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Monster Tree
Something evil is growing in this spine-tingling middle grade novel about a boy who must protect his neighborhood from a malevolent monster tree while dealing with the recent loss of his father. Linus used to be an artist, like his dad. Then his father died and Linus’s mom moved them to the other side of the city, hoping for a fresh start. Maybe, for the first time since losing Dad, Linus will even start drawing again.But there’s something unusual about their new neighbor Maude, and something wrong with the grotesque tree in her backyard. At night Linus sees it moving, changing, growing. When increasingly bizarre events plague the neighborhood—massive claw marks, missing pets, sightings of a red-eyed creature—he suspects Maude and her tree are to blame, even if his mom doesn’t quite believe him.With his new home and new neighborhood under threat, Linus teams up with his goofy best friend Spencer and no-nonsense neighbor Abby to unearth whatever sinister seeds have been planted next door . . . even as something truly monstrous is taking root.From the author of The Nightmare House ("A sophisticated choice for horror readers." —Booklist, starred review), Sarah Allen weaves the supernatural adventure of Stranger Things with a poignant tale of grief, healing, and the uniting force of friendship in Monster Tree.
- GenresMiddle Grade
272 pages, Hardcover
Published September 3, 2024
About the author
Sarah Allen
4 books167 followersAuthor & librarian. Up next: THE NIGHTMARE HOUSE (2023). MFA from BYU. Rep:
Rena Rossner. Movie quoter, notebook toter, laugh promoter. Lover of leather jackets, golden retrievers, and Colin Firth.
Rena Rossner. Movie quoter, notebook toter, laugh promoter. Lover of leather jackets, golden retrievers, and Colin Firth.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 26, 2024
Monster Tree is the story of a boy who must protect his neighborhood from a malevolent monster tree while dealing with the recent loss of his father.
This book features a character with asthma and color blindness and a character who uses a hearing aid. I think it’s incredible when you see this type of representation in children’s literature. It also features a story of grief and anger. But there is also the beautiful bonds of friendship that hold you up through those tough times.
Sarah Allen has a poetic writing style that I’ve always enjoyed. My favorite of hers so far has been The Nightmare House.
If you’re interested in picking up a spooky middle grade book that tackles tough topics this fall season, Monster Tree is a good one to check out.
Trigger Warning for a gruesome scene involving animals, kidnapping, and overall spooky vibes.
This book features a character with asthma and color blindness and a character who uses a hearing aid. I think it’s incredible when you see this type of representation in children’s literature. It also features a story of grief and anger. But there is also the beautiful bonds of friendship that hold you up through those tough times.
Sarah Allen has a poetic writing style that I’ve always enjoyed. My favorite of hers so far has been The Nightmare House.
If you’re interested in picking up a spooky middle grade book that tackles tough topics this fall season, Monster Tree is a good one to check out.
Trigger Warning for a gruesome scene involving animals, kidnapping, and overall spooky vibes.
July 27, 2024
Something evil lurks in Linus’s neighborhood…
🫚
Ever since Linus’s dad died and he and his mother moved across town, he hasn’t picked up his charcoal to draw once. Like his artist father, Linus has a gift with art, but can’t bring himself to draw again due to his grief. When a new friend, Abby, and BFF, Spencer, team up to figure out what’s going on with the malevolent tree in his neighbor’s yard, Linus must fight for what and who he loves most in this world.
💀
This was such a spooky, yet tenderhearted MG book by @sarahallenbooks While equal parts terrifying and poignant, Allen is able to weave a supernatural story that will tug at your heartstrings and give you chills. Fans of A Monster Calls and The Night Gardener will love this novel releasing September 3.
CW: hospitalization, grief, parental death (theme), kidnapping, asthma, car accident (discussed)
🫚
Ever since Linus’s dad died and he and his mother moved across town, he hasn’t picked up his charcoal to draw once. Like his artist father, Linus has a gift with art, but can’t bring himself to draw again due to his grief. When a new friend, Abby, and BFF, Spencer, team up to figure out what’s going on with the malevolent tree in his neighbor’s yard, Linus must fight for what and who he loves most in this world.
💀
This was such a spooky, yet tenderhearted MG book by @sarahallenbooks While equal parts terrifying and poignant, Allen is able to weave a supernatural story that will tug at your heartstrings and give you chills. Fans of A Monster Calls and The Night Gardener will love this novel releasing September 3.
CW: hospitalization, grief, parental death (theme), kidnapping, asthma, car accident (discussed)
June 8, 2024
Thank you Netgalley, MacMillan Children's Publishing Group, and Sarah Allen.
This was a beautifully written middle grade story dealing with loss and grief. It would be a good story for kids who like books that are a little spooky and kids who love art. Linus really learned how to process the loss of his father throughout the book.
This was a beautifully written middle grade story dealing with loss and grief. It would be a good story for kids who like books that are a little spooky and kids who love art. Linus really learned how to process the loss of his father throughout the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2024
A well-crafted middle grades novel about grief, moving forward from loss, and the power of art. Highly recommended for middle school readers and their teachers.
September 15, 2024
An excellent commentary on grief and the impact it can have on your heart. Loved the friendships developed and the family dynamic. Excellent spookiness with just the right amount of creep.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews