The Gold Coin (Paperback)

by Alma Flor Ada (Author), Neil Waldman (Illustrator), Bernice Randall (Translator) "Juan had been a thief for many years..." (more)
Key Phrases: Don Teodosio

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
An elderly woman, Dona Josefa, sits in her hut, holding a gold coin. "I must be the richest woman in the world," she says to herself. But unbeknownst to her, a thief, Juan, crouches at her window, watching and listening. When Dona Josefa leaves, Juan ransacks the hut but fails to find her treasure. Tracking the woman across the countryside, he misses her again and again--coming instead upon many people who have been helped by her. And when the thief finally does catch up with her, he is surprised to find that he, too, has been touched by her simple goodness. Set in South America, this beautifully designed book features an unusual, rewarding fable and Waldman's ( Nessa's Fish ) lovely, stylized watercolors. It's a rich collaboration, worthy of repeated readings. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-- Juan has been a thief for many years. He is pale and bent from creeping about at night, and that's what he's doing the night he peeks into Dona Josefa's hut. She is holding a gold coin and says that she must be the richest woman in the world. Then and there, Juan determines to steal that coin, and any others she may have. It is a decision that changes Juan's life forever. This gentle story of redemption, ably translated by Randall, is structurally at once cumulative and circular, and is ideally suited for memorization and telling. It will work well as a read-aloud, too. Waldman's clean, pale watercolors have an art nouveau feel, and are large enough to be seen at story times. Whether told, read to a group, or shared one-on-one, the tale of Juan's search for an old woman's treasure makes an important point in a concise and satisfying manner. --Ann Welton, Univ . Child De velopment School, Seattle
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum (March 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689717938
• ISBN-13: 978-0689717932
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #51,123 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #5 in	Books > Children's Books > Educational > Explore the World > Fiction > Central & South America
  #42 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Hispanic & Latino

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Moral, July 11, 2000

By	Christina Sachtleben "christina" (Charlotte, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Gold Coin (School & Library Binding)

The Gold Coin is the story of Juan, a thief of experience, and his journey to find an old woman who gives away gold coins. In his quest to find her to steal away her assumed riches, Juan is forced to experience the helpfulness of strangers, depend on their kindness and enjoy with them the feeling of an honest day's labor. By the end of his travels, he has been transformed by the goodness of the people he has met. When he finally comes face to face with the woman he had intended to rob, he is a different person. Instead of taking her gold, Juan offers to mend her roof. He learns that giving to others allows him to feel rich. The Gold Coin is a great story to read aloud. It is warm and inspiring.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gold Coin: a treasure to read., March 24, 2000

By	Masha Rudman (Amherst, Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gold Coin (Hardcover)

Alma Flor Ada is an author who writes both in Spanish and English. Her work focuses on action over description. Her communication of the values and qualities of the culture in which she immerses her readers makes her books notable. The Gold Coin tells of a man who is twisted in body and spirit until he is transformed by honest hard work, and caring decent people. The reader is introduced to an inspirational character, Dona Josefa. Although the thief doesn't meet her until the end of the story, it is her model of goodness that shines throughout the story. The illustrations admirably reflect the changes the thief undergoes as his body becomes straighter and his face less pale and angry. There are many surprises seeded throughout the story and the ending is wonderfully satisfying. Although this is an original tale, the writing has the flavor of a folktale and the culture and landscape of Central America are authentically portrayed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gold Coin, January 9, 2007

By	Cassandra Love "literature maniac" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an excellent book. I originally found this book in our reading basal. My students loved it! I decided to search for this book as an individual title, and when I found it, I was too excited. I used this book as a read aloud with my 3rd and 4th graders. When I finished and put the book down, my students couldn't wait to get their hands on it. I loved the illustrations as well as the reading skills that I can used to teach particular skills. Great Book!