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Grow: A Novel in Verse


Bibliography:
Havill, J.(2008).Grow: A Novel in Verse. Atlanta: Peachtree.

Book Summary
When Berneetha decides to grow a vegetable garden on Mr. Conn’s vacant lot, twelve year old Kate joins her. Berneetha is a retired teacher and everything about her is big. In Kate’s words” Berneetha not fat. “She’s big. She’s round. There is a lot of her. Berneetha is not meant to fit in the same skinny space reserved for people who care about those things”. Kate and Berneetha head out together to the vacant lot and start preparing it for planting. First they have to get rid of all the trash. At first people in the neighborhood think the two are crazy. But as the garden starts to take shape people slowly join in to lend a hand. They are joined by Harlan the “graffiti gangster”, Dr. Citra Arockiasamy who contributes tomatoes plants, and various other community members. Soon the garden is ready and the vegetables have been planted. But when old Mr. Conn dies, his son claims the lot and with plans of putting up a packing garage. The garden is almost lost but Tony Donatello offers the gardeners an alternative lot next to the firehouse. Members of the community including Kate’s mother help transplant the vegetables to the new lot and the garden is saved and the same time, the community grow close together as they all work together for a common goal.

My Impression
This book is an easy fast read. The author uses a lot of characterization and imagery throughout the novel. Kate’s voice makes it easy to follow along as the story unfolds. Even though the novel is in verse, the author uses the short, concise sentences to communicate the emotions of the characters clearly. As the vacant lot undergoes a transformation under the ministrations of Berneetha so do Kate and the other members of the community. The characters are going through issues that are easy to identify with.  Kate is overweight and she doesn’t have a dad and Harlan comes from a dysfunctional family with an abusive dad. The whimsical illustrations add to the beauty of the story. Recommended for children ages 8-12.

Reviews
School Library Journal:
Gr 4–6— Crazy Berneetha believes that she can turn a garbage-strewn vacant lot into a garden and she exudes so much excitement that 12-year-old Kate joins her in her quest. Although the neighbors look askance at the project in the beginning, slowly they are drawn in—graffiti painter Harlan works the tiller, Dr. Arockiasamy from the clinic tends the tomatoes, grumpy Mr. Wasserman provides some manure, and the young Simpson brothers water the plants. As the garden grows, so do the friendships, but trouble lies ahead: the plot has been rezoned and will be turned into a parking garage. Although the neighbors join together, they are unsuccessful in their attempt to stop progress. Just when it looks like all is lost, firefighter Tony offers the empty lot next to the station and the whole community helps to transplant the flowers and vegetables. This short novel in verse is beautifully written with pleasing alliteration and flowing lines. Havill creates real characters with depth even though the text is minimal. Emotions ring true: readers feel Kate's anguish over the death of a cat as well as her exuberance when she realizes there's a solution to an overwhelming problem. The verse is filled with meaningful phrases ("…weeds can be anything, even beautiful flowers…") and is a joy to read. Whimsical line drawings add to the heartwarming story.—Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TX --Anne Knickerbocker (Reviewed May 1, 2008) (School Library Journal, vol 54, issue 5, p126) 

Use in a Library Setting

Use this book in a library display in conjunction with other novels in verse. Include poetry books in the display. Examples of books to include: “Where I live” by Eileen Spinell, “Hate that Cat” by Sharon Creech, "All the broken pieces: A Novel in Verse" by Ann Burg.

References/citations.
Book image from Barnes & Noble at: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Grow/Juanita-Havill/e/9781561455751/?itm=1&USRI=grow%3a+anovel+in+verse

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