Watercress

New England Book Award Winner

A New York Times Best Children’s Book of the Year

A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book

 

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.

 

Andrea Wang tells a moving autobiographical story of a child of immigrants discovering and connecting with her heritage, illustrated by award winning author and artist Jason Chin, working in an entirely new style, inspired by Chinese painting techniques. An author's note in the back shares Andrea's childhood experience with her parents.

 

 

Winner of the Cybils Award

A Wall Street Journal Best Children's Book of the Year

A Boston Globe Best Children's Book of the Year

A Washington Post Best Children's Book of the Year

A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year

An ALSC Notable Children's Book

Named a best book of the year by Publishers Weekly, BookPage, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Lunch, Shelf Awareness, and more!

A CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book

An NPR 'Book We Love!'

A Horn Book Fanfare Title

A Mighty Girl Best Book of the Year

A Floyd's Pick Honor Book

A CSMCL Best Multicultural Children's Book of the Year

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!

A CCBC Choice