INTRODUCTION
This reading guide is designed to accompany Jacqueline Briggs Martin, Eric-Shabazz Larkin, and Will Allen’s picture book Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table. We hold the belief that anti-racist practice is a process of learning (and unlearning) over time. Reading Is Resistance sees reading as an opportunity to seed deeper conversations and possibilities for action around racial justice in our communities.
Lesson content was written as part of a partnership with Portland State University. The author is Remonda Hanna and editors are Conlan Morgan and Jessica Johnson.
BOOK
THEMES
ACTION, HEALTH, FOOD SECURITY, FAMILY, COMMUNITY
THE READ ALOUD
BOOK SUMMARY
Based on a true story, this book tells Will Allen’s story; he grew up in a family in Maryland where they grew most of their own food. In college, Will became a professional basketball player in Belgium, and when he was there a friend got him hooked on farming. When he moved back to the States, he bought six abandoned greenhouses in Milwaukee. With the help of adults and children from his community, he got the greenhouses working and he grew food in all six of them. Will sees things a little differently than others and “when he sees kids, he sees farmers.”This story inspires readers to start their own community or school gardens.
FULL READING GUIDE (download here)
For the full reading guide including discussion questions based on anti-oppression capacity building, download below!