The Gardener

By: Sarah Stewart

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Age Range: 1st - 4th grade. This book reflects the need for for families felt by young kids, increase in attention span, and students are beginning to feel empathy for other people.

Plot: Lydia Grace must go live with her Uncle Jim in the city because her father cannot find a job and her mother is no longer making dresses. When she arrives, she is ecstatic to find out she is still able to garden even in the city. As time goes on she realizes her Uncle Jim doesn't smile very often and sets out to change that with her secret place. Near the end of the book, every window of her uncle's building has flowers and the bakery below is busier than ever. She reveals her secret place to her Uncle Jim as the rooftop of the building and there are flowers everywhere! The next day Uncle Jim presented her with a cake covered in beautiful flowers and new that she was finally able to head home.

Characters: Lydia Grace, Uncle Jim, Grandma, Ed and Emma Beech, Mama and Papa

Setting: 1935 in a city.

Theme: Even though Lydia Grace was away from her family for quite a while, she stayed positive and made the best out of her situation. Keeping a positive attitude can make a huge difference.

Illustrations: By David Small. Lots of bright colors and use of mixed media make for excellent pictures to help tell the story and grab attention.

Award: Caldecott Medal 1998