A sweet friendship spanning age and culture blooms in a shared backyard. Khalil lives in the upstairs apartment with his family, which is big and busy and noisy. Downstairs lives Mr. Hagerty, who is quiet. Khalil and Mr. Hagerty don’t appear to have a lot in common, but hot summer days have a way of bringing people together. As Khalil looks for buried treasure in the yard, Mr. Hagerty tends to his garden. Both help each other navigate language – whether it be learning new words or remembering those seemingly forgotten. Before long, an unlikely friendship is born, full of treasure, thoughtfulness, and chocolate cake. Through well-cultivated details and vibrant cut-paper collage, author Tricia Springstubb and illustrator Elaheh Taherian nurture a heart-tugging tribute to the love of good neighbors and to the strength of intergenerational and intercultural bonds.

What Kind of Book is Khalil and Mr. Hagerty and the Backyard Treasures

Reviews

Marmee

5.75

Book Lists That Include This Book

Books about multigenerational

Books about neighbors

Books about multi-generational friendships

The Creatives Behind the Book

Author

Tricia Springstubb

I’ve loved stories all my life–stories in books, stories my grandmother told me, secret stories I made up just for myself. I became a reader early on, but it took a while to figure out I was a writer, too. I had lots of jobs, all of them working with children, before I figured out that what I REALLY wanted to do was put my two great loves–kids and stories–together. I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to be a writer for young readers, the most passionate and loyal readers on the planet. My books range from picture books (Phoebe and Digger) through chapter books (the four Cody books) through middle grade novels (What Happened on Fox Street, Mo Wren Lost and Found, Moonpenny Island, Every Single Second). They’ve won awards and starred reviews, but best of all is that they’re no longer just my stories–they belong to you now, too. I live in Cleveland with my retired teacher husband. We have three grown daughters and two grandbabies. In my spare time, I garden, walk, read (of course) and look for more stories to tell.

Illustrator

Elaheh Taherian