Book Description
for Cycle of Rice, Cycle of Life by Jan Reynolds
From The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY)
Cycle of Rice, Cycle of Life is a spectacular photo essay that traces rainfall from the highest peaks on Bali Island, Indonesia, to the rice fields below. The book is divided into chapters, first about the most necessary component for the cycle of rice—water. Ancient farmers constructed an intricate system of streams that carry water through a series of water temples. The second chapter introduces the way rice is grown and then questions if the system is sustain able. The final chapter, “Saving the Cycle,” pits tradition against technology. Author’s note, maps, websites, and a glossary constitute the end matter. Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year, Smithsonian Maga zine Notable Children’s Books, Honor Book—Grade K–6 Social Studies (Society