No Small Victory

by Connie Brummel Crook

It's the Hungry Thirties and Bonnie's family has been hit hard by the Depression. Relocating from their farm in Massasaga to Lang, Ontario, is supposed to give them a fresh start. But Lang soon presents its own set of challenges for Bonnie and her family as they learn to adapt to their new surroundings - and get by with less. For Bonnie, settling into her new school is an uphill battle. Still, in spite of an unsympathetic teacher and a few malicious schoolyard bullies, a series of small victories soon sets Bonnie onto a new path of success. After a devastating scarlet fever epidemic, a head-lice infestation, and a skating incident gone dangerously wrong, Bonnie's classmates soon realize that this spirited newcomer has more than enough gumption and courage to become an invaluable member of their community. On the home front, Bonnie's family must be resourceful if they are going to put food on the table. Their hopes rest on a precious clutch of chickens carefully hatched in their living room and then sheltered in an outdoor shed. Disaster strikes when the shed door blows open in a storm and their young chickens are trampled by a stampeding sow. At the urging of her new friends, Bonnie enters a regional spelling bee in the hopes that the cash prize will be enough to replace the lost poultry and save her family.

Genres: Canada

232 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2010

About the author

Connie Brummel Crook is a historian, former teacher and the author of more than a dozen historical books for children that often focus on the history of Upper Canada. Connie lives in Peterborough, Ontario.

Reviews

[Molly]

This was an enjoyable read. Depression era historical fiction set in Canada. It was sweet -- my main thing was I thought the character acted a little too young and naive -- she was 9 but her mother still had to tell her that kids could be mean to the new kid at school. The character acted more like a 6 year old. But I still liked it.

[Carterkempgmail.Com]

This piece of historical fiction seemed a little too much something meant to instruct rather than entertain. I picture it being given to little Canadian girls by a well-meaning aunt who figures it'll teach them something about their forebears.

[Sandra]

Diamond Willow Nominee 2012 - A really good story set in the Depression. Makes you thankful for what we have and that we didn't go to school back then.

[Lucy]

It was a great book! had to read it for an ISU but it was still pretty good! Different from what i would read on my own.

[Mariarosa]

This was an absolutely wonderful book.

[Barbara Gard]

wonderful story