What can the rocks in old stone walls tell us about how the earth's crust was shaped, melted by volcanoes, carved by glaciers, and worn by weather? And what can they tell us about earlier people on the land and the first settlers? As Adam and his grandfather work together to repair the family farm's old stone walls, Adam learns how fascinating geology can be, and how the everyday landscape provides intriguing clues to the past.
Stone Wall Secrets also shows positive family dynamics between different generations and different races in an adoptive family. Gus Moore's richly detailed paintings are the perfect complement to a story full of imagery and wonder.
“…imagine a unit on walls, complete with geology, history, art, and geography. Consider pairing this book with such titles as Frances Weller's luminous Matthew Wheelock's Wall (1992), Leonard Fisher's monolithic The Great Wall of China (1986, both Macmillan), and Margy Knight's Talking Walls (1992) and Talking Walls: The Stories Continue (1996, both Tilbury House), perhaps introduced by a reading of Frost's poem, "Mending Walls."--Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY "School Library Journal"
Kristine H. Thorson's interests in teaching, learning, language, and culture sent her to live, work, and study around the world, but she feels most at home in New England surrounded by stone walls.
Robert M. Thorson is a journalist, scientist, and award-winning author. His love of stone walls began when he stumbled upon an abandoned wall during a walk in the woods in 1984, shortly after arriving to teach geology at the University of Connecticut. Professor Thorson enjoys coordinating the Stone Wall Initiative and sharing his knowledge of the historic New England landscape.
Gustav Moore grew up on a farm in Whitefield, Maine, and graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in illustration. He has illustrated eight children's books. He lives in Portland, Maine.Ages: 8-12
Target Age: 8-12
Tilbury House
Pub Date: October 01, 2001
40 pages
Paperback