The Big Idea

West Side Kids

by Ellen Schecter

Young Luz has the perfect solution for her neighborhood's ugly lot--get rid of all the broken glass, old tires, and crushed cans and plant a garden just like her grandfather's back in Puerto Rico. Everyone likes the idea, but no one seems to have the time to pitch in, not even Luz's best friend, Rosie. Will Luz be forced to uproot her gardening dreams?

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1900

About the author

ELLEN SCHECTER has been published widely in print and on the web. Many of her books are for children, and her first novel, The Big Idea [Hyperion] won the Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature. She’s written and collaborated on multiple-award-winning TV for PBS, Disney, CBS, and the Discovery Channel. Not bad for someone who never grew up.

Excepts from her new memoir, Fierce Joy, have been published online on ducts.org, Lilith magazine, and the University of Virginia Medical Arts Journal.

Check out the great reviews of her latest book, FIERCE JOY, at faboverfify: best memoirs of the year so far [faboverfifty.com/bookblog/2012/04]; New York Review of Books: Laura Schultz, in the New York Journal of Books:
“Ellen Schecter creates a visual symphony with her extraordinary command of the unique language of the soul.”
In “Diagnosis Is Not Death,” a review in Tablet by Sarah Ivry: “Illness does not always rob us of our spirit …and Schecter…finds in Judaism a sense of nurturing that… she didn’t realize she craved….I not only want to make peace with my illness, I want to sanctify it."

Reviews

[Kory Bootsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luz was born in Puerto Rico but now lives in a big city within the United States. Every time she passes by this empty lot in her neighborhood she can't help but remember the smell of her grandmother's garden back in Puerto Rico and reminisce about the fun they shared. Yet broken glass, bottles, trash, and weeds now litter this lot. But Luz dreams big...she dreams of turning that lot into a community garden. But with no tools, no money, and little support, 8 year old Luz has a huge challenge. Partnered with The Green Giant organization, Luz dreams start to become a reality.

This novel targets young readers between the ages 7-10 and is an uplifting story about the triumphs of challenges faced by children and how perseverance can make dreams come true. I highly recommend it.

[Leslie Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about how you can make a difference if you put your mind to it. Even kids, who we sometimes pass over and don't think they'll be able to make a big difference, are completely capable. Very inspirational.