Knit Your Bit by Deborah Hopkinson

In World War I the soldiers needed knitted things to keep warm in the winter. 

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Resource: picture book, fiction

Time: 1917

Place: America

Summary:

Mikey's dad has gone to be a soldier in World War I.  Mikey wants to help.  His mother suggests knitting for the soldier who will be cold come winter, but Mikey stands by his conviction that boys do not knit.  Dared by the girls in his class Mikey and his two friends enter the Central Park Knitting Bee.  They learn how to knit then compete, with mixed results in the bee. Mikey knits one sock beautifully, but goofs on the second.  A wounded soldier with one leg gives him some encouragement and Mikey learns that you don't have to do big things to make a big difference.  After the competition, Mikey gives his one perfect sock to the soldier.  Mikey eventually makes a pair of socks for his father, who comes home for a happy ending.  There is a lovely historical note at the end of the book discussing the knitting effort of World War I and the continued effort of charitable knitting today.  There is also some really neat photos on the inside covers of the book.  The book is illustrated in full color by Steven Guarnaccia. 

Potentially Objectionable Content: 

none

Reading Level: grade K - 3

Lexile Measure: 460L

Guided Reading Level: not available

Format Links

Kindle

Book

Additional Resources:

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