Paul Fleischman grew up in Santa Monica, California in a house with a printing press, a grand piano, a shortwave radio, and his father-children's author Sid Fleischman. Playing recorder in early music consorts led to his books of verbal duets - I Am Phoenix, Joyful Noise (winner of the 1989 Newbery Medal), and Big Talk. His novels built from monologues include Bull Run, a 16-character account of the Civil War's first battle, and Seedfolks, the chronicle of the first year of a Cleveland community garden. His interest in theater inspired his young adult novels Mind's Eye, Seek, and Breakout, all of which revolve around the spoken word. His historical fiction includes Saturnalia and The Borning Room. He's written nonfiction and picture books as well, including Time Train, Weslandia, and Sidewalk Circus.
Alongside the Newbery Medal, he's won a Newbery Honor Book, the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, the PEN West Literary Award, the California Young Reader Medal, and most recently was a finalist for the 2003 National Book Award. He makes his home in the village of Aromas, California,
Reproduced with permission from HarperCollins
1. How does the garden itself become a metaphor for what happens among its members?
2. Kim starts the garden without even realizing it. How does she do this? What are her reasons for planting lima bean seeds?
3. What does Ana assume about Kim when she sees her burying her seeds? How does she feel when she realizes her error?
4. On page 13 Gonzalo says, "The older you are, the younger you get when you move to the United States." What does he mean by this?
5. How does Leona affect the course of the narrative? How does she use the garbage from the lot to her advantage?
6. List some of the problems that the gardeners encounter. How do they help one another deal with these obstacles?
7. Describe Sae Young's traumatic experiences in America. How does the garden help her overcome them?
8. Curtis tries to change his ways as he woos Lateesha with the tomatoes. What is he trying to show Lateesha about his values and principles?
9. In the course of the novel, a homeless young man named Royce comes to live in the garden. Describe how the gardeners' attitudes toward Royce change. How do they help Royce, and how does he help them in return?
10. Why does Penny think working in the garden will be good for Maricela? How does it get Maricela to think differently?
11. What does Sam observe about how the garden is set up? How does he feel about this?
12. Sam likes to spend his time "sewing up the rips in the neighborhood." What are some of the ways he does this in the garden? What are some of the things he does that many other people never bothered doing? Why do you think this approach helps him get through to people?
13. On page 59 Amir says that "the garden's greatest benefit, I feel, was not relief to the eyes, but to make the eyes see our neighbors." What does he mean? Give some examples.
14. What does Florence mean by the word "seedfolks"? Why do you think the author chose this as the title for the book?
15. What are some of the stereotypes Amir has about Polish people, and how does his attitude change when he meets one? What does this demonstrate about passing judgment?
16. What are some of the ways in which the characters work around language barriers to communicate?
Reproduced with permission from HarperCollins