This is a clever and quirky non-fiction picture book that tells the story of the supreme court's ruling on where tomatoes fall in the fruit or vegetable debate. I've never read anything quite like it.

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

I never knew there was a trial on tomatoes and their fruit or vegetable status. This book was interesting and informative. I loved the artwork and the arguments for both sides. A fun read and interesting facts at the end too,

Real history and a lesson in lawsuits, import taxing/tariffs, debating, and what does it mean to be a vegetable or fruit. Good classroom material with high learning potential.
The illustrations by Edwin Fotheringham are imaginative, attention-getting, delightfully colorful, and FUN!
Well suited for reading WITH someone any age from 7 and up, including ESL, and great for gifting to a school, teacher, or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected eGalley on NetGalley Reader from Astra Publishing House | Calkins Creek via NetGalley. Pub Date Aug 12, 2025
#TomatoesonTrial by @lindsayhmetcalf with illustrator @@efotheringham @astrahousebooks #calkinscreek #NetGalley #childrensbookillustration #childrensbook #picturebooks #kidlitart #kidlit #drawingsforkids #Illustrated @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial #nonfiction @barnesandnoble @waterstones **** Review @booksamillion @bookshop_org #history @bookshop_org_uk @kobo @childrensbookcouncil #tomatoes #tomatoes🍅 #nonfictionforkids #stemeducation #steameducation #picturebooks #picturebooklove #picturebooksofinstagram #kidsbooks #kidlit #childrensbooks #homeschool #fruitorvegetable #lawsuit #importtax #witty #rhymes #debates #tariffs

Not only do I love tomatoes and grow them myself, but I have been looking into more nonfiction picture books both for my school library and my impending grandson. This was an interesting look at both science and debate. I wanted a bit more information for my school library, although I like the idea of using this book to prepare students for a debate. The illustrations are delightful and also give a good historical feel to the book. I would definitely purchase this for an elementary library.

As for the debate, I have to reply with my favorite quote "Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not using it in fruit salad."

This is such a fun way to present non fiction to younger students! I am always looking for non fiction books that would make good read alouds for my elementary library classes. This is definitely one of them and I look forward to it's publishing so that I can get my hands on a hard copy for my library.
This book details the life and quest of John Nix to bring tomatoes to New York. Bringing the fruits from Bermuda, Nix was excited for the financial fruits of his labor... That is until customs collector Edward Hedden deemed the tomatoes vegetables and demanded a 10% vegetable tax. The battle over tomatoes as fruits vs vegetables ensued, making it all the way up to the US Supreme Court. In the end team vegetable won and the tariff was enforced and Nix continued his tomato importation operation despite it. The last 4 pages detail information for critical thinking for students to make their own determination about the fruit vs vegetable debate. This includes how to debate, the definitions Nix and Hedden used to describe the foods and the differences, the widely accepted definitions today as well as "extra credit" words, authors notes and more facts. The last page also cites primary, secondary, and online sources for the information shared which is so important as an example for children learning to do research and report on it.
The witty word play and humorous rhyme and verse make for a fun flow to the story, and kids will love the puns and illustrations. Speaking of illustrations... The images in this book are so well done! The color and style of the illustrations match the timeline of the story being that it is set in the 1880s & 90s. The portraits remind me of those found on our currency, and the colors are neutrals in the backgrounds and people yet vibrant primary colors on the vegetables and flags.
Overall I loved this book and would really like to have a hard copy to read aloud in my elementary school library.
Thank you to Calkins Creek, Astra Publishing House, the author and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Tomatoes on Trial is a low stakes introduction to some of today's hot button issues. The book tells the story of a Supreme Court case in which the question of whether a tomato was a fruit or a vegetable was the key issue in order to resolve a tax dispute. In doing so, it introduces concepts like tariffs, taxes, and the judiciary system. The book is engaging and ends with suggestions on how readers can become great debaters. This book will be a great instructional tool for social studies classes, as well as for kids who just have questions about what they're hearing on the news.

This was a very informative book about the debate of fruit or vegetable for a tomato. I loved the time line of history of the debate and the facts about taxes I didn’t know. Great topic!

What a fun and unique book! The fruit vs. vegetable debate is one that kids can really get into (I remember as a little kid getting into heated arguments about what makes a fruit a fruit, etc. - and I have a feeling those arguments continue to this day). I liked how the endmatter was not only about the differences between fruits and vegetables, but also how to debate and structure an argument in order to convince people to be on your side. (A great combination of language arts and science!)

I think this will be a strong addition to many nonfiction collections.

This book tells the tale of a relatively unknown court case about whether the tomato was a fruit or a vegetable. It was interesting and fun but could have included a little more about the actual case.

I loved this fun title about Tomatoes. It is a good historical anecdote. And a wonderful way to introduce students to debate.
This quirky title could be a perfect class read. Introducing plant parts and what makes something a fruit or a vegetable. Could also lend itself to a spirited debate on the ongoing fruit or vegetable question.

A delightful book about a real Supreme Court case as to whether a tomatoe is a fruit or a vegetable. The book, written for middle readers, discusses taxation, litigation, and ultimate resolution. This is a strange case for some of you readers. As a CPA who taught taxation nationwide, this case does not strike me as odd (except to the extent that all taxation and tariffs are odd, given that definition is absolutely key). This book is a fun read, but left me hungry . . . for pizza. Go figure!

Overall, the book was well written and I did really enjoy it. Thank you for this advance reading copy!