June 29, 1999, by David Wiesner

            This picture storybook tells about what happens when grade school student Holly Evans begins a science experiment. Holly launches her experiment on May 11, 1999 when she uses weather balloons to float cups of seedlings in the air. She wants to know what will happen to the growing plants in high altitudes. Later, reports come in about building-sized vegetables floating to earth in various places. Holly thought it might be her experiment, but some of the reported vegetables are not ones that she planted. She does not know from whom the vegetables came, but she does know that they are not hers. At the end of the story, it is revealed that the giant vegetables came from aliens called the Arcturians when their chef accidentally dumped their vegetables out of the spaceship. The Arcturians worry if they will have nothing to eat. However, the last picture reveals that Holly’s experimental vegetables have grown and float towards the Arcturian spaceship. This book is one of  the ALA Notable Children’s Book, New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, New York Times’ Notable Books of the Year, Parents Choice Book Award for Illustration, Publishers Weekly’s 50 Best Picture Books, School Library Journal’s Best Books of the Year, and Horn Book’s Outstanding Books of the Year.

            This book is appropriate for second grade through fourth grade. The illustrations are vivid and capture attention, and the plot of the story is not too complicated. I would use this book when introducing the scientific method or before the students do their first science experiment for the year. Holly Evans is a good example of a grade school scientist because she researched and carefully prepared for her experiment. Students could discuss what could have gone wrong if she did not do either of these steps to reiterate the importance of preparation. Additionally, Holly documented data throughout her experiment. This is how she knew what vegetables she planted and that the ones falling to Earth were not hers. As a class, we could discuss different methods and scenarios for tracking data that we will use throughout the year. The book also shows that Holly presented her experiment before her class, and my students will do presentations as well throughout the year. Furthermore, the end of the book does not expressly say that the Arcturians ate Holly’s vegetables, but this is what the illustration implies. As a class, the students could discuss how to draw inferences from pictures. This is a good example to show students that pictures should contribute to the story as much as words.