Tomatoes on Trial
The Fruit v. Vegetable Showdown
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Available from:
Published by Calkins Creek (2025-08-12)
Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? The US Supreme Court takes on the case in this juicy history picture book for kids ages 7 to 10.
In the late 1800s, American produce king John Nix just wanted to sell tomatoes. But when import taxes on popular vegetables impacted his profits, he knew he had to remedy the situation. Nix set out to prove that tomatoes, which have seeds and grow on vines, were clearly fruits. That was the claim Nix argued all the way to the US Supreme Court. With Nix on Team Fruit, and the US government on Team Vegetable, both sides slung definition after definition in an epic, legal food fight. This little-known agriculturally-based story from American history will fascinate young readers and encourage them to take a stand and defend their opinions.
In the late 1800s, American produce king John Nix just wanted to sell tomatoes. But when import taxes on popular vegetables impacted his profits, he knew he had to remedy the situation. Nix set out to prove that tomatoes, which have seeds and grow on vines, were clearly fruits. That was the claim Nix argued all the way to the US Supreme Court. With Nix on Team Fruit, and the US government on Team Vegetable, both sides slung definition after definition in an epic, legal food fight. This little-known agriculturally-based story from American history will fascinate young readers and encourage them to take a stand and defend their opinions.
Book Details
Format:
Hardcover
Price:
18.99 USD / 24.99 CAD
Published: 2025-08-12
ISBN: 9781662680533
Imprint:
Calkins Creek
Page Count: 32
Trim Size: 9 x 11
Grades:
Grades 2-5
Ages:
7-10 years
"With more puns than a tomato has seeds, this title will have young debaters ready to take on the challenge of 'Fruit or Vegetable?' Full of evidence and rebuttals, the book exposes readers to the arguments on both sides of the issue and by the end, they might find their opinions have changed. No matter the outcome, readers will have learned a great deal about legal reasoning and how to make a convincing argument. Fotheringham’s blotted line and color wash illustrations brim with humor and history, adding to the appeal of this engaging title. By the end, readers will be ripe and ready to make the case for the tomato’s classification one way or another, will have learned some interesting facts, and gained a basic understanding of how to build a logical, fact-based argument. This is a novel piece of nonfiction that is fully entertaining for older elementary students."—School Library Journal