Being almost 10 seems very exciting from my point of view. I see kuttyma making the most of summer. She flirts from activity to activity, complains of boredom and discovers hidden laughter everywhere. The best parts of being (almost) 10, in my opinion is books and time.

What do you like about this book and the series? I ask, waving a copy of the Treasure by Sandra Smith. “The suspense,” she says before finding and nook to settle in with her coloring book.

Middle Grade Literature Today

Middle-grade literature has evolved a lot since the time I was in middle grade and they handle a variety of hard topics. Sandra Smith’s Seed Savers series deals with one such topic. A topic that left me disturbed and unsettled – mostly because I know it could happen. Something so dystopian could very well be reality in the world my daughter grows up in.

Review: The Seed Savers

In a day not too far from today (well in 2077) and a world the one we live in, Clare learns about something called “seeds”, “fruits”, “vegetables” and a secret community called “seed savers”. Suddenly, Clare and her brother are fugitives and their mother is in prison for growing plants. As the duo, flee on the bicycles, they learn more about food and farms, fields and themselves.

My daughter liked Lily, Clare’s friend who is surprised when her friends disappear. Lily’s story is Book 2 of the series. While, it can be read as a stand-alone, it is a great transition from Book 1. Like most middle grade fiction, Smith weaves a small romantic attachment to Lily. Book 3 of the series, Heirloom, seems to bring all of it together. Clare, Dante and Lily, seek the future they deserve.

Author Sandra Smith, describes these books as gently dystopian. I understand why she calls them that but as I mentioned before, it left me very disturbed. The very idea of losing in the form we have today due to genetic modification, politics, price wars and capitalism is in lot of ways revolting. I am glad there are authors who bring such concepts in front of young readers.

Kuttyma and the Seed Savers

My almost 10-year old devoured the first three books in days. She was able to relate to the characters immediately and imagine the dystopian world. The books are written for middle graders and the language and style is very age appropriate.

My daughter was able to connect the dots and enjoyed predicting the outcomes in each of the books. She loved the suspense Smith was able to weave into her works and keep it interesting for kids.

The Verdict

Pick up the books if you have a middle school reader. It will fill up those lazy summer afternoons.

I received free copies of the Seed Savers series for the purposes of this review. All opinions are mine and kuttyma’s.