The Gold Coin

Translation of Alma Flor Ada's La Moneda de Oro. Set in Central America, it depicts a thief named Juan as he pursues an old woman who has a gold coin that he wants. As he pursues her, he keeps hearing about her kindness to others, and has to put in several days' work harvesting crops common to Central America, and his heart slowly changes. The illustrations are interesting, but also let the reader imagine many of the details. This would be a good book for analyzing the moral, re-telling, and characterization. I'm sure there is also a teacher's guide.

The Gold Coin has an excellent theme worth imparting to children. Being the richest person in the world is not based on the amount of money you have. Being a rich person is what is inside you and it is dependent on the kindness and generosity you show toward other people. I enjoyed Juan’s circular journey and the rhythm of the characters, their actions, and Juan’s reactions.

This book is about a thief that one night happened upon an old woman with a gold coin. He waits outside her house for her to leave and then ransacks it trying to find the coin. After realizing she must of taken it with her, he sets out to find her. He kept finding sick people that said she just left and they say she brought a gold coin for the sick person to have at each house. By the time he finds her he demands to know where the gold is. She is relieved she could find someone to take it because it was the same gold coin she offered to others but they all were thankful for what she did and could not take the coin. Having grown during his journey he realized he did not need it and gave it to a girl about to have a newborn sister.

This show more is a great message about people reforming, However, I hope kids dont start talking to thieves. That...would be bad show less

By wanting to steal an old woman's gold coin, the character finds himself following her around and winds up in a series of events. The illustrations are colored, accenting with bright rays or shadows to set the mood.

Great story!! The thief is given the opportunity to redeem himself.

Classroom Use: 1.) Author Study 2.) Character study 3.) Foltale Unit.

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