Skeleton Tree

Skeleton Tree

by Kim Ventrella (Author), Victoria Assanelli (Illustrator)

Synopsis

'This book was amazing and I give it a 5 star. I love the mystery and secrecy about it . . . I loved this so much.' - Ashley Patt, Yr 7, for lovereading4kids.co.uk


When Stanley Stanwright finds a bone poking out of the earth in his back garden, he is determined to take a picture of it and send it to the Young Discoverer's Competition, thinking it will help bring his dad back home. But the bone begins to grow, reaching up out of the ground until it turns into a skeleton - a skeleton with an unusual interest in his unwell younger sister Miren.

As time wears on, Miren's condition worsens, and the only time she is truly at peace is when she is playing with the skeleton. But Stanley is wary of him, especially when he finally manages to get a picture, and spots a scythe at the skeleton's feet. . .

Skeleton Tree by Kim Ventrella is a whimsical, heartfelt story about a boy who finds a friend in Death with the help of an unusual tree growing in his back garden. With black line illustrations throughout by Victoria Assanelli.

$3.75

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Quantity

2 in stock

More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 288
Edition: Main Market
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Published: 21 Sep 2017

ISBN 10: 1509828672
ISBN 13: 9781509828678
Children’s book age: 9-11 Years
Book Overview: There are a lot of things that grow in gardens. Bones aren't one of them.

Media Reviews
When white, zombie-obsessed, 12-year-old Stanly discovers a human skeleton growing up from his backyard-beginning as a single fingertip-he sees opportunity.Photographing and writing about this, he reasons, may lead to winning the Young Discoverer's Prize, which will bring Dad back from 1,500 miles away, and then his little sister, Miren, might stop getting sicker. This ambitious debut story of magical thinking keeps a mostly light tone despite the worsening gravity of Miren's health throughout. It is peppered with whimsical asides and anatomical jokes in addition to homespun tales from Ms. Francine, part-time cook and child care helper from Kyrgyzstan. Stanly tries to keep his (literally) growing secret confined to his OCD-diagnosed best friend, Jaxon (who has a cloud of black hair but is otherwise racially unidentified). Miren quickly finds out, but although she can't keep a secret, overworked, underpaid, and worried Mom is literally unable to see the skeleton, dubbed Princy by Miren. Conversely, the wise, folkloric Ms. Francine reacts, from the first phalangeal breakthrough, like she was remembering something sad and happy all at once. The close-third-person narrative doggedly expresses Stanly's struggles with conflicting thoughts and emotions-but also keeps action rolling. Stanly copes well with problems ranging from the mundane (ineffectual cameras) to the extraordinary (photographing an evasive skeleton) to the heart-wrenching (a gravely ill sister; burdened parents). The emotional roller coaster of a contemporary white family in crisis, tempered by a touch of magic and a resilient, likable protagonist. -- Kirkus Reviews * Kirkus Reviews *
This is an amazing book and I would recommend it to people who like family stories and adventure stories. -- Jessica Cobbin, age 10 * for lovereading4kids.co.uk *
Lovely book, showing how a child deals with grief and family problems, filled with fun, adventure, and emotion. I couldn't put it down - a tear jerker, but an amazing book that I will recommend to all. -- Stanley, age 10 * for lovereading4kids.co.uk *
Skeleton Tree is an amazing story for sort hearted readers. I would rate it 10 out of 10 ... It wasn't hard to read and the story grips you so you want to read just one more page no matter where you are. -- Isaac East, age 11 * for lovereading4kids.co.uk *
I really enjoyed reading Skeleton Tree because I was desperate to know more and find out what would happen. -- Bella, age 10 * for lovereading4kids.co.uk *
I loved this book ... I loved the way Kim Ventrella made it seem like it was happening to me that the skeleton was in my back garden. -- Amina, age 11 * for lovereading4kids.co.uk *
This book is very emotional - I cried for a really long time when I finished it, and I don't normally cry about books... it made me feel very strongly, and that is what a good book does. -- Toby Little, Age 9 * for lovereading4kids.co.uk *
A memorable read and a set of beautifully portrayed and very realistic characters. -- Rosie Watch, Teacher * for lovereading4kids.co.uk *
Author Bio
Kim Ventrella is a children's librarian, and a lover of weird, whimsical stories of all kinds. She lives in Oklahoma City. SKELETON TREE is her debut novel. Victoria Assanelli loves drawing all things whimsy and dreamlike. She originally trained as a textile designer, but her love of books and drawing led her to pursue illustration. She is from Buenos Aires in Argentina.