My Rows and Piles and Coins

Written by: Tololwa M. Mollel and E. B. Lewis

First line: After a good day at the market, my mother, Yeyo, gave me five who ten-cent coins.

Why you should read this book: In my experience, there are two kinds of kids: the kind who run out to buy candy, gum, collectible trading card, and plastic figurines whenever they get any money; and the kid who save every penny until they can afford video game consoles, electric guitars, or gifts for their loved ones. This book is about the latter, a little boy who meticulously saves his coins in pursuit of a brand new blue and red bicycle, which will enable him to help his mother bring their crops to market. Although Saruni saves a lot of coins, his purchase does not go according to plan, but somehow works out even better than he could have expected.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You want gum, candy, collectible trading cards, and plastic figurines, and you want them now.