A Small History of a Disagreement

This picture book utilizes a collective first-person perspective to relay the tale of a schoolwide debate when a new school building is proposed on the site of an endangered tree—“a member of a millennial species, thousands of years old.” After signs and protests draw attention to the monkey puzzle tree’s fate (“I want to live”; “I’m 300 years old. Save me!”), the school’s history teacher suggests a debate and subsequent vote between two groups: “Millennials,” who wish to preserve the tree, and “Developers,” who laud the progress the building will bring. The vote results in a solution that suits everyone, a solution that feels well earned by the involved students. Though characters of color are painted in an unfortunate gray hue, Lyon’s illustrations, rendered in a dynamic, sketchlike style, are engaging, with expressive faces and comics-esque panels. A detailed study of community involvement, debate, and voting. Ages 7–12. [em](Oct.) [/em]