Description
Black Gold is the third book featuring Cyrus and Rudy’s adventures on the farm, following Not for Sale and Blackberry Juice.
Cyrus and Rudy spend the last days of summer selling dahlias, blackberries and tomatoes at their roadside stand. When a neighbor drops off a bin full of red wigglers, California earthworms that break down compost into fertilizer, Rudy and Cyrus become worm moguls as they discover just how in demand the Eisenia fetida are.
The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Contributor Notes
Sara Cassidy is a poet and journalist and the author of nine books for young readers, including Slick and Skylark. Her books have been selected for the Junior Library Guild, and she has been a finalist for the Kirkus Children’s Literature Prize, the Chocolate Lily Award and the Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize. Sara has taught at Camosun College and Royal Roads University. Black Gold is the third in a series about Cyrus and Rudy, following Not for Sale and Blackberry Juice.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 6 to 8
- Grade:
- 1 to 3
- Reading age:
- 6 to 8
Awards
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
Editorial Reviews
"A happy, light-hearted story."
— Resource Links
"This contemporary, fish-out-of-water tale is straightforward and engaging. The characters are fully developed and relatable…The pencil artwork is spare yet adds to the story. Educators will welcome this solid tale packed with facts about rural life…The language is easy and will appeal to reluctant readers. A strong addition to chapter book collections. This slender title is abundant in its depictions of fear, loss, and respect for nature. "
— School Library Journal (SLJ)
"Cassidy's writing style carefully captures the struggles and joys of her characters as they experience new things, make mistakes and face challenges. The illustrations that accompany the text add to the reading experience and will engage young readers."
— CM: Canadian Review of Materials
"Rudy has anxiety issues…This loving family, however, knows how to work together to help Rudy with his worries. Their calm and wise approach is just one of the winning aspects of this simple, down-to-earth (literally, with all the worms) early chapter book that's jam-packed with likable, well-realized characters and a compassionate but never didactic message. A worthy addition to collections for budding readers."
— Kirkus Reviews
