Bright Shining Moment

by Deb Loughead

Aline hides under the hay when her father takes her to school in their horse-drawn sled. She’s embarrassed that her mother raises chickens in their yard, and doesn’t want her school friends to find out that their family has taken in boarders for the extra money. When she learns that her sworn enemy, Jeanine, can buy chewing gum, Aline is furious at the unfairness. She knows that Jeanine’s family is even poorer than her own. When Aline’s mother can’t spare any money for a charity drive at school, Aline decides to steal a coin from her purse. She quickly feels terrible. But how can she confess? Aline comes to realize that life is more complicated than she thought. A ten-cent coin can cost you more in unhappiness than you ever imagined, a sworn enemy can become a friend, and the hard times make the bright and shining moments glow even brighter.

Genres: Middle Grade, Canada, Historical Fiction

178 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2018

Reviews

[Shai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bright Shining Moment is about the story of a sixth grader Adeline Sauriol, or Aline to her family and acquaintances, who lives in Hittonburg, Ottawa. She was being bullied by one of her classmates, Jeanine, who is from Mechanicsville which is the poorest area in their village. And one of her wishes is to be able to contribute to the charity box in their class someday. However, their family isn't that wealthy also because they also need money for their daily expenses.

Then one day, Aline finally decided to steal a dime from her mother's purse, but when she came to school, the charity box was already gone. Aline and her cousin, Lucille, bought a 10-cent worth of candies instead of returning it to her mother. And one thing leads to another because her secrets and lies started to pile up.

I might have found Aline's story adorable such as how to frighten she was keeping her secrets, but in reality, it is not. Being bully is the biggest problem she encountered, and I like how the story addressed it and on how to handle it. Bullies are bullies because they have unsolved problems in their lives, or they are trying to hide the horrible or miserable situation they are in. Compassion and love is an effective way to solve bullying because revenge and violence will not resolve it, instead, it will become more serious in the long run. And that is what one of the lessons readers could acquire from reading this wonderful children's book. This is highly recommendable for middle graders, but young adults and older readers will undeniably adore reading Aline's story in this book.

[Doris Vandruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aline is a twelve year old girl. She has a problem. How can someone love her family so much, and yet still be embarrassed about them. She knows her family is poor. They don't have any of the nice things other girls her age have. She doesn't even have any old chewed up gum that her teacher uses to stick pictures on the wall. That is just too embarrassing. Not only that she has a bully girl in her class that is always out to get her.
Than at Christmas she begins to see, that it isn't how much money a person has that makes them rich. That it's the love of family and friends, old and new. It's
about being grateful for enough food to eat, a warm place to sleep, and a place that you own, your home. In that bright shining moment she learns that there is something to be grateful about in each thing around us both big and small.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

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
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Anita Ojeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aline’s family is so poor that she can’t even bring used chewing gum to school for the Sisters to use to hang posters on the classroom walls. The Great Depression hasn’t just hit the United States, it haunts Canada, too.

Readers follow Aline as she navigates friendships, family dynamics, and what it means to be poor. Told in the first person, the narrator struggles to understand that the world doesn’t follow strict black and white patterns. As she recounts the events leading up to her bright shining moment, she begins to understand how a small shift in perspective can allow more light into her world.

Parents and teachers might want to read this whimsical and thought-provoking story out loud to their 8-10-year-olds to help them navigate and discuss the French-Canadian vocabulary and customs. Older students will be able to find more information on the Internet on their own.

[Sylvia McNicoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It has a Brian Doyle-meets-Laura Ingalls feel to it. Deb Loughead, an accomplished writer of many internationally published novels, through the eyes of 12 year-old Ailine Sauriol gives us a beautiful retro-feel photograph of family life in the Ottawa Valley during the post depression, early WWII era. Times may seem simpler, more innocent, but poverty and lack of social welfare can turn illness into anguish. Small genuine details of how people stretched pennies and survived will prove fascinating to readers but ultimately it is the character of Ailine that will enchant. Family, whether it includes 13 children or only one, can soften the blow of outrageous fortune as long as we truly love.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feel good historical fiction set during WW2 in Canada, but easily relatable to children anywhere. Aline's family isn't the poorest family in her school, but they are on a very tight budget and just make ends meet. Aline, upset that she can't contribute 10 cents to the war effort, steals the dime from her mother's purse. Of course, circumstances occur shortly there after that cause her to feel guilty over the theft. Could be shelved with Xmas holiday books as the story culminates at that time of year and involves Christmas, or just placed with fiction with what I think would be good results. I'm pretty sure grades 4 and up will enjoy this story. Heart warming, family centered story.

I received a Kindle ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Nancy Graben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Very sweet novel about a little girl who learns to be grateful for her family and the sacrifices that have been made for her.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read a NetGalley digital ARC of this historic fiction novel in exchange for a review. This book takes readers to Christmastime in Ottawa, Canada in 1942. Many families were struggling to make ends meet as World War II was taking place. Aline’s family was more fortunate than many other families, but they still had to save every penny to buy food and necessities, and they even rented the upstairs of their house to tenants to make extra money.
And while Aline had a roof over her head, warm clothes, and enough food to eat, she still resented that her parents weren’t wealthy enough to buy the extras like candy, toys, and fancy clothes like some of her other schoolmates. But there were other students like Aline’s nemesis, Jeanine, who had little in the way of food, wearable clothes, or a loving family.
Longing to be able to contribute coins to the little charity box on her teacher’s desk, Aline steals a dime out of her mother’s purse. Upon arrival to school with the money for the box, Aline discovers that the box has already been sent to the charity and it’s too late to contribute. Instead of returning the dime to her mother’s purse, however, Aline buys candy with it instead. This seems to set in motion a series of unfortunate events, that while unconnected with this misdeed, makes Aline feel very remorseful for her thievery.
While this book takes place in Canada during the 1940s, I believe that middle grade students in America now will be able to relate to many of the circumstances and feelings that Aline expresses. The temptation of stealing money from a mother’s purse, the feelings of sadness and guilt when the ill-gotten candy isn’t enjoyable, the anger and fear when fighting with the class bully are all situations that many students today find themselves in. I also think that there are some good lessons in this book as Aline learns that honesty is the best policy and the importance of treating others with kindness. This book would be good for readers who enjoy historical fiction stories that take place during the World War II era.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1942 when the teacher asks the students to bring in used gum to put up posters, Aline is embarrassed that they can't afford any. At every turn her arch enemy Jeanine seems to make her life miserable. When Jeanine's mom passes away Aline realizes she has a lot more than some families. A great story about compassion and empathy and being thankful.

[The Endless Unread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very valuable lesson to be learned here. Really enjoyed reading this book. Was a nice and easy, comfortable read.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a classic family story that will appeal to readers both young and old. Aline is a young girl who is embarrassed by her family's poverty and wishes that she was rich, as she perceives many of the other students to be. She feels alone and helpless, especially given the fact that she is unable to give a donation to the poor families that are in need. Adding to her struggles, Aline is bullied by Jeanine, the resident mean girl at her school, who constantly teases Aline for her family being poor.

However, things begin to look up for Aline, when during the christmas season, she begins to realize it is not material objects that make a person rich. Rather, it is the little things--food, clothing, shelter and most importantly the love they have for others and the kindness they show. It is during one conversation with her mother that Aline realizes that everything will be alright as long as she has love in her heart, kindness and patience for others.

The author does a fantastic job bringing the character of Aline and all her friends to life, allowing readers into Aline's world and experience what life was like during WWII in the post-depression era. She displays the struggles of these families so well, and will give young readers a glimpse into the past. This is a classic read, that will keep children coming back again and again. I will definitely read more of this author's work in the future.

* I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My sincere thanks to Netgalley, the Author and Second Story Press for this amazing opportunity. It is very much appreciated.*