Multicultural Novel: Seedfolks

Title: Seedfolks
Author: Paul Fleischman
Publication: 1997

I really enjoyed this book because my family is a family of immigrants, so I resonate with the stories presented in the book. Especially even moving to a new town to attend school, you kind of have to start all over and it's difficult. People say it's easy but it's not. However, friends, a community and having other people in your same position helps.

Fleischman uses his anecdotes to present stories of immigrants or diverse races for a multicultural outlook. These help a reader empathize with these type of people. Students are able to better understand human nature and what being from a different place and having to relocate would feel like.

I really liked Sae Young's story. She was depressed, scared and sad, but through gardening she finally felt whole again - like she was part of something bigger than herself. In the beginning of her anecdote she says, "When I wake up, I no more like to be with people, like before. Afraid of everyone, all the time" (Fleischman, 46). But then, by the end of her story, after she has started gardening and helping out, she says, "That day I see man use my funnel. Then woman. Then many people. Feel very glad inside. Feel part of garden. Almost like family" (Fleischman, 50). Being part of the community garden gives her a sense of self, a sense of community and a sense of belonging. Something all of us as humans want to feel.

I would use this in my classroom, specifically in the older grades because some of the topics are tough to digest and maybe even hard to understand. For example, the book uses a lot of slang and different characters from diverse backgrounds. If students haven't yet learned world history they may be confused where the characters come from, why they talk a certain way, etc. In order to fully comprehend the book, I think one must also have a vast understanding of society. To understand society, one must live in it for a long enough time. I believe fifth or sixth grade would be a perfect time to present this book in the classroom. By doing so, a students' perspective and world view will be widened and broaden for the better.

In order to properly teach this book, I would delve into each character so that the students will understand the meaning behind the stories. For example, we would dissect the story of Gonzalo and his Guatemalan uncle, and why farming was so important in their culture. Next, life in Vietnam, Haiti, Korea, or Poland and why farming and growing their food was important to their lives. To apply this book to the classroom, I would give each student or group of students a character from the book. Then I would have them research something about that character like where they are from, their ancestors, history, etc. I believe by doing this students will learn more about their character's background, while also listening to other student's presentations to learn about the other characters, ethnicities and heritages.