Pennies in a Jar — Dori Chaconas

When his father goes off to fight in World War II, a young boy promises to be brave. But it isn t always easy. Especially now that he and his mother are alone and the air is punctuated by bursts of loud noises from air raid siren tests.

Lots of things scare him, but especially the street horses: Josephine, who pulls the ragman s wagon and Nell, the milkman s nag, frighten the boy with their big teeth and wild eyes. Even Billy and Bucky, the garbage wagon horses whose feet are as big and heavy as buckets full of iron, make him nervous.

Then one day a stranger with a small pony and a camera comes down the street and gives the boy an opportunity to do something special for his father. But that means digging down deep inside and finding the courage.