Chapter 1 of the book Seedfolks introduces us to a young girl named Kim. She lives in a neighborhood that used to be full of gardens, but now it’s mostly abandoned and run-down. Kim’s family is from Vietnam, and they moved to America for a better life. Kim’s father passed away, and she misses him a lot.

One day, Kim decides to plant some lima beans in a vacant lot near her apartment building. She hopes that by growing something, she can bring life back to her neighborhood. She takes care of the beans every day, watering them and making sure they get enough sunlight.

As Kim tends to her beans, she starts to notice other people in the neighborhood becoming interested in her garden. A man named Gonzalo, who is from Guatemala, helps her water the plants. A pregnant woman named Leona stops by to ask about the beans, and Kim shares her story with her.

Kim’s garden becomes a symbol of hope and unity for the neighborhood. People start to come together and talk to each other, sharing stories and experiences. The garden brings people from different backgrounds and cultures closer, and they start to feel like a community again.

In this chapter, we learn about Kim’s determination to make a positive change in her neighborhood through gardening. We also see how a simple act of planting seeds can bring people together and create a sense of belonging.