By the Roadside

"By the Roadside" by Katherine M. Yates is a heartwarming story for young readers that follows Marjorie, a young girl who goes of on a journey guided by a mysterious figure called the Dream to learn important life principles such as self-discovery and the importance of honest intentions. As she makes her way through her journey, she encounters different situations that help her think about why she does the things she does. From helping a girl with her belongings, to assisting a boy with his pet project, to donating her flowers to other people, Marjorie begins to understand the balance between wanting to be helpful and actually being helpful. The Dream helps her realize that if you work out of pure love and a kindness to serve others that is what truly counts, irrespective of how big or small the tasks are. Marjorie learns that small actions add up to one big change and contributes to what it truly means to be helpful toward others.