Welcome to Silver Street Farm

February 1, 2012

Gr 2-3-As preschoolers, three children decided that they wanted to have a farm in the middle of their city. They get to make that dream a reality on their last day of elementary school. By chance, they end up with sheep and ducks of their very own with no place to keep them-except for an abandoned lot. Now if only they can convince city officials to let them have the lot for their farm instead of building another parking garage, everything should work out fine. Animal lovers will enjoy the sections that involve the sheep and ducks, but the story line in this early chapter book is completely far-fetched, the animals don't have a strong enough presence, and the characters are not well developed. When the bad guy is defeated, it comes about in an anticlimactic way, making the ending feel rushed. The occasional black-and-white drawings are amusing.-Elizabeth Swistock, Orange County Public Library, VA

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2012
Three kids, many years of planning and an audacious go at public activism add up to one community farm. Though Gemma, Meera and Karl can't quite remember when their dream of having a farm of their own began, it seems to have started in kindergarten. When Mrs. Monty led them to the toy corner, they instantly built a farm, complete with plastic cows, chickens and a headless sheep. Playing farm helped build their friendship, kick-started by these city kids' love of animals and fueled by books about farming and farm life. When Meera's Auntie Priya hears about an old, unused railroad station with outbuildings and land, they decide it's perfect for an urban farm. Moving forward at the speed of elementary students with an obsession, these future farmers visit the space, arrange television interviews and bring local adults on board, all the while facing down the property owner, who plans to raze the railroad station to put up a parking lot. Funny situations, especially Karl's aunt's online purchase of twin poodles that turn out to be sheep, and such details as various animal footprints racing across the bottom of most pages keep this good-hearted tale moving forward. A tidy ending ensures the farm's success. Young activists will be inspired and entertained by these three animal-loving friends and their supportive community. (Chapter book. 6-9)

(COPYRIGHT (2012) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

January 1, 2012
Grades 3-5 Gemma, Meera, and Karl have been friends since kindergarten, when their dream of having a farm in the city was first born amidst Legos and wooden blocks. Now in fifth grade, Karl is secretly thrilled when his Russian aunt is tricked into buying two lambs disguised as poodles, but keeping lambs who defy housebreaking in an apartment is not an option. Gemma's volunteer hours at the vet's office get her five duck eggs that hatch in her bedroom. Meera comes up with a solution to the animal situation and the start of their dream: the abandoned train station is overgrown and has everything they need for a farm in the city, if only the city council won't level it to make room for a parking garage. With kids actively seeking to better their city as a focal point, Davies has begun an amusing romp of a series. Clever children and supportive adults come together in this clever chapter book that will spark the imaginations of the target audience.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)