middle_name_joy 's review for:

The Gardener by Sarah Stewart
4.0

The Gardener is both historical fiction and a concept book for writing letters. Set during the Great Depression, young Lydia Grace writes home to her Mama, Papa, and Grandma from the city where she is staying with her Uncle Jim while her parents sort things out in the country. Lydia Grace helps out at her Uncle Jim's bakery, goes to school, and secretly gardens on the roof of the building. Her green thumb becomes well-known, but none more than those closest to her.

There are many good picture books that introduce letter writing. As I was reading this one, I realized that it is unique in that it prescribes a pattern and incorporates science. If the class was starting a unit on plants or were actually planting a garden, this would be a welcome introduction into keeping a journal of their activities. Perhaps they could even be writing to someone about the progress of their garden.