WELCOME TO SILVER STREET FARM

Three kids, many years of planning and an audacious go at public activism add up to one community farm.

Though Gemma, Meera and Karl can’t quite remember when their dream of having a farm of their own began, it seems to have started in kindergarten. When Mrs. Monty led them to the toy corner, they instantly built a farm, complete with plastic cows, chickens and a headless sheep. Playing farm helped build their friendship, kick-started by these city kids’ love of animals and fueled by books about farming and farm life. When Meera’s Auntie Priya hears about an old, unused railroad station with outbuildings and land, they decide it’s perfect for an urban farm. Moving forward at the speed of elementary students with an obsession, these future farmers visit the space, arrange television interviews and bring local adults on board, all the while facing down the property owner, who plans to raze the railroad station to put up a parking lot. Funny situations, especially Karl’s aunt’s online purchase of twin poodles that turn out to be sheep, and such details as various animal footprints racing across the bottom of most pages keep this good-hearted tale moving forward. A tidy ending ensures the farm’s success.

Young activists will be inspired and entertained by these three animal-loving friends and their supportive community.