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Seed Savers #3
Heirloom
Jason might go all Edward Snowden on us. He’s ticked that the government put him in foster care and locked up his parents.
Arturo’s inconsistent English and penchant for mysteriously showing up might seem suspicious if he wasn’t so darn charming.
Clare and Dante just want to garden.
Lily, well Lily gets braver by the minute.
It’s late in the twenty-first century and large corporations have merged with U.S. government agencies to control the nation’s food supply. Not only is gardening and seed ownership illegal, but fresh food is unheard of by the masses who are fed the processed food groups of Vitees, Proteins, Carbos, Snacks, and Sweeties.
Thirteen-year-old Clare and her brother Dante have escaped to Canada where the old ways still exist. It is there that they make friends with the roguish Jason and learn the political history of their own country’s decline of freedoms.
Meanwhile, Lily, the friend who was left behind, begins her own journey to find the father she never met—a former leader in the ill-fated Seed Savers rebellion of fifteen years earlier. From Florida to the Smoky Mountains, Lily follows the signs in search of her father and is helped along the way by the quirky characters she meets. Not to mention the attractive Arturo who shows up midway to “protect” her.
Heirloom seamlessly weaves the gentle agrarian story of Clare and Dante together with the swiftly-paced adventure of Lily and Arturo. Themes of family, empowerment, and politics meet in this futuristic tale nostalgic for the past. Heirloom is a hopeful dystopia in today’s current sea of post-apocalyptic literature.
Arturo’s inconsistent English and penchant for mysteriously showing up might seem suspicious if he wasn’t so darn charming.
Clare and Dante just want to garden.
Lily, well Lily gets braver by the minute.
It’s late in the twenty-first century and large corporations have merged with U.S. government agencies to control the nation’s food supply. Not only is gardening and seed ownership illegal, but fresh food is unheard of by the masses who are fed the processed food groups of Vitees, Proteins, Carbos, Snacks, and Sweeties.
Thirteen-year-old Clare and her brother Dante have escaped to Canada where the old ways still exist. It is there that they make friends with the roguish Jason and learn the political history of their own country’s decline of freedoms.
Meanwhile, Lily, the friend who was left behind, begins her own journey to find the father she never met—a former leader in the ill-fated Seed Savers rebellion of fifteen years earlier. From Florida to the Smoky Mountains, Lily follows the signs in search of her father and is helped along the way by the quirky characters she meets. Not to mention the attractive Arturo who shows up midway to “protect” her.
Heirloom seamlessly weaves the gentle agrarian story of Clare and Dante together with the swiftly-paced adventure of Lily and Arturo. Themes of family, empowerment, and politics meet in this futuristic tale nostalgic for the past. Heirloom is a hopeful dystopia in today’s current sea of post-apocalyptic literature.
- GenresMiddle GradeChristian
301 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2013
9 people are currently reading
377 people want to read
About the author
S. Smith
7 books158 followersThis author also writes under the pen name Sandra Smith.
S. Smith grew up on a farm with a tremendously large garden. Though she lives in the city now, her love of growing vegetables and flowers endures. Her first published series, Seed Savers, was born from this desire to plant each spring.
A licensed ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, Ms. Smith has enjoyed teaching students from around the world.
She gardens and writes at her home in the beautiful and green Pacific Northwest.
The first four books of the Seed Savers series are currently available: Treasure, Lily, Heirloom, and Keeper, as well a Christmas short story featuring Lily and Arturo.
S. Smith grew up on a farm with a tremendously large garden. Though she lives in the city now, her love of growing vegetables and flowers endures. Her first published series, Seed Savers, was born from this desire to plant each spring.
A licensed ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, Ms. Smith has enjoyed teaching students from around the world.
She gardens and writes at her home in the beautiful and green Pacific Northwest.
The first four books of the Seed Savers series are currently available: Treasure, Lily, Heirloom, and Keeper, as well a Christmas short story featuring Lily and Arturo.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 16, 2014
I was thrilled to be invited as a participant in the Heirloom book tour. In fact, I was thrilled to find the series for my tween son, who loves nothing better than to help me in our large garden on a warm summer morning. It’s sufficiently scary for tweens without being overwhelmingly so. It’s definitely middle grade, but this adult has also enjoyed it immensely.
The setting of Seed Savers is futuristic, the government more oppressive than it is today. Large corporations have taken over the food supply and the government agencies that regulate it. Growing food has become illegal for private citizens. Yet a thriving Seed Savers movement, those individuals dedicated to preserving the old way of life, won’t let the art of food production and preservation die.
Heirloom is actually the third book in the series. In the first Treasure), three children—siblings Clare and Dante and their friend Lily—get caught up with this grass roots movement. When GRIM, the government’s food policy enforcement agency, catches up to them, Clare and Dante must flee. The second book (Lily) tells what happens to Lily when she is left behind. Of course, she is drawn ever deeper into the movement and learns she has some startling connections to its beginnings. Lily was my favorite so far.
Heirloom continues a split story. Clare and Dante are living with a host family in Canada and taking advantage of that country’s freedom to learn all they can about gardening. While this story line is a bit slow, it does give some information about the history that led up to the present food situation in America. The politics are probably beyond most tweens—they’ll most likely gloss over it—but it makes logical sense to an adult and fills in some holes. The real excitement takes place in Lily’s half of the story. GRIM gets very close once again, and Lily’s not sure who to trust. She finally takes off on a personal mission of her own, much as Dante and Clare did, but in an entirely different direction and with an entirely different motive.
I love the premise of this series, and as a gardener I identify strongly with it. While I absolutely loved the smoothness of the story and the beautiful prose found in Lily, Heirloom had some rougher moments, particularly as Lily’s story is told in the first person. It’s more stylized, with more fragmented sentences and many, many phrases set off with commas, which portrays the tumultuous thoughts playing in her brain. I personally prefer the smoother beauty of a third person narrative. However, Heirloom is not lacking in truly artistic moments.
I was startled by several minor profanities this time around. Usually I just mention them in passing so parents know they’re there. But as they’ve been happily absent in the first two books, I thought I’d express my regret to find them in book three. I understand why they’re used. The character they are associated with is a rough, backwoodsy sort, and they fit him well. I could forgive them in an adult book, but this is very much middle grade fiction. In particular, it’s a series I have urged my kids to read because of the high quality of the writing and the absolute absence of negative factors. Finding profanity now feels a bit like a betrayal. I think the readership would be better served if this particular individual spoke with more creative, colorful expletives (sam hill, goldurned, dagnab, thunderation, blasted, etc.) rather than vulgarity. Just one mother’s opinion. (Ms. Smith answered this by mentioning there is also one d*** in Lily (that I totally missed), beside one in Heirloom along with three h***s. Mild, but there. A tough decision for a writer.)
In conclusion, however, I thought this third installment was a strong addition to a very enjoyable series.
The setting of Seed Savers is futuristic, the government more oppressive than it is today. Large corporations have taken over the food supply and the government agencies that regulate it. Growing food has become illegal for private citizens. Yet a thriving Seed Savers movement, those individuals dedicated to preserving the old way of life, won’t let the art of food production and preservation die.
Heirloom is actually the third book in the series. In the first Treasure), three children—siblings Clare and Dante and their friend Lily—get caught up with this grass roots movement. When GRIM, the government’s food policy enforcement agency, catches up to them, Clare and Dante must flee. The second book (Lily) tells what happens to Lily when she is left behind. Of course, she is drawn ever deeper into the movement and learns she has some startling connections to its beginnings. Lily was my favorite so far.
Heirloom continues a split story. Clare and Dante are living with a host family in Canada and taking advantage of that country’s freedom to learn all they can about gardening. While this story line is a bit slow, it does give some information about the history that led up to the present food situation in America. The politics are probably beyond most tweens—they’ll most likely gloss over it—but it makes logical sense to an adult and fills in some holes. The real excitement takes place in Lily’s half of the story. GRIM gets very close once again, and Lily’s not sure who to trust. She finally takes off on a personal mission of her own, much as Dante and Clare did, but in an entirely different direction and with an entirely different motive.
I love the premise of this series, and as a gardener I identify strongly with it. While I absolutely loved the smoothness of the story and the beautiful prose found in Lily, Heirloom had some rougher moments, particularly as Lily’s story is told in the first person. It’s more stylized, with more fragmented sentences and many, many phrases set off with commas, which portrays the tumultuous thoughts playing in her brain. I personally prefer the smoother beauty of a third person narrative. However, Heirloom is not lacking in truly artistic moments.
I was startled by several minor profanities this time around. Usually I just mention them in passing so parents know they’re there. But as they’ve been happily absent in the first two books, I thought I’d express my regret to find them in book three. I understand why they’re used. The character they are associated with is a rough, backwoodsy sort, and they fit him well. I could forgive them in an adult book, but this is very much middle grade fiction. In particular, it’s a series I have urged my kids to read because of the high quality of the writing and the absolute absence of negative factors. Finding profanity now feels a bit like a betrayal. I think the readership would be better served if this particular individual spoke with more creative, colorful expletives (sam hill, goldurned, dagnab, thunderation, blasted, etc.) rather than vulgarity. Just one mother’s opinion. (Ms. Smith answered this by mentioning there is also one d*** in Lily (that I totally missed), beside one in Heirloom along with three h***s. Mild, but there. A tough decision for a writer.)
In conclusion, however, I thought this third installment was a strong addition to a very enjoyable series.
December 2, 2013
“I haven’t been this in love with a young adult series since Harry Potter,” I wrote after reading the first installment of the Seed Savers Series – Treasure – for the first time. Having now read the second and third installments – Lily and Heirloom – I can happily say that the statement still holds true.
No, there aren’t wizards or magic. The adventure doesn’t reach any of the same fantastical levels, but it is very epic. It is based in a truth that could easily lend itself to being our future. This dystopian society is so intense, because it’s so plausible.
Treasure featured two runaway kids (Clare and Dante) after their discovery of the wonderful world of planting your own seeds and growing your own food, in a government where that is forbidden. They flee for their safety. They flee to learn more.
Lily is where you get to know another character, Clare and Dante’s friend and fellow cohort in the Seed Saving excitement. In this book she blossoms before our eyes into less of a sidekick and more the hero. I was pleasantly surprised to find she had such a huge role in the story. She’s not just the key to almost everything, but the narrator as well! Who knew?
After a long alienation from Clare and Dante, Smith is wise enough to bring us back and feed our curiosity. Heirloom is told back and forth between what’s happening with Clare and Dante, and the world according to Lily. I loved this pattern for a third in a series. It wrapped up some lo0se ends, it led us into asking more questions, and we were able to adventure cross country and learn more about growing plants in a cozy environment in the same book. My brain needed this.
Heirloom, even more than the other two in the series, is full of interesting facts about how a society would get from where it was in the 1980’s to what it is in Smith’s novels. In a time when we are debating GMOs, organics, seeds, and patents, this book is a must have to help middle grade students grasp all the political nuances decisions of today will have on tomorrow. I love that Smith was able to take an intense political topic and weave it into a fascinating (and fun) story.
The fun comes into play, I think, because Smith did not intend to strictly bark all this information at us. It comes from love, and you can sense that as you read. Love for what? “[M]y love of good food,” she said in a blog interview with me once, “Seed Savers is a love story starring home-grown food. I love food—growing, harvesting, cooking, eating, and sharing it. And I think a lot of people these days maybe are missing out on that.”
If you’ve read books one and two, you cannot miss this third part of the series! It’s essential. It has propelled us so much deeper into the story and I’m jittery waiting on the fourth! It didn’t maintain the same read in one sitting quality of books one and two, but I believe that’s because the characters demand more of your time. There is so much more going on, and in the midst of it all they want to teach you as well. That takes more than a day. Clare, Dante, and Lily are growing and stretching their legs, and with them Smith is becoming more detailed and dynamic in her tale. Like good food, Heirloom was made to be savored.
If you haven’t read any of the series, you must. Purchase it for yourself, purchase it for your children for Christmas and read them together – or just swipe the copies and read them yourself. They are so good.
More posts about Heirloom can be found here: http://anakalianwhims.wordpress.com/t...
No, there aren’t wizards or magic. The adventure doesn’t reach any of the same fantastical levels, but it is very epic. It is based in a truth that could easily lend itself to being our future. This dystopian society is so intense, because it’s so plausible.
Treasure featured two runaway kids (Clare and Dante) after their discovery of the wonderful world of planting your own seeds and growing your own food, in a government where that is forbidden. They flee for their safety. They flee to learn more.
Lily is where you get to know another character, Clare and Dante’s friend and fellow cohort in the Seed Saving excitement. In this book she blossoms before our eyes into less of a sidekick and more the hero. I was pleasantly surprised to find she had such a huge role in the story. She’s not just the key to almost everything, but the narrator as well! Who knew?
After a long alienation from Clare and Dante, Smith is wise enough to bring us back and feed our curiosity. Heirloom is told back and forth between what’s happening with Clare and Dante, and the world according to Lily. I loved this pattern for a third in a series. It wrapped up some lo0se ends, it led us into asking more questions, and we were able to adventure cross country and learn more about growing plants in a cozy environment in the same book. My brain needed this.
Heirloom, even more than the other two in the series, is full of interesting facts about how a society would get from where it was in the 1980’s to what it is in Smith’s novels. In a time when we are debating GMOs, organics, seeds, and patents, this book is a must have to help middle grade students grasp all the political nuances decisions of today will have on tomorrow. I love that Smith was able to take an intense political topic and weave it into a fascinating (and fun) story.
The fun comes into play, I think, because Smith did not intend to strictly bark all this information at us. It comes from love, and you can sense that as you read. Love for what? “[M]y love of good food,” she said in a blog interview with me once, “Seed Savers is a love story starring home-grown food. I love food—growing, harvesting, cooking, eating, and sharing it. And I think a lot of people these days maybe are missing out on that.”
If you’ve read books one and two, you cannot miss this third part of the series! It’s essential. It has propelled us so much deeper into the story and I’m jittery waiting on the fourth! It didn’t maintain the same read in one sitting quality of books one and two, but I believe that’s because the characters demand more of your time. There is so much more going on, and in the midst of it all they want to teach you as well. That takes more than a day. Clare, Dante, and Lily are growing and stretching their legs, and with them Smith is becoming more detailed and dynamic in her tale. Like good food, Heirloom was made to be savored.
If you haven’t read any of the series, you must. Purchase it for yourself, purchase it for your children for Christmas and read them together – or just swipe the copies and read them yourself. They are so good.
More posts about Heirloom can be found here: http://anakalianwhims.wordpress.com/t...
January 31, 2014
In a grim future where food comes in packets and gardening is illegal . . .
Brother and sister, Clare and Dante, have escaped to Canada and are sent to live with the Woods, a wonderful couple who run an apple orchard. There they attend classes taught by the Garden Guardians, learning how to plant and cultivate real food.
They are also taught the history behind the laws that led to the modern type of “food”- unappetizing packets with names like “carbos” and “protein”. They learn about Nipungyo, a multi-national ag-biotech corporation which gained power through the development of pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). As the corporation grew in strength, it began prosecuting farmers and infiltrating the government, becoming inextricably linked with GRIM -the government agency that enforces anti-gardening laws.
Meanwhile, back in the States, their friend Lilly has run away from home. She makes her way south to Florida, hoping from there to find a way to Cuba, where she has heard her father is being imprisoned for leading a resistance against GRIM. Along the way, she must learn to gain strength from her own abilities, discovering who she is and who her true friends really are.
I found the basis for this book of the book extremely fascinating. A wonderful book centered on faith, friendship, and independence, it’s also a stern warning for people to wake up and pay attention to what’s going on today with our food. I think this is probably the most plausible premise for a dystopian novel I have read yet, (the parallels between Nipungyo and Monsanto are undeniable) and got so absorbed into the story that I read it all in one sitting.
Heirloom is a fantastic book written for MG/YA (though I’m an adult and thoroughly enjoyed it!). It has a lot to teach kids about being strong, the importance of friendships, and standing up for what’s right. It even teaches you a little bit about gardening (how cool is that?). If you are looking for a gripping dystopian with a twist, look no further. Highly recommended!
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review.
Check out this review on my blog:EpicBookQuest.com
December 11, 2014
Heirloom is the third in the Seed Savers series, following on from Treasure and Lily, and, as I began to anticipate, there is a fourth in the offing, due out very soon!
In a world where all food production from growth to the stores is controlled by a corporation, growing real vegetables and cooking it yourself is forbidden, outlawed, and underground. In Heirloom we discover more about the background to the freedom fighters, and learn secrets about their leaders that have Lily in a spin. She sets off on her own trek across the country, just as Clare and Dante did in Treasure. Unlike them, she does not find a safe family to live with and a school to learn all about agriculture. Her journey leads to unnerving encounters and the discovery of a secret hidden high in the forested hills in the north.
I thought this book even better than its predecessors, and can merely echo my previous comments when I say everyone should read this if they want a future with free communication and self-determination. Of course, many people may want to be spoonfed, but I doubt they will if they are reading my blog!
The one thing I think should be changed is the blurb on the Goodreads site. I thought I’d got the wrong book from the short version – although it may be a blurb to attract readers. Otherwise – another 5 stars for Ms Smith!
Best Read of 2014 Award
In a world where all food production from growth to the stores is controlled by a corporation, growing real vegetables and cooking it yourself is forbidden, outlawed, and underground. In Heirloom we discover more about the background to the freedom fighters, and learn secrets about their leaders that have Lily in a spin. She sets off on her own trek across the country, just as Clare and Dante did in Treasure. Unlike them, she does not find a safe family to live with and a school to learn all about agriculture. Her journey leads to unnerving encounters and the discovery of a secret hidden high in the forested hills in the north.
I thought this book even better than its predecessors, and can merely echo my previous comments when I say everyone should read this if they want a future with free communication and self-determination. Of course, many people may want to be spoonfed, but I doubt they will if they are reading my blog!
The one thing I think should be changed is the blurb on the Goodreads site. I thought I’d got the wrong book from the short version – although it may be a blurb to attract readers. Otherwise – another 5 stars for Ms Smith!
Best Read of 2014 Award
September 16, 2014
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review).
(This review may contain spoilers).
I did like reading this third book in the series, but the chapters did switch between first and third person, which - next to multiple first person POVs - is one of the writing styles I'm not so keen on.
It was good to see more of Dante and Clare and Lily. I felt that Lily's story was a bit more interesting than Clare and Dante's. Although learning about the history of the world was interesting, I did feel that there was a bit too much info dumping at times.
It was good to see the different people's reactions to the society they lived in and how they dealt with the restrictions placed on them. I felt the author showed those differences really well. I also liked Arturo's character more in this book. I liked his friendship with Lily, even if I found myself a bit unsure of him at various points through the book.
It was also good to see the different ways the various societies utilised seeds. I liked the Easter egg hunt... and, again, I liked the use of prayer and Bible passages in this storyline as well.
I was a bit disappointed not to see anything of the people left behind by the characters. It would have been nice to see more of Clare and Dante's mother. And also Lily's.
There were some nice emotional scenes in this book, especially towards the end. I'd like to read the next book in the series at some point in the future. I'd really like to see what happens next with the characters.
(This review may contain spoilers).
I did like reading this third book in the series, but the chapters did switch between first and third person, which - next to multiple first person POVs - is one of the writing styles I'm not so keen on.
It was good to see more of Dante and Clare and Lily. I felt that Lily's story was a bit more interesting than Clare and Dante's. Although learning about the history of the world was interesting, I did feel that there was a bit too much info dumping at times.
It was good to see the different people's reactions to the society they lived in and how they dealt with the restrictions placed on them. I felt the author showed those differences really well. I also liked Arturo's character more in this book. I liked his friendship with Lily, even if I found myself a bit unsure of him at various points through the book.
It was also good to see the different ways the various societies utilised seeds. I liked the Easter egg hunt... and, again, I liked the use of prayer and Bible passages in this storyline as well.
I was a bit disappointed not to see anything of the people left behind by the characters. It would have been nice to see more of Clare and Dante's mother. And also Lily's.
There were some nice emotional scenes in this book, especially towards the end. I'd like to read the next book in the series at some point in the future. I'd really like to see what happens next with the characters.
December 3, 2013
Clare and Dante now live in Quebec, Canada where they learn about growing food and the history of how the USA came to be the place were growing your own food is illegal.
Lily is travelling across the country (USA) with her friend Arturo to find her father who she thought was dead but has found clues that he isn’t. They have to be careful not to get caught by GRIM on their search and find people they can trust to help them.
I like this series a lot. The idea of a government controlling all the food and not letting people know how to grow their own food is creepy and makes an exciting read. I love how in this book a lot of the “history” of how/why the USA is like this is revealed. It really brings the stories together. This book tells two stories, Lily’s, and Clare and Dante’s. As it went back and forth between the two, though, I found myself drawn to Lily’s story more because it had more action in it and I seemed to like that character more. The ending was great! It is the kind of ending I would want for a book and it left me feeling really happy I read the first three in this series. I am looking forward to reading book 4 “Keeper” when it comes out! If you are looking for a unique MG series (just a note -the word h*** is used in this book just a couple times, and some parents won’t want that for an MG reader) with a great dystopian world, I recommend The Seed Savers!
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Lily is travelling across the country (USA) with her friend Arturo to find her father who she thought was dead but has found clues that he isn’t. They have to be careful not to get caught by GRIM on their search and find people they can trust to help them.
I like this series a lot. The idea of a government controlling all the food and not letting people know how to grow their own food is creepy and makes an exciting read. I love how in this book a lot of the “history” of how/why the USA is like this is revealed. It really brings the stories together. This book tells two stories, Lily’s, and Clare and Dante’s. As it went back and forth between the two, though, I found myself drawn to Lily’s story more because it had more action in it and I seemed to like that character more. The ending was great! It is the kind of ending I would want for a book and it left me feeling really happy I read the first three in this series. I am looking forward to reading book 4 “Keeper” when it comes out! If you are looking for a unique MG series (just a note -the word h*** is used in this book just a couple times, and some parents won’t want that for an MG reader) with a great dystopian world, I recommend The Seed Savers!
*NOTE* I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
February 3, 2014
I waited not so patiently for this book after Lily ended on a cliffhanger. I am so glad it finally came out! Hearing the stories of Clare and Dante side by side with the adventures of Lily was a refreshing way to keep up with both storylines. And this time we had a nice wrapped up ending. Although I am ready for book 4.
September 16, 2019
In this third book of the Seed Savers series readers learn that Lily was on the hunt to find her dad. Readers will also learn what Clare and Dante have been doing in Canada. They’ve been assigned to a couple who have been teaching them about vegetables and canning.
In Lily’s travels she meets a couple, Abner and Evelyn who worked for the government and are allowed to grow a garden as long as they don’t sell or share what they produce. They tell her they knew her dad, J.H. Jiminez. She also learned that the Seed Saver network was massive and there was hope that GRIM could be eliminated. As the story of these three kids unfolds the question is will they ever get together with their families again or will they have to continue to hide from GRIM?
Readers who love adventure, mystery and learning about gardening will enjoy this series. The characters are brave and relatable. This what-if world will leave readers pondering what they would do if they were in this situation. This series would be perfect for classroom discussion about secret societies, government overreach, runaways and even breaking the law.
In Lily’s travels she meets a couple, Abner and Evelyn who worked for the government and are allowed to grow a garden as long as they don’t sell or share what they produce. They tell her they knew her dad, J.H. Jiminez. She also learned that the Seed Saver network was massive and there was hope that GRIM could be eliminated. As the story of these three kids unfolds the question is will they ever get together with their families again or will they have to continue to hide from GRIM?
Readers who love adventure, mystery and learning about gardening will enjoy this series. The characters are brave and relatable. This what-if world will leave readers pondering what they would do if they were in this situation. This series would be perfect for classroom discussion about secret societies, government overreach, runaways and even breaking the law.
October 16, 2018
Third book done and awaiting the fourth to finish out the series. Nice story for Young Adults.
November 15, 2020
Pleeease, one more chapter, Mom??
July 27, 2019
In this third installment of the Seed Savers series by Sandra Smith, the action amps up a bit. Clare and Dante are safely installed in Canada after their harrowing adventure north on their bicycles. They are intent on learning all they can about gardening and growing their own food.
Lily is on the run - south, to see if she can discover the truth of her father and his incarceration for being the leader of the Seed Saver movement. On a personal note - it was fun reading about Lily's adventures in Plant City, Florida - where I currently reside. Plant City, today, is a hugely agricultural setting, and the juxtaposition of Lily's world and this current world do not go unnoticed. It is easy to see that a conglomerate can easily gain a monopoly on the world of seeds and hybrid plants. Before he died in 1990, my father-in-law was a local farmer, and he complained heartily about having to purchase new seeds each year; try as he might many seeds he tried to nurture and save did not make it to the next planting season. It is all over the news, too, about Monsanto and their pesticide products; this fictional YA series is so timely and so frightening all at once.
Lily's adventures become more harrowing as she discovers that she is being followed. The characters in this book are "growing up" and their positions become more aligned with middle grade to young adult readers. The topic is so current and fresh, and interesting. Anyone who is interested in the environment and the future of our food supply will surely get an education and a what-if theory from reading these books. I am looking forward to finishing the series!
Lily is on the run - south, to see if she can discover the truth of her father and his incarceration for being the leader of the Seed Saver movement. On a personal note - it was fun reading about Lily's adventures in Plant City, Florida - where I currently reside. Plant City, today, is a hugely agricultural setting, and the juxtaposition of Lily's world and this current world do not go unnoticed. It is easy to see that a conglomerate can easily gain a monopoly on the world of seeds and hybrid plants. Before he died in 1990, my father-in-law was a local farmer, and he complained heartily about having to purchase new seeds each year; try as he might many seeds he tried to nurture and save did not make it to the next planting season. It is all over the news, too, about Monsanto and their pesticide products; this fictional YA series is so timely and so frightening all at once.
Lily's adventures become more harrowing as she discovers that she is being followed. The characters in this book are "growing up" and their positions become more aligned with middle grade to young adult readers. The topic is so current and fresh, and interesting. Anyone who is interested in the environment and the future of our food supply will surely get an education and a what-if theory from reading these books. I am looking forward to finishing the series!
March 24, 2016
Heirloom is another winner in the Seed Savers series! You've got to read the first two in order to read this one though. Don't read this unless you've read those :)
Lily is on her journey to find her father, and Clare and Dante are learning more about farming while they are in Canada. Lily's journey is so exciting, and you never know who she can trust. Clare and Dante are learning so much, and yet they miss their mom. I'm hoping in the subsequent books, she can get to them or they to her...safely! One of the characters in Clare's life has me a bit worried...will he/she turn out to be a mole or are they more involved than Clare knows. It is a wait til the next book question!
I really am enjoying the characters and the story in this series. You've definitely got to read these in order and you can't just read one! They leave you with questions and cliff hangers. If you are a fan of government conspiracy/dystopian type books, you will really enjoy this series! The characters are well written and the books move quickly! Enjoy!
Lily is on her journey to find her father, and Clare and Dante are learning more about farming while they are in Canada. Lily's journey is so exciting, and you never know who she can trust. Clare and Dante are learning so much, and yet they miss their mom. I'm hoping in the subsequent books, she can get to them or they to her...safely! One of the characters in Clare's life has me a bit worried...will he/she turn out to be a mole or are they more involved than Clare knows. It is a wait til the next book question!
I really am enjoying the characters and the story in this series. You've definitely got to read these in order and you can't just read one! They leave you with questions and cliff hangers. If you are a fan of government conspiracy/dystopian type books, you will really enjoy this series! The characters are well written and the books move quickly! Enjoy!
January 2, 2015
This book definatly star tree down to catch my in trestle ad the plot like gained depth. Lily begins her adventure on not only trying to discover her dad but also to discover who she is. You learn about how Clare and Donte spend there days discovering there own secrets. Different types of love start to develope. I'm very excited for the next book to come out and I hope I can get it ASAP!
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