In this slim novel, Fleischman presents a series of vignettes revolving around a vacant lot/community urban garden in a run down neighborhood in Cleveland—---different people, ages, ethnic groups, motivation, points of view. The connection between the people they represent seems tenuous at first, but like the garden that, once nourished, takes root and blooms, the bond grows and we are really sucked into the story, finding the connections as we continue along. As I said, the book is very slim; less than seventy pages, but Fleischman is a true poet and manages to speak volumes in a few well chosen words. And like every community garden it is filled with hope and promise and possibilities. Great for stimulating class discussions of community and racism and human nature, it would also work well in a unit on community empowerment with, for example, Karusa’s The Streets are Free , Disalvo-Ryan’s Granpa’s Corner Store or McGovern’s Lady in the Box. –for younger YAs, and children, 4th grade up
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