Dear Mr. Sprouts — Errol Broome

When Anke launches her green balloon with an envelope of seeds attached -- and Freddie sends her a letter telling her he found it -- the city girl and country boy form an unlikely friendship that changes their lives and transforms the bare hills of Freddie's farm forever. Told through letters, this reflective novel tells the compelling story of a friendship that grows into a lifetime of love, work, and marriage. Woven throughout the novel are themes of environmental awareness, the differences between city and country life, and the pains of growing up. This charming story is told with a lightness of touch and a depth of feeling that will gently stir young readers to contemplate relationships and the importance of making ethical decisions.