The Summer My Father Was Ten
By Pat Brisson
One of the most touching stories available, this book takes a growing-up journey. The cross-generational story uses the vandalism of a neighborhood garden to explore the lessons learned by the author's father. The thoughtlessness of youth is met with real consequences in the life of the elderly gardener. Beautiful watercolors illustrate the tale of mending one's ways and changing one's life. If only a few books can be included in a library, this one is necessary for many reasons. Those who know the investment of time, hope, and love made by anyone growing a crop will make good use of this story to express that investment.