Faced with moving away from his beloved river in the country, Martin
discovers it is possible to make a meaningful connection to nature in
the city, too, and find ways to accept changes beyond his control.
Martin loves to play by the river near his house. He watches the great
blue herons and looks for crayfish and otters. He builds forts and lies
in the tall grass near the water. But one day Martin's parents tell him
they have to move away, to the city.
The family spend a day in the city, exploring their future home. Martin
rides the subway, visits the market, explores the museum and watches a
street performer, but none of the city's charms can compare with the
river. Then his parents show him a small stream running through the
park, and Martin senses something familiar in the air.
When moving day arrives, Martin fills a small glass jar with river water
as a keepsake. And when he returns to the stream, he discovers that his
connection to nature can be just as wondrous in the city.
This poetic story looks at the special relationship between an
imaginative child and the natural world, and explores how that
connection can be nurtured and recreated in a new place.
Key Text Features
dialogue
illustrations
vignettes
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language
Arts:
****CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7
With prompting and support, describe the relationship between
illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a
story an illustration depicts).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of
their central message or lesson.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or
appeal to the senses.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters,
setting, or events.
