Reviewed by Heidi Bee Roemer
Book Source: We would like to thank Sleeping Bear Press for providing a copy of this book for review.
Eleven-year-old Lily dreams of someday having a big garden of her own. One day she learns that her town is offering a lottery for land plots for Victory Gardens. Lily tries to apply, but is told that she’s underage. Undeterred, Lily summons her courage and asks her cranky neighbor, Mr. Bishop, if he’d be willing to let her plant a Victory Garden on a small portion of his land. Reluctantly, he agrees, cautioning Lily not to disturb his wife who is grief-stricken over the loss of their son, killed in action. Eagerly, Lily prepares the soil and plants seeds. As beets, beans, and carrots blossom, so does Lily’s friendship with Mrs. Bishop. Lily discovers that a garden is not just where vegetables and flowers thrive, but a place where a fragile human heart can be nurtured and find healing, too.
Old-fashion seed packets decorate the end pages while charming, full-page watercolor illustrations take readers back to America’s "yesteryear" through accurate depictions of 1940’s clothing fashions, car models, and building styles. This story set during WWII offers opportunities for discussion on topics such as community spirit, patriotism, civic duty, rationing, overcoming obstacles, loss of a loved one, and, of course, gardening and its therapeutic effect. The book’s final two pages, "World War II and the Home Front," contain information about wartime recycling, rationing, Victory Gardens, and more. Check out Sleeping Bear Press’ fabulous collection of classroom worksheets in this 26-Page Teachers’ Guide: http://www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/TeachersGuides/LilyGuide.pdf
This post is part of the Nonfiction Monday Round-Up hosted this week by 100 Scope Notes blog.
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