A Bike Like Sergio's

Ruben is a kid from a family who-- as you learn throughout the story-- doesn't have much money. At one point in the book, Ruben observes as his mom makes a grocery list, then counts the money she has and has to cross items off the list. Just that piece alone is a little bit heartbreaking.Ruben's friends, including his best friend Sergio, have bikes and pedal laps around him as Ruben walks. His family can't afford a bike and he knows it. He doesn't complain or whine about it; his longing is palpable, but he realizes that his family is simply not in the financial position to get him a bike.Through a stroke of luck (whether it's good or bad depends on which side of the story you're on), Ruben sees a lady at a grocery store drop what he thinks is a $1 bill. He picks it up and when he looks up, the grocery patron is gone and he doesn't chase after her. Later, at home, he realizes that the bill isn't $1, but rather $100, and thus begins the internal battle for Ruben. Should he do the right thing and try and give the money back? But if he kept it, he could get the bike he's always wanted. But if he does that, he'd have to explain where he got the money for the bike.Ultimately, Ruben does the right thing, but the struggle to get there feels very true to life for a kid his age (maybe 8-10?). Even when he does do the right thing, he acknowledges that even though he feels good for giving the money back to its rightful owner, there's still an emptiness of losing the promise of something he had wanted for a long time.This is a great story for teaching integrity and how the right decision isn't necessarily the easiest one or the one that feels the best in the moment. This story started a dialog between my kids (6 and 4) and I about doing the right thing, honesty, wanting things you can't have right now, jealousy, empathy, and poverty-- all very important topics. I highly recommend this to all parents of kids 4-10.

I highly recommend this book. I have used it in my 1st grade classroom by leading with the question, "Do you believe in finders keepers"? This sparks great discussion. The story really gets kids thinking about doing the right thing. One of my new favorite books!

Great story about a boy who learns empathy and responsibility. May be a little on the moralistic side, which doesn't always appeal to children, but is very well written and most children can relate to wanting something that a friend has but not having the money to get it themselves. In this story the boy does not steal the money...at first. He finds it. Might be a good close read text for a younger audience. (k-1)

Great story. My first graders enjoyed it. Teaches a good lesson.

I thought the story would be too “young” for them, but my fourth grade students enjoyed it and came up with the lesson/moral themselves!

The wonderfully expressive characters in this story ARE childhood. The longing for a bike. The unbelievable good luck that poses a moral dilemma. "I am happy and mixed up, full and empty, with what's right and what's gone." Ruben is all of us. A delightful, worthwhile read with textural illustrations.

A story that shows empathy and what it means to do the right thing. My 1st grade students were spellbound when I read it to them. This is just as goof as Maribeth Boelts' previous book, Those Shoes, which I also recommend.

I bought this book for a 6th grade class to show the climax and resolution of the story in a quick easy way. Great book!

Read outloud to young students. Great lesson on honesty, integrity, and money doesn’t always equal happiness.

I love reading this book to my son! I bought it after attending Andrian Gear's workshop on Reading Power. Such a good story to teach your kids!

Great story for use with Reading Power books.