2 November 20172 May 2021 Kirsten

Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker

Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker

Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker is a great historical fiction picture book to promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, female lead characters and growth mindset.

In 1958, the Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows. They were blamed for destroying the nation’s wheat crop. But the consequence of their disappearance brought on a plague of locust, destroying all the crops.

Ming Li, is a compassionate and determined girl, who rescues seven sparrows before the cull. She cares for, then frees the birds. The sparrows kill the locust and save the village from a devastating famine.

Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Yoko Tanaka
Publisher: Hyperion Books (2009)
ISBN: 978-1423111870

Yoko Tanaka Official Website

Take a look inside

Resources

These resources relate to the book, author and illustrator. The number of resources varies book to book. Please check they are appropriate for your specific needs before using them with children. If you have any suggestions please get in touch!

4 – 6 Literature: Reading and Discussion
Art Design Primary School Teaching: The Sparrow Girl Learning Plan
Beyond the Bookends: Lesson Plan
Sara Pennypacker Website: Sparrow Girl background information
Scholastic: Sara Pennypacker Discusses Sparrow Girl

Videos

Related Posts

Books by Sara Pennypacker & Yoko Tanaka

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0786838833&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=childrensli00-20&language=en_US" >

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=childrensli00-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=0786838833" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0062698958&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=childrensli00-20&language=en_US" >

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=childrensli00-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=0062698958" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0062198564&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=childrensli00-20&language=en_US" >

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=childrensli00-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=0062198564" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0062377027&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=childrensli00-20&language=en_US" >

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=childrensli00-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=0062377027" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0061429902&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=childrensli00-20&language=en_US" >

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=childrensli00-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=0061429902" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0439301831&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=childrensli00-20&language=en_US" >

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=childrensli00-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=0439301831" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0061964220&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=childrensli00-20&language=en_US" >

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=childrensli00-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=0061964220" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0439301807&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=childrensli00-20&language=en_US" >

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=childrensli00-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=0439301807" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0439517400&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=childrensli00-20&language=en_US" >

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=childrensli00-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=0439517400" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1536204536&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=childrensli00-20&language=en_US" >

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=childrensli00-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=1536204536" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1484778219&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=childrensli00-20&language=en_US" >

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=childrensli00-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=1484778219" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0374361150&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=childrensli00-20&language=en_US" >

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=childrensli00-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=0374361150" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0763680885&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=childrensli00-20&language=en_US" >

<img data-pin-description="The Chinese government ordered the eradication of all sparrows to prevent the destruction of the nation's wheat crop. With forethought, Ming Li rescues seven sparrows. The lack of sparrows brings on a plague of locust and the destruction of crops. Ming Li frees her birds and saves her village from the famine. Promote cause and effect, compassion, inquirer, and a growth mindset." data-pin-title="Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker" class="lazyload lazyload" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=childrensli00-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=0763680885" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

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