The Trouble with Henry: A Tale of Walden Pond
Grade 2-5–When Henry David Thoreau leaves Concord, MA, to live in his cabin at Walden Pond, the townsfolk think that he is crazy. They do not share his concerns about the loss of natural resources and view the construction of factories, industrial activity, and even the polluted air as signs of progress. At the end of a long winter, the mayor announces that a toothpick factory will be built near Walden Pond. Thoreau attends the town meeting and encourages everyone to join him for a walk in the woods. The townsfolk breathe in clean air, marvel at spring flowers, and chuckle at the antics of animals. They realize that the woods are precious and worth saving. The straightforward language reads like an informational book, and adults who introduce this title to children will need to explain the difference between the factual versus fictional events. Schindler portrays Thoreau as a lanky, healthy character in a village of pinched faces and upturned noses; he captures the gritty tones of an industrial village as well as the lushness of the forest.–Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.