A Penny for a Hundred is beloved childrens book author Ethel Pockockis timeless tale of culture shock in rural Maine during the Second World War. It is 1944 and nine-year-old Clare will finally be able to help with the potato harvestup until now, she was only able to earn the penny a hundred her father paid her to pick potato bugs off the plants. But this year, with so many local men off fighting the war, German POWs are brought in to help with the harvest. Clares not sure what to expect from the strangers, but it soon becomes clear that these men are not so different from young American soldiersthey are relieved to be out of the fighting, but sad to be so far from home.For Christmas, Clare is determined to recreate at least one familiar tradition for Peter, a POW who has befriended her. Their gifts for one another strengthen the bonds of their friendship and help both the POWs and Clares family enjoy a memorable Christmas Eve. Even amid the hardships of war, they find much to give each other.