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The Gardener by Sarah Stewart

The Gardener

By Sarah Stewart
Picture Books
Review:

This Caldecott Honor book features a determined young heroine, Lydia, who is sent to the city to live with her grumpy uncle during the Great Depression. Lydia brings a suitcase full of seeds, and step-by-step she brings a transformation to her uncle’s bakery and to the place where she lives. This is a wonderful story of hope.

(Reviewed by Jenny Phillips)

Region North America, United States
Period 20th Century, Early 1900s, the Great Depression
Genre Historical Fiction
The Good and the Beautiful Library No
  • E-Book
  • 4 Moral Value
  • 3 Educational Value
  • 4 Literary Value
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Entertainment Value

All books on our list are chosen to be engaging, but books that rank high in entertainment value may be more appealing to reluctant readers and/or those who are new to good and beautiful books.

Moral Value

All books on The Good and the Beautiful Book List are deemed appropriate and wholesome, but some books have more emphasis on moral principles than others. A lower rating for moral value does not mean the book is inappropriate; it only means that moral values are not as highly emphasized.

Educational Value

Although all books on this list have educational value in the sense of increasing vocabulary and other important skills, the educational value scale is based on how well the book helps the reader gain knowledge about historical time periods, cultures, geography, science, etc.

Literary Value

Books that score high in literary value include exceptional writing, use of literary devices, and a rich vocabulary. All books on The Good and the Beautiful Book List are well-written, but some have a higher literary value than others.

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