Driving through Ohio in an old Pontiac, a young girl's parents stop suddenly when they spot watercress growing wild in a ditch by the side of the road. Grabbing an old paper bag and some rusty scissors, the whole family wades into the muck to collect as much of the muddy, snail covered watercress as they can. At first, she's embarrassed. Why can't her family get food from the grocery store? But when her mother shares a story of her family's time in China, the girl learns to appreciate the fresh food they foraged. Together, they make a new memory of watercress.
How it feels
MoodBittersweet
AtmosphereBleak
How it reads
Character focusSmall ensembleLarge ensemble
Worth knowing
Written forChildrenMiddle grade
When and where
Reading situationRead aloud
ThemesFamily
Content notes
Quotes
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