Agriculture-Related Books
Crops — Pecans
The Missing Pecan
AuthorHouse, 2004
Grades PreK-2
Two young squirrels race each other to see who can find the most pecans and make it back home first with them. Unable to carry all of them, one of the squirrels hides one of his nuts and plans to come back later. Good intro to trees and their growth process.
Hard to Crack: Nut Trees
Lerner, 2001
Grades 5-7
Following an introduction that offers general botanical information, Hughes tells the history and provides agricultural and botanical information for each plant subject in this series. Chapters are illustrated with clear color and black-and-white photographs, reproductions, and drawings. Various cooking methods around the world are discussed.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
Henry Holt, 2009
Grades 5-8
Growing up with six brothers on a Texas cotton and pecan farm in 1899, 12-year-old Callie prefers to spend her time exploring the river, observing animals and keeping notes on what she sees. Her love of nature creates a bond with her grandfather. After they discover a previously unknown species of vetch, he attempts to have it officially recognized. Through this experience she decides she wants to be a scientist, although societal expectations make this dream seem impossible. Interwoven with the scientific theme are threads of daily life in a large family growing up on a farm.
The Call of the Christmas Pecan Tree
Dorrance, 2008.
In a small town by the seashore stands a lonely-hearted pecan tree. Though the tree has long received love and attention from the people of the town, it is scheduled for removal, and town is thrown into turmoil.
That's Not Fair!/No Es Justo!: Emma Tenayuca's Struggle for Justice/La lucha de Emma Tenayuca por la justicia
Wings, 2008
Grades 2-6
Picture book biography in English and Spanish relates the struggle of Mexican American farmworkers in the early 20th Century through the perspective of Emma Tenayuca, who became a labor activist. Growing up in San Antonio in the early 20th Century, Tenayuca was shocked by the inequality around her, comparing her comfortable home with the extreme poverty of factory and farmworkers. She spoke in public about the plight of the pecan shellers in the factories and led 12,000 workers in a strike that forced factory owners to raise wages. Includes a chapter on child labor.