Introduction and Summary
Henry Hikes to Fitchburg written by D.B. Johnson, is a short story about two friends trying to get to Fitchburg. Henry (modeled after Henry David Thoreau) decides to walk while his friend works odd jobs to earn money for a train ticket. The two have very different days based on that decision, but nonetheless they meet in Fitchburg by the end of the story.
Curriculum Connections
This book can teach children about how people can work to earn money in order to purchase goods and services. The theme of the story is that it is often worth slowing down and enjoying nature, and that money cannot buy everything. Still, the half of the story that focuses on Henry’s friend earning money is a good way to connect to learning about earning and saving money (VA SOL 1.9).
Additional Sources:
- Children can play this Mad Money game to practice saving up for expensive items.
- Your students can learn about different approaches to investing money with Kidsinvest.
- If you have students who really take to this book and the other connections and do well with the material, you can also present the Everything Kids series book From Saving to Spending to Investing – Learn All About Money!
Book: Henry Hikes to Fitchburg
Author: D.B. Johnson
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: 2000
Pages: 32 pages
Grade Range: Recommended K-2
ISBN: 978-0395968673