First published 1986
Michael treasures the time he spends with his great-great-aunt Dew, who has lived for a full century. She keeps a special wooden box filled with one hundred pennies, each representing a year of her long life. Through these pennies, Aunt Dew shares stories from her past, connecting Michael to family history he never knew existed. But when Michael's mother decides the old woman and her belongings are taking up too much space in their home, tension builds in the household. Michael must find a way to protect what matters most to Aunt Dew while navigating the complex dynamics between the adults in his life. The relationship between the young boy and his elderly relative becomes a source of wisdom, memory, and love that transcends their age difference. This Newbery Honor winner captures the precious bond between generations through intimate moments and the power of shared stories.
Genres: literary-fiction, family-life, historical-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, intergenerational-bond
Period: 20th-century
48 pages · Paperback · Puffin Books