by Kathi Appelt
First published 1996
Jesse has her eye on a special watermelon. It grows in the corner of the patch where two fence posts come together. She watches and waits as summer rain soaks into it and summer sun beats down on it. Day after day, Jesse checks on her watermelon. She knows it needs time to grow big and sweet. The waiting feels long, but Jesse understands that good things take time. She dreams of the moment when the watermelon will finally be ready. Then her family can have their special Watermelon Day celebration. The anticipation builds as Jesse learns that some of life's sweetest moments are worth the wait.
Genres: fiction, family-life, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: anticipation, coming-of-age, found-family
Setting: Watermelon Patch
Period: Summer
32 pages · Hardcover · Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)