A Place To Grow

Average Rating:
5
3 Reviews
Categories: .
Title A Place To Grow
Publication TypeBook
Year of Publication2002
AuthorsPak, Soyung
Secondary Authors(Illus.), Marcelino Truong
Number of Pages32
PublisherArthur A. Levine Books;
ISBN 978-0439130158
Abstract

Kindergarten-Grade 4-As in Dear Juno (Viking, 1999), the author presents themes of emotional endurance and strong family bonds. A Korean girl's father compares a family to a seed, explaining that they both need a safe place to grow. They have found such a home after her father's journey through places with "too many guns and not enough love," "dreams but not enough hope," and "too many workers and not enough work." The lyrical text is enhanced by the double-page, folk-art paintings. Effective use of line, color, and light emphasize the contrast between the urban settings the family has left and their new rural home. The desperate, emotionally barren areas are dominated by grays, browns, and sharp lines. Scenes of the girl and her father in their garden are filled with fluid lines and bright rich colors that "sprout like swelling balloons." The love between the father and daughter is obvious. Unfortunately, this book will have limited child appeal. Most youngsters will be confused by the metaphor and symbolism of the seed and garden; those who are mature enough to understand the literary device and appreciate the message may be put off by the art, which appears to be for a young audience. This special book will need adult introduction and explanation. (School Library Journal)

-Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
URLhttps://www.amazon.com/Place-Grow-Soyung-Pak/dp/0439130158

Supplemental Contributions

Average Rating:
5
3 Reviews

Reviews for A Place To Grow

5

Posted By: Jeneva Crum

Posted On: October 19, 2019

The story tells about a family's journey to get where they are now and how they grew along the way. it compares the family to seeds and how they grow. The father in the story works with his daughter in the garden. He tells her what seeds need to grow and flourish. He compares it to what the family needs to grow and flourish. He explains during the story that what is right for one is not always right for another and you must move whether it be close or far away for you to grow.

I would use this for a read aloud in lower grades or even an introductory book before planting in the green house. You could have the kids tell you what seeds need to grow and what they don’t need to grow. You could also use this book to talk about safety and then ask students what are safe places for them or for seeds? They could draw pictures to show what is safe and what is not.

Upper grades could use this book to discuss or introduce planting in the greenhouse. They could make a t-chart labeling what a seed needs to grow and what it doesn’t need to grow.

I read it to my students and then discussed it. I told them to tell if they heard any metaphors. They had to tell me the metaphor. After reading we discussed the meaning of the pictures and why they thought it went back and forth.

Upper grades could also use this book to discuss war and why you would flee.

6th grade could use the book with a lesson or unit on symbolism.

5

Posted By: Jeneva Crum

Posted On: October 19, 2019

The story tells about a family's journey to get where they are now and how they grew along the way. it compares the family to seeds and how they grow. The father in the story works with his daughter in the garden. He tells her what seeds need to grow and flourish. He compares it to what the family needs to grow and flourish. He explains during the story that what is right for one is not always right for another and you must move whether it be close or far away for you to grow.

I would use this for a read aloud in lower grades or even an introductory book before planting in the green house. You could have the kids tell you what seeds need to grow and what they don’t need to grow. You could also use this book to talk about safety and then ask students what are safe places for them or for seeds? They could draw pictures to show what is safe and what is not.

Upper grades could use this book to discuss or introduce planting in the greenhouse. They could make a t-chart labeling what a seed needs to grow and what it doesn’t need to grow.

I read it to my students and then discussed it. I told them to tell if they heard any metaphors. They had to tell me the metaphor. After reading we discussed the meaning of the pictures and why they thought it went back and forth.

Upper grades could also use this book to discuss war and why you would flee.

6th grade could use the book with a lesson or unit on symbolism.

5

Posted By: Hayley Tolley

Posted On: January 6, 2019

The book "A Place to Grow" by Soyung Pak is an endearing story that compares the trials and triumphs of a seed growing and producing fruit to that of a family immigrating to a new country and becoming successful. I find it important to note that the author and illustrator both came from families that immigrated to new countries as children. This story is extremely relevant in society today as immigration is a hot topic among Americans and I feel this story would shed a lot of light on the humanity side of immigration for those that only look at the political side of it.

This sweet story begins with the narrator speaking about the ground shimmering after winter. It points out that its now time for growing. This is a reference to new life. For them, its the start of their new life in their new country. The text of this story focuses on the father and daughter who are having a long conversation throughout the story about planting and growing seeds. All the while, many of the images show different scenes of the family leaving hardships of their country to immigrate to find a better life in a new country. Ultimately, this story inspires you to want everyone to experience a happy, fulfilled, and safe life.

I will finish with a quote from the story that greatly touched my heart and showed me that it is basic human instinct to want a better life for yourself and your family. That is something that we all can relate to.

"The sun doesn't shine where shadows fall.
And sometimes a seed falls in the gloomy shade.
It gets left in the dark with no sun to light the way.
That is what it is like when there are dreams and not enough hope.
A place like that is no place to grow a flower."

5

Posted By: Laura Lees

Posted On: December 2, 2018

This is a wonderful book for young children to relate to immigration. It explains the reasons why one would have to leave his/her home or homeland. The book also describes what a seed needs to survive and grow. The book says a family needs the same love, hope, and work to establish their own roots.