HARLEM GROWN: HOW ONE BIG IDEA TRANSFORMED A NEIGHBORHOOD, by Tony Hillery and Jessie Hartland, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, Aug. 18, 2020, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 4-8)
Harlem Grown: How One Big Idea Transformed a Neighborhood, by Tony Hillery and Jessie Hartland, tells the story of how a man with an idea inspired an entire movement.
Once
In a big city called New York
In a bustling neighborhood
There was an empty lot.
Nevaeh called it the haunted garden.
In 2010, Tony Hillery began to volunteer at PS 175 in Harlem. The school was underfunded and smack in the middle of a food desert. Tony noticed a vacant lot across from the school and thought by turning it into a functional farm, he could give the kids a place to spend their pent-up energy while teaching them about nutrition and sustainability. He called the farm Harlem Grown.
Now, the kids and their parents, with the support of farm staff, grow thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables a year. All of it is given to the kids and their families.
Harlem Grown is the story of that first year — the ups and downs and the joy only a garden can bring. It is told in simple, conversational text that is easy to read and understand. Accompanying illustrations are vibrant and full of movement.
Harlem Grown is an independent, nonprofit organization. The author’s share of the proceeds from the sale of this book go directly to the organization.
