Canary in the Coal Mine by Madelyn Rosenberg

     "The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better."--Robert F. Kennedy

     The late United States Senator's words act as a beacon of hope for a tiny little bird in this captivating tale, which despite his size, manages to make huge changes that will greatly impact the lives of generations of mine workers for years to come.
     Young adult readers who are fans of E.B. White's Stuart Little and George Seldon's The Cricket in Times Square will enjoy The Canary in the Coal Mine, a journey back into time through the eyes of a tiny yellow canary named Bitty, to a small mining town in West Virginia called Coalbank Hollow in 1931.  During this time period set in the beginning years of the Great Depression, coal miners carried birds into the mines in order to detect the presence of deadly toxic gases (long before mechanical detection devices were invented). Sadly, the only way that these birds can notify the miners of the toxins is either by passing out, or dying.  This is dangerous work for a little bird, Bitty contemplates, as he lives in a large aviary in the bedroom of Jamie, a boy who rents out the canaries to the miners each day. 

 

     Soon, Bitty grows weary of his daily peralist twelve hour shifts, and he decides that something must be done in order to put a stop to this inhumane practice of keeping the miners safe.  He comes up with a plan to escape his cage, and finds the courage to fly off in the hopes to convince anyone to bring improvements to the mine. 
     Animal lovers like myself appreciated the fact that author Madelyn Rosenberg decided to weave her tale through the eyes of the animal's perspective, and young readers will appreciate the ability to be able to learn about how one small canary triumphed and matured from a courageous yet unworldly bird, to a strong, intelligent leader during the course of his admirable quest.

Canary in the Coal Mine
Written by Madelyn Rosenberg
Publisher:  Holiday House (2013)
Website: www.holidayhouse.com
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2600-3
Retails for $16.95 (Hardcover)
For ages 9 thru 12