Great Books by Dan Whitman

Genre: Young Adult/Eco

Title: Southcrop Forest

Author: Lorne Rothman

Southcrop Forest is in danger of losing yet another farm. All the trees automatically lose hope and merely continue their daily life, ignoring the disaster that might occur. Auja begs to differ on how the Elders handle the situation but goes with the flow anyways; after all, she’s only a young oak. Then a door of opportunity is opened. The oakling finds an interesting colony of caterpillars named Fur. Auja and her fellow trees push Fur to be the hero and save Southcrop’s Riverside farm with nagging coaxes and repetitive warnings about the horrible plague that’s nearing. With countless complaints and reluctance, Fur finally gives in to embark on this terrifying journey.

Southcrop Forest allows young and adult readers to see things from nature’s point of view. It sends an important message to the human species that no matter what—trees have a life, too, and they are a vital part of our ecosystem. Without them, who knows where how we, human, would live?

Lorne Rothman studied ecology at the Universities of Toronto, British Columbia and Alberta. His knowledge of ecosystems and affection for trees are beautifully revealed in his first published book: Southcrop Forest.  Rothman currently resides in Toronto with his family and, of course, a great old oak tree, which might explain his soft spot for trees.

Southcrop Forest is an engaging story, which studies the importance of trees in Earth’s fragile ecosystem with a little adventure woven in it. Southcrop Forest is highly recommended by reviewer: Iris Park, Allbooks Review. 

ISBN: 978-0-595-49588-7

Price:  $13.95 US