The Tallest Tree - Hardcover

Belton, Sandra

3.19

16 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060527498 ISBN 13: 9780060527495

Publisher: Greenwillow Books, 2008

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Living in his rundown neighborhood, it's hard for him to imagine the way it must have been during Mr. Odell's younger years when people like Count Basie and Duke Ellington strolled the streets, but with the help of his friend and the planting of some new trees, Little Catfish is determined to return his community back to its glory state of yesteryear.

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About the Author:

Sandra Belton is the author of the Ernestine & Amanda series, the novels Store-Bought Baby and McKendree, and several picture books, including From Miss Ida's Porch, Pictures for Miss Josie, and Beauty, Her Basket. Sandra Belton grew up in West Virginia and now lives in Chicago, Illinois.

From Booklist:

A realistic, hopeful story of finding one’s roots, this short, spare novel, which deals with the renewal of a run-down, inner-city neighborhood, is inspired by a community celebration of the heroes, especially Paul Robeson. The viewpoints alternate between Little Catfish, eight; his elderly mentor, Mr. O’Dell, who once stood with Robeson under what is the street’s only surviving tree; and tough, troubled teenage Lamar, who vandalizes O’Dell’s historic exhibit. More than the overextended image of the tree and the planting metaphor, what will grab readers is the portrait of Robeson, a towering “inspiring” figure, not only because of his achievements as scholar, sports star, and internationally acclaimed singer but also because of his brave fight for equal rights. Many readers will welcome the extensive back matter that includes books, recordings, and Web sites about Robeson and information about other community heroes—from Marian Anderson to Countee Cullen. Grades 3-5. --Hazel Rochman

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