Monster Tree
by Sarah Allen (Author)
Stranger Things meets A Monster Calls in this spine-tingling, emotionally rich 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.
Something evil is growing . . .
Linus used to be an artist, like his dad. Now his father is gone, and Linus's mom has moved them to the other side of the city, hoping for a fresh start. Maybe, for the first time in months, Linus will even draw again.
But there's something unusual about their 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 appearing on doors and cars, pets going missing, sightings of a red-eyed creature--he suspects Maude and her tree are to blame.
With his home under threat, Linus teams up with his goofy best friend, Spencer, and no-nonsense new girl Abby to unearth whatever sinister seeds have been planted next door . . . where something truly monstrous is just taking root.
Sarah Allen weaves together spooky supernatural adventure with a poignant tale of grief, the healing power of art, and the uniting force of friendship in Monster Tree.
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ALA/Booklist
Readers looking for inventive monsters or those who appreciate a dynamic emotional arc will find something to like here.
Kirkus
A searing exploration of the intersection of grief and horror.
Review quotes
"Allen crafts a heartfelt tale about finding the power within to confront grief. Family and friendship form the center of this spooky yet moving story which will captivate young readers." —Adrianna Cuevas, Pura Belpré Honor- and Edgar Award-winning author of The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez and The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto
"Monster Tree deftly weaves together a spooky monster tale along with the power of friendship and facing your grief . . . A creepy adventure with a heartwarming story about family and friendship." —Ally Malinenko, author of Ghost Girl and This Appearing House
"The scares ratchet up unrelentingly in a page-turning frenzy as Linus fights to save himself, his town, and his family . . . A searing exploration of the intersection of grief and horror." —Kirkus Reviews
"There is a palpable sense of grief in Linus' home as he mourns his father, but with some help from his loving mother and friends, Linus learns to find joy in not only his art but in his relationships . . . Enough scares to entice horror lovers and the right amount of heart and a happy ending to help those who are new to the genre." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Allen capably captures the roiling feelings Linus tries to keep a handle on in the wake of his father's death, especially as he considers returning to making art—something he and his dad had always done together. Readers looking for inventive monsters or those who appreciate a dynamic emotional arc will find something to like here." —Booklist
JUV039030 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Death & Dying
JUV018000 - Juvenile Fiction | Horror
Neighbors
Monsters
Trees
Novels
