This Newbery honor book is an excellent beginning for the new year.

In The Hundred Penny Box, Michael's love for his great-great-aunt who lives with them leads him to intercede with his mother, who wants to toss out all her old things.

Activity
Have patrons start their own hundred penny box.

1. Have patrons make or select a special box for storing personal/family memories.
2. Make a story card for each penny. Write the date of the penny on the card and write as many one-sentence story starters as they can based on actual events in their lives during that year (e.g., I was a bunny in my first dance recital; My grandparents took me to Texas for a vacation, and I visited the Alamo; My family moved to Georgia, and I met my friend, Alex). Patrons may want to interview family members to get more ideas, especially for those years between birth and age five.
3. Have them share stories of their lives with others. Let someone draw a penny from a hundred penny box and say the date. Like great, great Aunt Dew, the person whose box held that penny will pick a story for that date (use the story card) and tell the story with details. Repeat with other patrons.