Secret Gardeners: Growing a Community and Healing the Earth

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Pajama Press

Annotation: Detailed information about all aspects of gardening is packaged into a heartfelt story of community action in which three bright children, with the help of neighborhood volunteers, bring new life and hope to a forgotten garden.

Genre: [Realistic fiction]

Reviews: 1

Catalog Number: #393488

Format: Publisher's Hardcover

Publisher: Pajama Press

Edition Date: 2024 Release Date: 06/11/24

Pages: 49 pages

ISBN: 1-7727-8247-5

ISBN 13: 978-1-7727-8247-9

Dewey: E

Dimensions: 27 cm.

Subject Heading:
Community gardens. Juvenile fiction.
Gardening. Juvenile fiction.
Picture books for children.
Community gardens. Fiction.
Gardening. Fiction.
Picture books.

Language: English

Reviews:

School Library Journal Starred Review (Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

K-Gr 3— Replete with information on gardening and nature, this title will inform children and adults who are thinking of taking on a gardening project. Three children live in an apartment building and notice the apparently abandoned house next door. Working with several helpful adults, they create a marvelous garden using "no dig" techniques along with other gardening ideas that are fully explained. The explanations give this title thoughtful nonfiction underpinnings in modern gardening as well as beekeeping and other ecological topics. The text thoughtfully blends facts with the story and promotes a deeper connection with the natural world, whether readers are in an urban or rural setting—or somewhere in between. Illustrations provide information and engagement as the young people create a community and celebrate the power of growing things as a means to unite people. Back matter includes further information to help young gardeners and their adult supporters. VERDICT A solid introduction to gardening told through story and extremely well-presented facts. Highly recommended.— John Scott

Reviewing Agencies: - Find Other Reviewed Titles
School Library Journal Starred Review (Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Bibliography Index/Note: Includes bibliographical references.

Reading Level: 4.0

Interest Level: 1-4

Lexile: 760L

Guided Reading Level: P

Fountas & Pinnell: P

When three children stumble into an overgrown city yard, they end up elbows-deep in an urban gardening project that replenishes the earth and unites a community. With the mentorship of Amy, a neighbor who is well-versed in no-dig gardening, Luna, Bianca, and Billy set to work mixing manure, spreading mulch, and sowing seeds. After a few weeks of hard work, the yard is transformed into a sustainable community garden, and more and more people are showing up to grow herbs, mushrooms, vegetables, and fruit. Just when everyone is beginning to harvest their hard-earned local food, they learn that the property is going to be cleared for a parking lot. Will this be the end of their secret garden? Or can the children rally their community to save the day? In Secret Gardeners, journalist and beekeeper Lina Laurent collaborates with author and illustrator Maija Hurme to tell a story of community solidarity and ecological stewardship. Woven among the dreamlike illustrations are informative notes about soil life, composting, seed starting, beekeeping, wild pollinators, and more. An exquisite blend of fiction and nonfiction that will equip readers with all the information and inspiration they need to begin their own no-dig garden...and maybe even their own community project.

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