Harlem Grown: How One Big Idea Transformed a Neighborhood

Description: "Once there was a lot full of trash. Now there is a lush, green farm. This is the story of Harlem Grown, a garden in New York City"--

Brief description: Jessie Hartland is the author and illustrator of many nonfiction titles for young readers, including Our Flag Was Still There, which was named a Bank Street Best Book of the Year. The New York Times praised her "joyful folk-art illustrations" in Harlem Grown, written by Tony Hillery. She has painted murals at a Japanese amusement park, designed Christmas windows for Bloomingdale's, and put her mark on ceramics, watches, and all sorts of other things. She has done drawings for many magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times, Travel and Leisure Family Club, Martha Stewart Kids, and Bon Appétit. She lives in New York City. Visit her at JessieHartland.com.

Review Quotes: Hillery, the founder of Harlem Grown, narrates how an urban farm grew from an abandoned lot across the street from Harlem's PS 175: "Nevaeh called it the haunted garden. It was cluttered with wrecked couches, old TVs, broken bottles, and empty cans." When "Mr. Tony" visits the school and sees "those kids and that haunted garden," he gets an idea. Working together, Mr. Tony and the kids clear the lot, bring in clean dirt, and plant. When plants wilt, he says, "We'll plant something different" and builds raised beds until, finally, "tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, blueberries, strawberries, collard greens, kale, basil, arugula" grow, and the children share their harvest with their families. Hartland's gouache illustrations wobble endearingly, colorfully capturing the children's triumph, and the kinetic energy and colorful vibrancy of the city neighborhood. An author's note about Harlem Grown and straightforward instructions for how to "start a garden anywhere" conclude. Ages 4-8. (May)--Publishers Weekly "February 3, 2020"