Harlem Grown

Harlem Grown: How One Big Idea Transformed a Neighborhood

Written By Tony Hillary

Illustrated by Jessie Hartland 

Grades K-3

Summary

Harlem Grown is a beautifully illustrated children's book based on a true story that focuses on the historically and culturally notable Harlem in New York City. A bustling and lively urban community with a desolate lot piled with trash is cleaned up by Neveah, a student of PS. 175 school, other students, and the people of the neighborhood. They united and transformed this "haunted" lot into a community garden that engages children, families and people of the community. The garden provides fresh and local produce for the members of the community, grown by those same people. 

I chose this book because it is a real life example of Element 6 of SJE. It depicts a community coming together on one accord because of one man's idea to transform an empty lot into something useful for the community which allows for access to fresh produce, education on urban agriculture. This book can encourage young students to collectively be the voices of change within heir own communities. Students may feel as though they have no real ability to cause social change, but encouraging folx to come together within your community and doing something about an issue you feel passionate about is more than possible! This also gets students especially in urban communities thinking about locally grown and harvested foods and start a conversation on how they could implement agriculture in their own communities.

Classroom Activity

I would use this book in a lesson and prompt students to think about areas of their community where they would be able to create a community garden similar to the one shown in Harlem Grown. Empty lots with fertile soil are crowded with trash and are typically owned by the city. Clearing that space and utilizing it as a green space would be beneficial to the community. Students would draw what types of foods they would want to grow in a garden and accompany their drawings with a writing piece that urges their city officials to allow a space for them and other students to grow local produce and allow everyone in their community the opportunity to benefit from the garden. We can talk about the benefits of eating locally grown produce, learn about advocating for a cause of passion.  Students will also have the opportunity to plant seeds of their own, interact with their community, learn about urban agriculture, and incorporate different content areas like science and math.

Classroom Resources

Buy Harlem Grown Here