As autumn is hitting New England one often thinks about the trees. Well, I guess the leaves. When Hazel was young, we would take nature walks around the neighborhood and collect leaves. We would do crafts with them, and I would try to teach her about the kinds of trees in the neighborhood. It is important for the next generation to understand the importance of nature and taking care of it. Today we are sharing a middle grade book about a girl and some large trees. It has some STEM in it as well as the normal life things--friends, family, etc. The book is Nora T and the Champion Tree by Mona Martin Batchelor and illustrations by Maggie Latimer. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
Publisher's Summary:
An empowering story about an eleven-year-old's love for trees and the stories they tell us.“Gran, how did that enormous tree get here?!”
“It grew, child.”
Nora T knew her grandmother was crazy about the trees here on the farm that had turned out to be state champions, the biggest trees of their kind in Tennessee. It really is exciting, if you think about it! Would Gran nominate the tulip poplar that stood before them?
“No, I won’t,” said Gran.
Nora T’s face fell. “Oh, Gran! You must! It’s huge and it’s beautiful, and it’s soooo very big! If you don’t nominate it, who will?!”
“You will, my precious girl. You will.” And she smiled.
Nora T Singleton is eleven years old and curious (in a good way) about everything under the sun. Luckily, her family (mostly) encourages her. So, that summer, when Nora T gets curious about the trees on her grandparents’ property, her Gran helps her to nominate a tree for the Tennessee Champion Tree program. During the process, Nora T learns a lot about trees, the environment, activism―and patience!
From Me:
Nora T is a lucky girl. She lives in the city (Nashville) and goes to see her grandparents and stay with them on their farm. Her grandmother teaches her about trees and nature. Together they enjoy the nature around the farm and go on day trips to learn and see more. This summer her grandmother has a special assignment for her. She wants Nora T to enter a large tulip poplar tree into the Tennessee Champion Tree program. The farm already has one champion tree. Nora T gets to see the group come and measure their tree before she goes home to Nashville. She spends the summer learning about big and old trees. She discovers there is a woman named Ruth trying to save another large, old tree near Nashville. She wants to help but her parents have plans when there is a protest. Nora T wants to have her own protest in Nashville. With some help she plans it and gets even more people to go to the protest the next day.
While she is dealing with these trees and learning about activism and protection of nature, she is also an eleven-year-old kid who is dealing with life. Her best friend announces her family is moving away. They have to deal with what it will be like to not have one another. Nora T is starting a new school without her best friend. She tries to share with her parents how important the tree is to her and wants to be at the protest. Even a bit of coming of age with meeting a new boy that becomes a friend.
This book is perfect to get kids interested in nature and activism. It shares a bit about trees and how we need to save the older ones and why it is important. It has some STEM as well as some illustrations throughout it. It is a great book to share with a classroom about to start a unit on trees or perhaps a unit on activism and how kids can become part of it. It is also just a fun book to read and learn about the trees as well as the Champion Tree Program. Many states have a program like Tennessee's and there is a national one. Nora T is a very polite young woman and there is definitely a Southern feel to the book. However, the story itself is also just fun. I also love how the cat is named Dolly Parton and mentions Dolly's Imagination Library program. With Dolly's passing recently it just felt like a fun mention even though I am sure it was written and edited before she passed.
