss Elsie. The store owner asks Davey to help Miss ELsie out with her bags. Davey helps her. Miss Elsie owns the Strawberry Farm. Davey asks her if he could work on her farm next season. She tells him that she doesn't know if the farm will still be there. He was confused. Miss Elsie gave Davey a penny as a tip for helping with her bags. The store owner tells Davey that Miss Elsie is losing her farm to the bank and is being auctioned off today. The store owner tells Davey that he should get friends and family to place a penny auction so Miss Elsie can bid back her farm at a low price. Davey gathers his friend and family to save the farm. Miss Elsie is able to buy back her farm.

[Celia Buell (semi hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about a community that bands together during the Great Depression to save a beloved town strawberry farm from foreclosure.

I think this is a great book to supplement curriculum on the Great Depression for young readers, especially to think about how people can come together in times of hardship, and even without much knowledge of the Great Depression many students could get a lot out of this book with only a short background knowledge lesson, because of the focus on community and coming together to help someone.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story; could have been based upon true life story from years ago. Teaching generations of children how hard life was back when their grandparents were little. How a community came together in the heat of the summer during a time to celebrate the nations birthday but instead to rescue a dear neighbor and friend to be able to stay with their home. Illustrations are beautifully drawn as well.

[Gail Barge]

This would be a good book to include when studying the Great Depression and the affects it had on the farming communities of the country. The fact that the main characters are kids also makes it very easy to connect with for students. It reminded me of Grandpa's Corner Store, a story I read about a young boy who works to save his Grandfather's store from closing.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book actually really sad even as children's book it really shows just how difficult the depression was on what a toll it took on everyone.
Just a small little strawberry farm is so significant in this town that its towns people all pitch in so that miss elisa can keep her strawberry farm impacting the rest of the town. this story, although depression has an uplighting ending.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

11/12/2010 I read this to my class during the time that we were collecting food to help families in need in our school. My 4th graders were struck by the idea of a penny auction and connected with the ways in which the characters helped others. I'll definitely read this aloud again.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, very touching story. Does anyone else cry when they read bedtime stories to their kids? I hope that through books like this my kids can gain an understanding of how blessed they are and what it means to truly sacrifice.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saving the strawberry farm, a little boy and his sister help a woman by starting the auction for her farm off at $1. Could use this book to discuss how auctions work and do a mock auction in the classroom.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes place during the Great Depression in a farm type community. It talks about an entire community working together to help someone out. You could read this book at the beginning of the school year and explain your classroom is like a community and everyone helps each other out.

[Ashley Enlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book shows the importance of money. I also think that the hard work and dedication from the little children is phenomenal. Great way to introduce 1930's and how the value of money changes for older children who grasp money.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

family/town, summer, summer food, strawberries, farms

older kids - longer and set in the time of the depression

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet title that could be a good book for a unit on the Great Depression. It is too long for a short storytime for younger children, but it should work well with older children.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more than I did. It feels a touch too "sweet" for me. Great topic (Great Depression) and a kid-friendly/approachable story.

[Melanie Swider Wenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

HF book set in the Great Depression time period.

[Chelsea Kimmey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes place during a hard time where the community comes together to help a woman from losing her strawberry farm.

[Natalie Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book to read to show kids how to get along

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like every book that has a farm or animals in it make me happy. Just something about these books makes me feel happy down inside

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet Depression-era story.

3/29/17 Read with Naomi & Julia