Fleischman, Paul. (1999). Seedfolks. Illustrator Judy Pedersen. New York: HarperCollins, 69 pp.

Grade Level: 6-9

Genre: contemporary fiction

Summary and Critique

Seedfolks is a carefully crafted, elegantly written novel about a community garden that springs up on a trash-laden, rat-infested vacant lot. Each of the thirteen chapters is devoted to a particular character and his/her situation. We learn about the changes in the garden as seen through their eyes. As the book progresses, each person weaves themselves into the garden's life-- making improvements, getting to know others, sharing their time. The volunteers interaction has a carry-over effect outside the garden; they begin to know other's names and become real people to one another.

At the end they have a "Harvest Celebration". They are celebrating more than a bunch of plants--they have become part of each other's lives. 

Fleischman, in sixty nine pages, created a tightly-written novel.  Even though it's a quick read, the story stays with you long after you have put the book down.  Fleischman creates amazingly realistic characters that speak to universal audiences and make his novel a delight to read.

Awards

Golden Kite Honor Book for Fiction

Best Book of 1997, School Library Journal

Publishers Weekly Best Book of 1997

100 Books for Reading and Sharing, NY Public Library

NCTE Notable Children's Book,

IRA/CBC Teacher's Choice Award

ALA Best Books for Young Adults

Recommended Books for Young Adult Readers

IRA Children's Choice for 1998

Themes/Topics

Friends and Enemies

Race, Ethnicity, and Culture

Challenges and Triumphs

Author Information

Writing has always been an important part of Paul Fleischman's life, as his father is Sid Fleischman, the b4teens_author. Paul, however, did not develop a love for writing until he was an adult. He spent his childhood riding his bicycle around Monterrey, California collecting treasures from the neighborhood trash cans, which later evolved into both literary and sculpture art.

For information about Paul Fleischman visit

http://www.charlottezolotow.com/paul_fleischman.htm For a short biography of Paul Fleischman (with pictures). He also talks about being edited by Charlotte Zolotow.

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmr/mtai/fleischman.html Eduplace includes Paul Fleischman in their list of authors and illustrators. There is a brief biography and a list of books written by the b4teens_author.

http://www.teenreads.com/authors/au-fleischman-paul.asp This website is designed for Teens and has a brief biography and transcripts of an interview with the b4teens_author.

http://www.harperchildrens.com/hch/author/features/fleischman.asp HarperCollins Publishers give information on Paul Fleischman.

Media Connections

Movies

Where the Heart Is (2000) A seventeen-year old pregnant girl is forced to fend for herself while living in a Wal-Mart after her boyfriend abandons her.

Do the Right Thing (1989) Spike Lee examines race relations, prejudice, and stereotypes in a Brooklyn neighborhood, all of which contribute to an unnecessary explosion of violence.

Online Resources

http://www.tolerance.org/ Ideas for teaching tolerance.

http://www.letsgetreal.org/english/index.html Preventing Teen Pregnancy. Activities to prevent teenage pregnancy include surveillance, behavioral research, and demonstration projects for the Center for Disease Prevention.

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/lawsregs/index.htm Current Immigration information—the official U.S. government website

Related Texts

Yep, Laurence. (1977). Child of the Owl. New York: Harper and Row. 217pp.
Twelve-year old Casey stays with her grandmother in Chinatown while her father is in the hospital. The grandmother, Paw-Paw, enlightens Casey about her Chinese heritage and her family.

Mohr, Nicholasa. (1986). El Bronx Remembered. New York, NY: HarperTrophy. 272pp. A series of vignettes about life in a Puerto Rican community in South Bronx.

Naidoo, B. (1997). No Turning Back: A Novel of South Africa. New York, NY: HarperTrophy. 208pp. An runaway boy must survive on the streets of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Fleischman, Paul. (1990). Saturnalia. New York, NY: HarperTrophy. 128pp. A Native American boy searches for his identity while working as a printer's apprentice in 1681 Boston.

Carlson, Lori. & Ventura, Cynthia. (1990). Where Angels Glide at Dawn: New Stories from Latin America. New York, NY: HarperTrophy. 114pp. Short stories about various aspects of life in Latin American countries.

Teaching Ideas

(1) "Multicultural Literature" The titles below were chosen based on being Americans of African, Asian, Hispanic, and Indian heritage with an equitable representation of women also. Additionally, they are considered to be"quality literature which gave voice to a multitude of experiences". Allow each student to choose one book without permitting discussion among friends (this allows for diverse and unusual groupings). The following rules were written on the chalkboard:

1) A maximum of five students can read the same book,

2) Collaborative groups will be formed based on the same titles,

3) Each group will meet to discuss, write journals, and them plan a creative way to share the book with the rest of the class, as well as present a visual interpretation, and

4) Each student will write either a book review or an evaluation. Each class period began with writing, then reading. A culminating activity with oral presentations rounded out this unit. Some examples are: Readers Theater, Mime, Mobiles, etc.

Display all 12 titles (Anaya, R. (1997). Bless Me, Ultima…Cisneros, S. (1986). House on Mango Street…Hurston, Z. (1965). Their Eyes Were Watching God…Kingston, M. (1989) Woman Warrior…Malcolm X (1965). The Autobiography of Malcolm X…Marthabane, M. (1986). Kaffir Boy…Momaday, N. (1989). House Made of Dawn…Morrison, T. (1978). Song of Solomon…Rodriguez, R. (1982). Hunger of Memory…Silko, L. (1978). Ceremony…Uchida, Y. (1982). Journey Home…and Welch, J. (1975). Winter in the Blood.

[Summarized/adapted from "Introducing Multi-Cultural Literature Through Collaborative Reading Groups" by Jean Toh in NotesPlus. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English. March 1992, pp. 12-13.]

(2) "How Do You View This Portrait" This activity is designed to help students practice in using language to illustrate differing points of view. The exercise begins by finding a portrait of interest—preferably someone the students don't know. Project that portrait onto the screen and ask the class to study the picture and jot down"three to four noticeable characteristics of the portrait's subject or surroundings" using the viewpoint of a neutral observer. Next, observe again only this time"think of the subject in a favorable light". Finally,"students are asked to describe the same characteristics, only this time in an unfavorable way". This exercise is not graded and results are orally shared with class. [Summarized/adapted from "Portraits and Points of View" by Lance Voss in Classroom Notes Plus. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English. October 1992, p. 3.]

(3) "Challenging Stereotypes" The goal is to challenge stereotypes. For example, learn about food and dance in context. Have students interview parents about the dishes they plan to prepare. Have them collect the stories and traditions behind the recipes. Post these cultural texts next to the dishes at the event or bind them into a classroom reader. Similarly, this can be done with the dances, dancers, and musicians. Also, classes can examine the "Roots of Hunger". See Finding Solutions to Hunger: A Hunger Program for Middle and Upper School Students (Kempf, 1997).

[Summarized/adapted from "Deepening the Meaning of Heritage Months" by Deborah J. Menkart in Notes Plus. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English. October 2000, pp. 9-12.]

(Review written by Sherry Steen and edited by Jennifer E. Moore)