Nancy Castaldo
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Ages 12 and up
Something as small as a seed can have a worldwide impact. Did you know there are top-secret seed vaults hidden throughout the world? And once a seed disappears, that’s it—it’s gone forever? With the growth of genetically modified foods, the use of many seeds is dwindling—of 80,000 edible plants, only about 150 are being cultivated. With a global cast of men and women, scientists and laypeople, and photographic documentation, Nancy Castaldo chronicles where our food comes from, and more importantly, where it is going as she digs deeper into the importance of seeds in our world. This empowering book also calls young adult readers to action with suggestions as to how they can preserve the variety of one of our most valuable food sources through simple everyday actions. Readers of Michael Pollen will enjoy the depth and fascinatingly intricate social economy of seeds.
MY REVIEW:
Drawing on impressive research and astounding details,
Castaldo chronicles the history of seeds and mankind’s efforts to preserve the
Earth’s agricultural biodiversity. This is a compilation of many
stories—stories of “seed warriors,” people throughout the world who have risked
so much to collect and to protect seeds, and stories of many unique varieties
of plants and foods. The text includes dozens of colorful pictures and
definitions for words relating to agriculture and seeds.
As compelling and complex as any novel, The Story of Seeds is one of the most important books for young
readers to be written in years. Every student, teacher, and parent ought to
read this book—and then follow the author’s call to action. A must-have
addition to every home and classroom library.
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