When Joseph and Devon find money in the schoolyard the two friends have different thoughts about what they should do. Joseph thinks they should keep it, but Devon thinks they should try to find out who lost it. When he sees their classmate Lin looking upset and looking for the same amount of money they found, he is sure that “finders keepers” isn’t the best rule to follow. But convincing Joseph to do the right thing isn’t going to be easy. How can Devon keep his friend and see that Lin gets her money back? It takes some courage and resourcefulness, but in the end, Devon proves to be a good friend to both Joseph and Lin. And, even though it was hard, making the right choice makes everyone—especially Joseph—happy.
Toronto illustrator Qin Leng presents a diverse cast of characters in publishing veteran Kathryn Cole's latest addition to the I'm a Great Little Kid series... The lessons are clear, but Cole delivers them with style, subtlety, and a dash of humour.
– Quill & Quire
With the school year just beginning, there will be anxieties and conflicts aplenty on campuses everywhere. The problem of personal property and money gone missing is ever-present. Fifteen Dollars and Thirty-five Cents gets down to the bone of this reality, depicting eventual choices that will help young readers navigate their own right-from-wrong situations. Life lessons aside, the book’s adorable art—innocent kids in a multicultural classroom drawn with beautifully scratchy, sweeping lines and eye-pleasing hues—and juicy drama will keep youngsters transfixed.
– Cherub Reviews
A multi-national cast of kids explore the meaning of the Golden Rule, when Joseph and Devon find money in the schoolyard.... Helpful suggestions for exploring the lessons in "Fifteen Dollars and Thirty-Five Cents" are included at the end of this delightfully illustrated story about doing the right thing.
– The Midwest Book Review
The story is simple but gets the point across about making the right choices, about friendship, honesty, and “doing the right thing”, without being too preachy. The cast of characters are diverse and the issues dealt with in the story are ones that kids can relate to.
– The Deakin Review of Children's Literature
Children face moral dilemmas in their lives and to tell or not to tell is a big one. Without being too didactic or prescriptive in its message delivery, the story solves the predicament with sensitivity and nuance... This book is an excellent starting point for discussion with students (Grades 1 to 3) involving character, especially as it pertains to honesty, integrity, respect for people and property, caring, and choosing wisely.
– Professionally Speaking
