Johnny Coalboy

JOHNNY COALBOY is a combination of fact and fiction intended for middle readers.It was not uncommon in the early 1900's for children 10 and older to be put to work in the coal mines. Many families could not survive without the extra wages that could be brought in by these children.Johnny had other dreams but he knew that he would be in the mines when he was twelve. Only his best friend, Sadie, knew how much Johnny wished he could stay in school. One of the kids in his class teased him relentlessly and gave him the nickname of Johnny Coalboy.The long dreary days in the mines became tolerable when a canary became Johnny's companion. Trapped in a cave-in, "Goldie" also became his life-line.Witschen, Kay is the author of 'Johnny Coalboy', published 2003 under ISBN 9780974135205 and ISBN 0974135208.