Third grader Donavan Allen collects words like other kids collect trading cards. When his word jar becomes filled to the brim with the slips of paper on which the words he's collected and memorized are written, Donavan has a problem. What should he do with all of them? Donavan's search for the perfect solution is at the center of this story featuring his loving, supportive African-American family. A perfect read-aloud! (Ages 7-10)

Donavan is fascinated by words. They seem to leap out at him from books, signs, even the back of cereal boxes. He savors each word as he learns to say it and discovers its meaning. He keeps the words he collects on slips of paper in a big glass jar. But one day the jar is almost full and Donavan has a dilemma. How can he make room for new words without giving up all the terrific words already in his jar? A visit to his grandmother provides the unexpected solution in this heartwarming story about how important words can be.