Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai

Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari MaathaiWangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and founder of the Green Belt Movement, grew up in the highlands of Kenya, where fig trees cloaked the hills, fish filled the streams, and the people tended their bountiful gardens. But over many years, as more and more land was cleared, Kenya was transformed. When Wangari returned home from college in America, she found the village gardens dry, the people malnourished, and the trees gone. How

Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and founder of the Green Belt Movement, grew up in the highlands of Kenya, where fig trees cloaked the hills, fish filled the streams, and the people tended their bountiful gardens. But over many years, as more and more land was cleared, Kenya was transformed. When Wangari returned home from college in America, she found the village gardens dry, the people malnourished, and the trees gone. How could she alone bring back the trees and restore the gardens and the people?

Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature, says: Wangari Maathai's epic story has never been told better--everyone who reads this book will want to plant a tree

With glowing watercolor illustrations and lyrical prose, Claire Nivola tells the remarkable story of one woman's effort to change the fate of her land by teaching many to care for it. An author's note provides further information about Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt Movement. In keeping with the theme of the story, the book is printed on recycled paper.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr)
Published: 04/01/2008
ISBN: 9780374399184
Pages: 32
Weight: 0.98lbs
Size: 9.24h x 10.92w x 0.42d
Award: Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Recommended
Award: Jane Addams Children's Book Award - Winner
Award: William Allen White Childens Book Award - Nominee
Award: Parents Choice Awards (Spring) (2008-Up) - Gold Medal Winner

Review Citations: Publishers Weekly 03/10/2008 pg. 81
Booklist 02/15/2008 pg. 92
School Library Journal 04/01/2008 pg. 135
Kirkus Review - Children 04/01/2008 pg. 367
Horn Book Magazine 05/01/2008 pg. 339
New York Times Book Review 09/14/2008 pg. 19
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2008 - Superior,Well Above Average
Hornbook Guide to Children 10/01/2008 pg. 456 - Superior,Well Above Average
Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2009 pg. 16
ALA Notable Children's Books 03/15/2009 pg. 23

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 121421 / Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai
Reading Level: 5.9 / Interest Level: Lower Grade / Point Value: 0.5