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A Penny for a Hundred
In 1944, in northern Maine, a nine-year-old girl befriends a German prisoner of war who works with her in her father's potato fields. Includes recipes for Swedish pancakes and stollen
- GenresPicture Books
31 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
About the author
Ethel Pochocki
41 books8 followersEthel Frances Pochocki was a children's book author living in Brooks, Maine.
She developed a passion for books and writing working at the New York City Public Library. While raising eight children, she turned to writing in the early morning hours. Her writing career began when she won an essay writing contest about her experience taking in inner city kids with the Fresh Air Project in New York City. Through the 1960s and 1970s, she contributed numerous essays and poems to the leading Catholic publications of the time. Her award winning books include her collaborations with Maine illustrator Mary Beth Owens, such as The Gazebo, Penny for a Hundred and Rosebud and Red Flannel. She also collaborated with award winning illustrator Barry Moser on Blessing of the Beasts and The Mushroom Man.
Her contributions to children's literature were recognized by the Maine Library Association with the 2008 Katahdin Award for Lifetime Achievement and the 1991 Lupine Award for outstanding childrens literature. Her classic, Penny for a Hundred, was designated a notable book of 1996 by the Smithsonian Magazine.
She developed a passion for books and writing working at the New York City Public Library. While raising eight children, she turned to writing in the early morning hours. Her writing career began when she won an essay writing contest about her experience taking in inner city kids with the Fresh Air Project in New York City. Through the 1960s and 1970s, she contributed numerous essays and poems to the leading Catholic publications of the time. Her award winning books include her collaborations with Maine illustrator Mary Beth Owens, such as The Gazebo, Penny for a Hundred and Rosebud and Red Flannel. She also collaborated with award winning illustrator Barry Moser on Blessing of the Beasts and The Mushroom Man.
Her contributions to children's literature were recognized by the Maine Library Association with the 2008 Katahdin Award for Lifetime Achievement and the 1991 Lupine Award for outstanding childrens literature. Her classic, Penny for a Hundred, was designated a notable book of 1996 by the Smithsonian Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 23, 2019
This WWII related book with a tie in to Maine was excellent. It is a story about German POWs who were sent to northern Maine to help with the potato harvest. A young girl who ends up working with the POWs is apprehensive because she has only seen the Germans depicted as killer monsters. She ends up becoming friends with one of the prisoners, sharing a unique Christmas that they'll never forget. This book would be appropriate for grades 3-5. I think doing some more research on POW camps in Maine utilizing the Maine Memory Network as a resource would be beneficial. Students could find more information about POW camps that were in Maine during the war and possibly map them. This book may also have some science application as there are many portions included in the story about the cycle of the potato harvest. As a Mainer, we know how important potatoes are to the local economy.
December 10, 2018
1.Appropriate level: 3-8 Greade
2. Summary: This children's book author Ethel Pockocki's writes a timeless tale of culture time in rural Maine during the Second World War. It 1944 a nine-year-old Clare helps with the potato harvest. She earns a penny for every hundred bugs she picks off the potato plants.
3. Review: This book is great. It gives a glimpse of a life of a girl who lived during the second wold war two. The ways that she made friends with her enemy.
4.In class use: It discusses the important time in the history. It informs who America was fighting against. It teaches a lesson of compassion.
2. Summary: This children's book author Ethel Pockocki's writes a timeless tale of culture time in rural Maine during the Second World War. It 1944 a nine-year-old Clare helps with the potato harvest. She earns a penny for every hundred bugs she picks off the potato plants.
3. Review: This book is great. It gives a glimpse of a life of a girl who lived during the second wold war two. The ways that she made friends with her enemy.
4.In class use: It discusses the important time in the history. It informs who America was fighting against. It teaches a lesson of compassion.
March 12, 2018
"we're human beings on this side of the ocean too." love it!
December 25, 2024
I love this story set in Maine during WWII when the German POWs came to America to help work on farms.
March 8, 2017
Amazing. The story teller was crisp and engaging, while not stepping outside the range of a young girl's character. Rich and vivid illustrations complemented the stunning artistry of the author. This is one that must go on my wish list.
June 13, 2012
Since our upcoming Route 1 trip takes place in Northern Maine we were looking forward to reading this book as a family. We were hoping to gain some insights into what life was like on the large potato farms. However, we also ended up learning about the use of German POWs from World War II as field hands. Five of Hearts especailly liked the story of the friendship that was formed between Clare and one of the POWs. This book not only provided details about potato farming but it also shed light on the soldiers caught up in the war and taken far away from their families.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews