Gardening and friendship have a long history of going together and Jenny Meyerhoff’s book, The Friendship Garden: Thumbs Up, adds another dimension to the relationship. Written for children in grades two to four, the book relates the story of a young girl who starts a garden club so she can enjoy the benefits of plants while making new friends. This is the first book in a four book series and introduces the main characters, sets the scene, and provides the background.
When Anna’s family moves to Chicago and she had to start third grade in a new school she misses her garden and friends. A school assignment throws her together with two classmates to write a persuasive speech and this leads the threesome to form a garden club, locate a suitable garden plot, and find an adult sponsor. By good luck they find an abandon plot in a community garden that resembles a plant junkyard more than a garden and they persuade classmates to join their club and the teacher to be sponsor. Anna finds contentment in her new garden, friendships, and role in her school.
This is a charming story with likable main characters that create something special. Portrayed in a realistic way, these characters have their flaws and their problems but come together to have a garden and even bring other classmates and the teacher into their experience. Full page black and white drawings help the reader visualize the characters and their frustrations and successes.
To buy The Friendship Garden: Green Thumbs Up from Amazon.com Click Here.
Karen Meyers