LibGuides: Service in Schools Libguide: Food Access, Insecurity, Waste

Picture Books for Young Readers (ages 3-7)

One Little Lot by Diane C. Mullen; Oriol Vidal (Illustrator) In a bustling, urban neighborhood, count the ways one little lot becomes a beautiful community vegetable garden. Count all the ways (one to ten) an urban community unites to clean up an abandoned lot. From building planter boxes to pulling weeds to planting seeds, everyone works together to transform the lot into a bountiful vegetable garden. As the garden grows, strangers become friends, eventually sharing in a special feast with the harvest they grew.
ISBN: 1580898890
Publication Date: 2020-03-03
Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora In this remarkable author-illustrator debut that's perfect for fans of Last Stop on Market Street and Extra Yarn, a generous woman is rewarded by her community. Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu's delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent. And one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon the pot is empty. Has she been so generous that she has nothing left for herself? Debut author-illustrator Oge Mora brings to life a heartwarming story of sharing and community in colorful cut-paper designs as luscious as Omu's stew, with an extra serving of love. An author's note explains that "Omu" (pronounced AH-moo) means "queen" in the Igbo language of her parents, but growing up, she used it to mean "Grandma." This book was inspired by the strong female role models in Oge Mora's life.
ISBN: 0316431249
Publication Date: 2018-10-02
Maddi's Fridge by Lois Brandt; Vin Vogel (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9781936261383
Publication Date: 2014-09-01
Thank You, Garden by Liz Garton Scanlon; Simone Shin (Illustrator) From the author of the Caldecott Honor-winning picture book All the World comes an exuberant, lyrical celebration of the plants--and people--that grow and thrive in a busy community garden. A community garden unites children and neighbors in this celebration of all the things that grow there, from flowers and fruits to friendships. In the spirit of her Caldecott Honor-winning picture book All the World, this ode to friendship, community, and working together for a better world will have young readers gathering their friends young and old to plant something together.
ISBN: 1481403508
Publication Date: 2020-03-03
Enough to Go Around by Kristin Johnson; Hannah Wood (Illustrator) Kevin is upset when he finds out his friend doesn't get enough to eat at home. When he learns that many families are in need, he decides he wants to help by organizing a food drive at school! Find out more about how Kevin shows generosity to others as he makes sure there's enough to go around.
ISBN: 1541510674
Publication Date: 2018-01-01

Non-fiction for Young Readers and All Ages (ages 3 and up)

Harlem Grown by Tony Hillery; Jessie Hartland (Illustrator) "Hartland's joyful folk-art illustrations bop from the gray-toned jazzy vibrancy of a bustling city neighborhood to the colorful harvest of a lush urban farm." --The New York Times "An inspiring picture book for youngsters with meaningful ties to the environment, sustainability, and community engagement." --Booklist Discover the incredible true story of Harlem Grown, a lush garden in New York City that grew out of an abandoned lot and now feeds a neighborhood. Once In a big city called New York In a bustling neighborhood There was an empty lot. Nevaeh called it the haunted garden. Harlem Grown tells the inspiring true story of how one man made a big difference in a neighborhood. After seeing how restless they were and their lack of healthy food options, Tony Hillery invited students from an underfunded school to turn a vacant lot into a beautiful and functional farm. By getting their hands dirty, these kids turned an abandoned space into something beautiful and useful while learning about healthy, sustainable eating and collaboration. Five years later, the kids and their parents, with the support of the Harlem Grown staff, grow thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables a year. All of it is given to the kids and their families. The incredible story is vividly brought to life with Jessie Hartland's "charmingly busy art" (Booklist) that readers will pore over in search of new details as they revisit this poignant and uplifting tale over and over again. Harlem Grown is an independent, not-for-profit organization. The author's share of the proceeds from the sale of this book go directly to Harlem Grown.
ISBN: 1534402314
Publication Date: 2020-08-18
The Good Garden by Katie Smith Milway; Sylvie Daigneault (Illustrator) Eleven-year-old Maria Luz and her family live on a small farm. This year their crop is poor, and they may not have enough to eat or to sell for other essentials, such as health care, school uniforms and books. When Maria's father must leave home to find work, she is left in charge of their garden. Then a new teacher comes to Maria's school and introduces her to sustainable farming practices that yield good crops. As Maria begins to use the same methods at home, she too sees improvements, which allow her family to edge their way out of the grip of the greedy middlemen who make profits on the backs of poor farmers.
ISBN: 1525304062
Publication Date: 2020-04-07
My Food, Your Food, Our Food by Emma Carlson Berne; Sharon Sordo (Illustrator); Mark Oblinger (Other) We all like different food, but everybody needs to eat! How Are We Alike and Different? Find out in My Food, Your Food, Our Food.
ISBN: 1684102901
Publication Date: 2018-08-01
How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? by Lucia Gaggiotti (Illustrator); Chris Butterworth "Equally informative and appetite-whetting." -- The Horn Book One of the best parts of a young child's day is opening a lunchbox and diving in. But how did that delicious food get there? From planting wheat to mixing dough, climbing trees to machine-squeezing fruit, picking cocoa pods to stirring a vat of melted bliss, here is a clear, engaging look at the steps involved in producing some common foods. Health tips and a peek at basic food groups complete the menu. Back matter includes an index.
ISBN: 0763665037
Publication Date: 2013-02-12
Before We Eat by Pat Brisson; Mary Azarian Before we eat, many people work very hard--planting grain, catching fish, tending farm animals, and filling crates of vegetables. With vibrant illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Mary Azarian, this book reminds us what must happen before food gets to our tables to nourish our bodies and spirits.This expanded edition ofBefore We Eatincludes back-of-book features about school gardens and the national farm-to-school movement.Fountas & Pinnell Level L
ISBN: 0884486524
Publication Date: 2018-05-01
Composting by Jenny Fretland VanVoorst (Editor); Rebecca Pettiford
ISBN: 9781620312292
Publication Date: 2015-06-15

Fiction for Upper Elementary and Middle Grades (ages 8-13)

The Year of the Garden by Andrea Cheng; Patrice Barton (Illustrator) This prequel to THE YEAR OF THE BOOK follows perceptive, astute Anna as she strives to grow a perfect garden -- only to realize that the garden she grows with her new friend is more than good enough, weeds and all. A heartfelt and charming introduction to the Anna Wang series. When Anna is gifted a copy ofThe Secret Garden, it inspires her to follow her dreams--maybe she can plant ivy and purple crocuses and the birds will come. Or maybe what grows from her dream of a garden is even better: friendship. And friendship, like a garden, often has a mind of its own. In this prequel toThe Year of the Book, join Anna in a year of discovery, new beginnings, friendships, and growth.
ISBN: 1328900177
Publication Date: 2018-04-24
Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman; Judy Pedersen (Illustrator) ALA Best Book for Young Adults ∙ School Library Journal Best Book ∙ Publishers Weekly Best Book ∙ IRA/CBC Children's Choice ∙ NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts A Vietnamese girl plants six lima beans in a Cleveland vacant lot. Looking down on the immigrant-filled neighborhood, a Romanian woman watches suspiciously. A school janitor gets involved, then a Guatemalan family. Then muscle-bound Curtis, trying to win back Lateesha. Pregnant Maricela. Amir from India. A sense of community sprouts and spreads.  Newbery-winning author Paul Fleischman uses thirteen speakers to bring to life a community garden's founding and first year. The book's short length, diverse cast, and suitability for adults as well as children have led it to be used in countless one-book reads in schools and in cities across the country. Seedfolks has been drawn upon to teach tolerance, read in ESL classes, promoted by urban gardeners, and performed in schools and on stages from South Africa to Broadway. The book's many tributaries--from the author's immigrant grandfather to his adoption of two brothers from Mexico--are detailed in his forthcoming memoir, No Map, Great Trip: A Young Writer's Road to Page One. "The size of this slim volume belies the profound message of hope it contains."  --Christian Science Monitor And don't miss Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices, the Newbery Medal-winning poetry collection!
ISBN: 0064472078
Publication Date: 2004-12-14

Fiction for Young Adults (ages 14-17)

Hunger by Donna Jo Napoli "If ever there was a book primed to show American children why families from other countries are often desperate to reach our shores, this is it." --Booklist (starred review) "A timely reminder about conditions in our current world." --The Horn Book "A worthy introduction to an important slice of history." --Kirkus Reviews Through the eyes of twelve-year-old Lorraine this "moving personal story" (Booklist, starred review) from the award-winning author of Hidden and Hush gives insight and understanding into a little known part of history--the Irish potato famine. It is the autumn of 1846 in Ireland. Lorraine and her brother are waiting for the time to pick the potato crop on their family farm leased from an English landowner. But this year is different--the spuds are mushy and ruined. What will Lorraine and her family do? Then Lorraine meets Miss Susannah, the daughter of the wealthy English landowner who owns Lorraine's family's farm, and the girls form an unlikely friendship that they must keep a secret from everyone. Two different cultures come together in a deserted Irish meadow. And Lorraine has one question: how can she help her family survive? A little known part of history, the Irish potato famine altered history forever and caused a great immigration in the later part of the 1800s. Lorraine's story is a heartbreaking and ultimately redemptive story of one girl's strength and resolve to save herself and her family against all odds.
ISBN: 1481477501
Publication Date: 2019-06-11

Non-fiction for Middle Grades and Up (ages 11 and up)

Free Lunch by Rex Ogle Instead of giving him lunch money, Rex's mom has signed him up for free meals. As a poor kid in a wealthy school district, better-off kids crowd impatiently behind him as he tries to explain to the cashier that he's on the free meal program. The lunch lady is hard of hearing, so Rex has to shout.Free Lunch is the story of Rex's efforts to navigate his first semester of sixth grade--who to sit with, not being able to join the football team, Halloween in a handmade costume, classmates and a teacher who take one look at him and decide he's trouble--all while wearing secondhand clothes and being hungry. His mom and her boyfriend are out of work, and life at home is punctuated by outbursts of violence. Halfway through the semester, his family is evicted and ends up in government-subsidized housing in view of the school. Rex lingers at the end of last period every day until the buses have left, so no one will see where he lives.Unsparing and realistic, Free Lunch is a story of hardship threaded with hope and moments of grace. Rex's voice is compelling and authentic, and Free Lunch is a true, timely, and essential work that illuminates the lived experience of poverty in America.
ISBN: 132400360X
Publication Date: 2019-09-10
The Omnivore's Dilemma (Young Readers Edition) by Michael Pollan The New York Times bestseller that's changing America's diet is now perfect for younger readers"What's for dinner?" seemed like a simple question-until journalist and supermarket detective Michael Pollan delved behind the scenes. From fast food and big organic to small farms and old-fashioned hunting and gathering, this young readers' adaptation of Pollan's famous food-chain exploration encourages kids to consider the personal and global health implications of their food choices. In a smart, compelling format with updated facts, plenty of photos, graphs, and visuals, as well as a new afterword and backmatter, The Omnivore's Dilemma serves up a bold message to the generation that needs it most- It's time to take charge of our national eating habits-and it starts with you.
ISBN: 1101993839
Publication Date: 2015-08-04
Down to Earth by Nikki Tate Kids all over the world help collect seeds, weed gardens, milk goats and herd ducks. From a balcony garden with pots of lettuce to a farm with hundreds of cows, kids can pitch in to bring the best and freshest products to their families' tables--and to market. Loaded with accessible information about the many facets of farming, Down to Earthtakes a close look at everything from what an egg carton tells you to why genetic diversity matters--even to kids.
ISBN: 1459804236
Publication Date: 2013-05-01
Climate Change and Food Production by Jodie Mangor What we eat can help decide the future. Learn how our food sources are closely linked to climate change and what we can do to help limit its affects. This title supports NGSS for Earth and Human activity.
ISBN: 1641565764
Publication Date: 2018-07-01