53 pages • 1 hour read
Cindy BaldwinWhere The Watermelons Grow
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2018A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Where the Watermelons Grow by Cindy Baldwin follows 12-year-old Della Kelly as she navigates the challenges posed by her mother's schizophrenia while managing the family farm and maintaining friendships. As Della searches for a way to alleviate her family's struggles, she learns valuable lessons about love, acceptance, and resilience. This novel contains depictions of a person with mental health challenges and a child in emotional distress.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Cindy Baldwin's Where the Watermelons Grow writes a heartfelt, lyrical middle-grade novel that deeply resonates with readers through its exploration of family and mental illness. The book's vivid, evocative prose and realistic portrayal of its young protagonist evoke empathy. Some readers, however, find the pacing slow at times and the ending somewhat predictable. Overall, it is a moving and thoughtfully crafted narrative.
Who Should Read Where The Watermelons Grow?
Readers who enjoy Where the Watermelons Grow by Cindy Baldwin are typically preteens and young adults who appreciate heartfelt stories about family, resilience, and personal growth. Fans of Bridge to Terabithia or Because of Winn-Dixie will likely find similar emotional depth and relatable characters in Baldwin's work.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
1020LBook Details
Mental Illness
Children's Literature
Realistic Fiction
Modern Classic Fiction
Identity: Mental Health
Relationships: Family
Relationships: Friendship