Customer Reviews

Small Change

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Small Change, by Floriana Hall, should be an inspiration to any young person from late elementary school age through college age. It teaches us that life can be felt to be worth living, even cheerfully, in spite of poverty, or obstacles. I myself, of a much older age, have found it inspiring. Many young persons today feel sad and underprivileged, even angry, if they cannot have the latest designer clothes or electronic toy, to keep up with their peers. The heroine in this true-to-life book works from very early age, within and outside the family, to better an unfortunate family situation, later being even able to contriubte to the family's financial resources. Even the father's irresponsible behavior does not demoralize this brave girl. All the way along she makes friends easily, can laugh readily and enjoy life in spite of real hunger and hardships. This book should make our young people appreciate what they have and should be an antidote to what we see as the discontentment in our youth today.
Elizabeth R. Graham

Goodness knows that memoirs have enjoyed their vogue. Seems like personal stories about growing up in the `20's, `30's, `40's, and `50's abound these days. But how many of them are written for middle school aged children? Not many, but Floriana Hall's SMALL CHANGE is one of them.

SMALL CHANGE tells Floriana's story about growing up during the Great Depression, all the way through her senior graduation in 1945. In this version of her life story, she recalls in great detail not having much food to eat during the Great Depression. She explains what life was like, using an outhouse for a bathroom, surviving illness without the help of a doctor, and even playing Kick the Can for fun.

To children of today, most of the things Floriana did when she was their age seems very foreign. To read about them in a textbook is one thing, but to read someone's personal story is quite another.

SMALL CHANGE is simply written and, with its large type and short chapters, should be easily read by children in the middle school age range. Floriana handles difficult subjects such as shyness around boys and her father's devious behavior very gently and without being sordid or "too adult" for the age range of her readers.

This book would make an excellent tool for report-writing, study guide, or even a read-aloud book for the class. SMALL CHANGE can certainly teach today's children a big lesson about diversity, resilience, and history.

WOW! You have got to read Small Change, a book by Floriana Hall. Small Change was a book during the "Depression Years". It was about Floriana's life. Gee, it must have been hard for her, but she kept her head held high and her voice strong. She never gave up hope. I learned to never take things for granted and EVERYONE should be thankful for what live with right now. I know life can be hard sometimes, but still. . . we are EXTREMELY lucky now. When Mrs. Odom, Floriana's daughter read this book allowed to us in class, we had nothing but oohh's and aaww's because we know it was a great book and we also know she had a hard life. No matter what, life will never be easy and it will never be hard.Just think of all the great things you have in life now! I know I am lucky! I know everyone in the owrld is. Maybe not everyone, but they're luckier than she was then. I learned a lesson and if you read the book you'll know what I am talking about! You have hands, so use to grab this book!

Small Change is a great book. When my teacher read us Small Change we had nothing but good things to say about the book and her life. It teaches us about the lessons of life and not to take anything for granted. In the book, she has a very positive attitude. It is hard to believe that with all of the bad things happening in her childhood, especially because it was the depression era, she kept her head held high, and always believed that things would turn out good. She is an excellent aothor and I would reccomend her books. I am looking forward to reading all of the rest of her books.

This book "Small Change" is a great book, and deserves 5 stars.
I learned a life lesson from this. Don't take things for granted and enjoy things we have in life now and think of how hard it was for Floriana Hall when she was our age. My teacher, her daughter, read this book to us,and everyone had something positive to say about it. I'm just an elementry student and absolutly loved this book-it was terrific. So I recommend this book to people of all ages.

Small Change is a great book. My teacher read the book to us in class, and I loved it! This book taught me that life isn't always easy. It is set in "Depression" Time. Floriana Hall is a fantastic author!This book definetly deserves 5 stars!It shows that our life is a whole lot easier today!You have to read this book!

Small Change, by Floriana Hall, should be an inspiration to any young person from late elementary school age through college age. It teaches us that life can be felt to be worth living, even cheerfully, in spite of poverty, or obstacles. I myself, of a much older age, have found it inspiring. Many young persons today feel sad and underprivileged, even angry, if they cannot have the latest designer clothes or electronic toy, to keep up with their peers. The heroine in this true-to-life book works from very early age, within and outside the family, to better an unfortunate family situation, later being even able to contribute to the family's financial resources. Even the father's irresponsible behavior does not demoralize this brave girl. All the way along she makes friends easily, can laugh readily and enjoy life in spite of real hunger and hardships. This book should make our young people appreciate what they have and should be an antidote to what we see as the discontentment in our youth today.
I have lived in both poor and affluent communities and have witnessed that happiness is a state of mind and not solely dependent upon the acquition of wealth and material goods. It is, of course, a truism that money cannot buy happiness. Mrs. Hall's story, Small Change, drives this truth home.

Take a journey through the Great Depression years with Floriana Hall. Her childhood was one of survival amid conditions of poverty and uncertainty. Breakfasts of lard smeared on bread and laced with sugar; dinners of potatoes covered with tomatoes; sponge baths in buckets and an outhouse for a bathroom give the reader glimpses of the hardships the author had to overcome. And overcome she did with excellent grades in school and working part time to support her brothers and mother. Her life is a triumph over poverty and hardships.

Small Change is a must-read book! It will teach kids of today to appreciate all they have. Floriana does a wonderful job of detailing how she lived during the depression years. This book would be perfect for book reports for grade school children. You won't be disappointed!

Small Change is a great book to teach children about the Great Depression. It reflects on how the author experienced her childhood with a smile on her face even though she had little to eat, changed schools constantly, and had a father who abandoned his family. This is good for book reports. It contains history, prices, and an exciting story. It should be in every school and library.