GENRE: Fiction - Multicultural themes
HONORS:ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
School Library Journal Best Book
New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age (amongst many others)
REVIEW: Seedfolks is a slim novel that encompasses the personalities and diversity of a poor, urban neighborhood. The story focuses on an abandoned lot that expanded into a lively, vegetable bearing garden that started by one small act, which was the planting of lima beans by a young girl. Other neighbors didn't think her plant would grow, but when they watched from a far the care that she put into the plant, others began to join in. The story speaks about community and the tolerance that occurs when there is a common ground where differences can be understood. Fleischman uses short profiles of different demographics that dive into each individual's background and experiences with the garden. The story is symbolic and reflective of the differences in urban communities today.
OPINION: The profiles seemed to be difficult at times to grasp because of the overbearing of cultural characteristics, which may make a reader wonder of Fleischman has taken these profiles from real people or if they are over exaggerated prejudices. The themes are nonetheless promote multiculturalism and community, which is a value that young people can pick up quickly through this book and something that they will remember.
IDEAS: A book to promote multi-culturalism; library gardening program perhaps.
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