My Heart Will Not Sit Down

Kedi is a young girl in an African village who hears about the Great Depression from her American teacher. She is greatly upset about the fact that children are going hungry and makes it her mission to raise money to send to the people in New York.

I LOVE this book. When we in America think about the people in Africa, we think first about the starving children. Although children in America have only recently started to go hungry due to the economic collapse, Kedi does not care. She knows what it is like to be hungry and does not think to herself this may just be a temporary thing for people in America. She is empathetic and caring--a simply wonderful human being whom young children can admire and respect. We should instill in our young show more people the principles of compassion and charity, and this book is an easy tool for teaching these virtues. The colors in the illustrations are colorful and eye-catching, yet not distracting from the theme or written words, either. show less

What a beautiful story! "My Heart Will Not Sit Down" follows Kedi, a young African girl, while she tries to find a way to help the people in New York during The Great Depression. She learns about this from her teacher who is from there. She is passionate and dedicated to helping them. She asks everyone in town for money. At first, everyone says no since they are poor themselves. The next day, Kedi is surprised when everyone she asked comes to her school and donates coins. I adore this story and it's beautiful, colorful illustrations.. Kedi is a girl who lives in a country that is deprived themselves. Still, she wants to help others when she doesn't have much herself. This teaches a great lesson on how something so little can go a long show more way. I would love to share this story with my class in the future. show less

When Kedi hears about the Great Depression in America from her teacher, she immediately feels sympathy for him and his people in America. She feels that she must help them in some way because she can't imagine what it must be like to be starving. So Kedi asks her mother for some money to send back to the people in America. Sadly, her mother doesn't have enough money to give away, so Kedi starts asking everyone in the village. When she finishes, not a single person had any money to give. The next morning Kedi's mother stopped her on her way to school and gave her a coin to give to her teacher. Kedi was really nervous to give the teacher a coin because she didn't think it would be enough for everyone until... Everyone from the village, show more one by one, came to the school to contribute some money to America!

This book is set in Africa during the late 1920s and early 1930s when America was experiencing the Great Depression. I feel like the setting of this story illuminates the characters of the story because a young girl, who lives in poverty along with her neighbors, was trying her hardest to raise money to send to America, which illuminates her compassion along with her neighbors' compassion for donating money to America that they barely had for themselves.

I love this book because of the kindness and compassion that is found in the book. A village of poverty donated money, that they barely had themselves, to people in desperate need. What's even better about this story is that the little girl is who initiated the donation. Most of the time young people are too afraid to stand up for something they believe in because "one person can't make a difference." Well, Kedi definitely made a difference in this book and it's a story that must be told to young children everywhere. show less

In my opinion, this book was very poignant and sensitive. The part that made my heart sink was the author’s note in the back of the book. She explained the Great Depression in the 1930’s and the contribution during that time from the African country of Cameroon. We all know that Africa is always in a state of depression, however, this touching story expressed the concerns and worries of a young African girl who wanted to help her Teacher so badly. She wanted to donate what she could to the city of New York so the children would starve one less night. This story is based on a true event which makes it even harder for the reader to read without a tear or two. The sympathy and love from a country that is not doing so well themselves show more are willing to give what they have, even if it’s only $3.77. The plot of this story is true and well written. I was able to step into the shoes of Kedi (the young girl) and experience the feeling of “my heart not being able to sit down”. I was not at ease reading this story, but I felt like I needed to do something to make myself feel better. This story pushes the reader to think about a tough issue and broadens the perspective of young readers. The message behind this book is to give to the people in need. Sharing will go a long way and caring will take you even further. Sympathize for the people who are struggling and do anything you can to help. This book makes the reader appreciate the little things that they have. show less

A young girl named Kedi who lives in Cameroon, Africa learns of the Great Depression in America from her teacher who is from New York. Kedi is upset that people do not have food or money and that they are struggling. She asks everyone in the village for money to send to New York, but everyone declines because they are poor as well. Kedi’s mother gives her a little bit of money and soon the whole town donates the little money they can scrape together to send to New York.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was very interesting to see the Great Depression from a different perspective. I admire Kedi’s determination to help others even though her village does not have much to begin with. It really struck me that this book is show more based on a true story; it is truly heartwarming to see people around the world helping each other. I think this book would teach children compassion and love for other, which is an extremely important lesson. show less

Really Really Really good book! I did not understand the title at first but after reading the last page it all made sense. Kedi could not give up on those people because she is such a caring and loving person. This book is set during the time of the Great Depression in America but from the point of view of people in Africa. A little girl named Kedi finds out that many people do not have money in New York to eat and she wants to help. She knows many people in her own village do not have money, but she asks anyway. Soon everyone gives money to help the people in New York City. After reading the author's note, I was touched to read that this was inspired by a true story. To see people come together during times like this is amazing. I show more thought about the earthquake in Haiti and how so many people came together! Thank you for recommending this book! show less

Inspired by a true event, "My Heart Will Not Sit Down" takes place in the African country of Cameroon during the time of America's Great Depression. A young girl, Kedi, went to class where her teacher from America was discussing how his country is not doing well. He told them how people are unemployed and starving. After hearing the news, Kedi's heart was broken. Kedi and those in her village know the feeling of going days without food. Although they do not have enough money to even own a pair of shoes, Kedi and the people of her village gave the teacher their money for those in America. This story was very touching considering this was based off of a real life event. At the end of the book, it states that those in Cameroon raised $3.77 show more to feed the hungry in America. After donating as much as they could, those in Cameroon's hearts finally sat down. I love how the book discusses America's Great Depression, but does not take place where this time in history was happening. Instead, it took place in a country that goes through hard times everyday. The well detailed illustrations perfectly show the lifestyle and selflessness of those in Cameroon. This story tells the readers to always be kind and help those in need. The people of Cameroon are a true inspiration. I definitely recommend this book! show less