Seedfolks

Author: Paul Fleischman
Type or emotional/crisis issue addressed: Disrespect and Insensitivity for Individual and Group Differences
Year of Publication: 1997
Publisher and Location: Harper Trophy: New York
ISBN# 0-06-447207-8
Target Age Level: Upper Elementary/Junior High
# of Pages: 70
Quality of Illustrations: B/W illustration on first page of each chapter. Helps reader visualize the characters.
Brief Summary: Each chapter is a vignette of a different character who lives in a poor, Cincinnati neighborhood. A little girl starts a garden in an abandoned dump, and other characters join them. Through this garden, friendships also grow and barriers are overcome.
Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Children: This book is very easy to read, but some students may have difficulty with the number of characters. For those students, consider using a character map or selecting just a few vignettes to focus on. Can also be used to help heal in other situations, such as a death, or illness.
Activity: 1) Create a worksheet with a chart so the students can write down the character's name, the problem they are having, and how the garden helps them. 2) If possible, grow your own "garden" with the students.