The Year of the Garden

Gr 2–5—In this satisfying prequel to The Year of the Book, Anna and her family have moved from an apartment to a house, meaning she will begin third grade at a new school. Before long, she meets Laura, also new to the neighborhood and eager to make new friends. The seeds of their tumultuous friendship are sown as they work together on a vegetable garden in Anna's backyard, inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden. Readers will greatly enjoy seeing familiar characters appear in this book. Anna's mother is still working to improve her English, and family friend Mrs. Shepherd (deceased at the beginning of The Year of the Book) gives Anna seeds, tools, and advice for working in the garden. From a class lesson on recycling to the rescue of an orphaned rabbit, themes of renewal and "the circle of life" are woven throughout. Barton's wispy illustrations, as always, echo Anna's sensitive nature and understanding of the world around her.