The Hard-Times Jar [Hardcover]

Ethel Footman Smothers (Author), John Holyfield (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A look at the life of migrant workers through a child’s eyes

Emma Turner loves books and dreams of one day having the store-bought kind, but the Turners are migrant workers and money is tight. That means “no extras,” so Emma must be content to make her own stories and books. Emma has a plan, though – she’s going to save all the money she earns picking apples and put it in Mama’s hard-times jar. Then there will surely be enough for extras. But when Mama tells Emma that this year she has to go to school instead of to work, it spoils everything. Now she will never own a store-bought book! But school turns out to have a wonderful surprise in store for Emma.

Based on Ethel Footman Smothers’s childhood, the story is brought to life with lush acrylic paintings, giving us a touching portrait of a book-hungry child.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-Based on the author's childhood, this inspirational story stands as a tribute to a strong family facing hard times. Emma and her family are migrant workers who follow the crops to make a living. Passionate about books, the girl longs for a store-bought volume, but knows that the few coins her mother saves in a jar are for no-money days. Arriving in Pennsylvania, Emma, her parents, and younger siblings pick apples together, but then Mama tells her that she is to attend school now that she is eight. Nervous because she is the only "chocolate-brown" child in the class, which could not have happened in her still-segregated Florida home, Emma soon discovers the riches of the school library. Desperate to read, she takes two volumes home for the weekend, against the rules. A kind teacher and a firm but understanding mother lead to a happy ending. Filled with descriptive language, the text flows smoothly and it clearly describes Emma's enthusiasm and fears. The richly textured browns, yellows, and greens of the paintings evoke a warm, orderly, and nonthreatening environment, reinforced by the mother's long arms reaching out and embracing her children.
Susan Pine, New York Public Library
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. When Emma's migrant family moves from Florida to Pennsylvania for apple picking, she finds herself the only "chocolate-brown" child in her new third-grade classroom. Her initial discomfort is mitigated by the kindness of her teacher and the pleasure of reading books in the classroom library. After Emma owns up to breaking a rule, she receives an unexpected reward. Longer than most picture-book texts, the story provides a convincing portrayal of Emma's firm grounding within a loving family as well as her powerful affinity for books and stories. In his first picture book, Holyfield contributes an excellent series of graceful, full-page illustrations. With strong composition and sensitive body language, the paintings will draw viewers right into Emma's world. An inviting picture book with read-aloud potential. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st edition (August 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374328528
• ISBN-13: 978-0374328528
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #502,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice book! (interesting topics), April 20, 2006

By 

Veronica A. Cueva "Veronica Cueva" (Iselin, NJ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Hard-Times Jar (Hardcover)

There may be episodes in our lives, where we experience some hard times. These may be due to family issues, school related problems, misunderstanding between friends, or financial problems as it is in Emma's situation. Emma is a seven year old girl who lives with her family. Emma wishes to own a real book from the store, but realizes that the money in the hard times jar that her mother has is to be used in difficult times. Despite the fact that Emma is not able to buy any books, she finds her way around and decides to write during her free time in order to create her own book.
Emma who enjoys picking apples with her family is suddenly told by her mother that she will soon attend school. Emma becomes nervous after learning about her mother's decision. Once in school Emma notices that she is the only chocolate brown student in Miss Miller's class. This surprised her because back home in Florida there was still segregation. All her worries suddenly vanish when she is introduced to her school library. Enthusiastic to have books available, Emma disobeys the class rules and takes books home for the weekend. After her mother finds out about the books, she talks to Emma about being dishonest and advises her to tell her teacher. Emma then finds courage and explains what happens to Miss. Miller.
This book conveys a message of honesty and perseverance, and reminds me of "A chair for my mother," by Vera Williams, where her characters support each other to reach a goal as they do in Emma's family. After reading this wonderful book that contains rich descriptive language with wonderful illustrations, I was able to transport myself into the Pennsylvania setting. The way Ethel Smothers pictures the crops allows the text to run smoothly. It also reminds me of the visits to my uncle's farms back in Ecuador, where the sun was always bright and the climate was so inspiring and calm. I was able to connect to Emma in the same way she did with her family. They were close to one another, looked out for each other, and encouraged each other to be honest no matter what the circumstances, as I am with my family. In addition, the facial expressions on the characters where also very interesting. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about being determined, honest, and supportive in order to reach a goal.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too many issues, too little time!, February 9, 2005

By 

Kimberly L. Fry - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hard-Times Jar (Hardcover)

Ethel F. Smothers' The Hard Times Jar is the story of Emma and her poor, migrant working family who do not have access to Emma's one true love: books. Although the theme resounds with readers and depicts the experiences of some children today, major issues such as discrimination and segregation, which are briefly mentioned when Emma enters an all white school, are not dealt with thoroughly. The author's use of descriptive language does, however, allow the reader to connect to Emma's longing for books and provides the reader with an opportunity to appreciate what is so easily taken for granted.

5.0 out of 5 stars Life's Hard at Times, September 9, 2005

By 

Beverly Isabell (Kansas) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Hard-Times Jar (Hardcover)

Learning life's lessons can be hard at times, but sometimes the hard times make us strong and patient.