Gold Dust

Reach for this book when you notice your child grappling with the 'keeping up with the Joneses' mentality or when they start prioritizing material possessions over their long-standing friendships. It is a powerful tool for discussing how sudden changes in fortune or the pursuit of wealth can distort a person's values and a community's harmony. Set in a small Brazilian town, the story follows Marcondes and Inez as their world is turned upside down by a gold rush. As the townspeople succumb to 'gold fever,' the children witness the erosion of trust and the rise of greed. This 1995 Carnegie Medal-shortlisted novel is appropriate for children aged 9 to 12, offering a sophisticated look at human nature and the complexities of social change. It serves as a brilliant conversation starter about what truly constitutes 'wealth' and the importance of remaining steadfast in one's principles when everyone else is losing theirs.