Do naught wrong by the mulberry tree, or she’ll take your daughters … one, two, three.

Ten-year-old Immy and her family run away from their storm cloud of problems to a tiny village in Cambridgeshire, England. When they find an adorable thatched cottage to begin a perfect new life in, the only downside is the ancient, dark and fierce-looking mulberry tree in the back garden. And the legend that comes with it – the villagers say the tree steals away girls living in the cottage on the eve of their eleventh birthday.

Of course, Immy thinks this is ridiculous.

Then she starts to hear a strange song in her head…

Allison Rushby’s new novel for middle-grade readers is a captivating, spooky mystery.

Out July 2020

304 Pages

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

The premise promising an eerie, spooky and even creepy vibe for a middle-graders is what caught my attention. This is a fast-paced easy read. Underlying topics of depression, guilt and forgiveness. The author’s writing is fluid and captivating. She develops her characters realistically. I love how she included Immy’s anger with her father’s behavior for which she felt embarrassing and hopeless.

There is a lot of creepy moments to keep the reader engaged and turning pages.

How would you feel moving to a house with a creepy mulberry tree in the yard. What if this tree had a creepy story about abducting little girls? I love Immy’s character. She is determined to right some wrongs on her own.

The author writes with style and grace. She pushes the story forward with ease and keeps it moving with a strong fluidity. She is brilliant with the plot careful to wrap everything up nice at the end. There’s enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing about the ending and plenty of tension to keep the reader engaged along the way.

The tree itself holds a “rooted” stronghold on a village based on fear of the unknown. The main character is determined to resolve this hold with truth. It’s amazing how the truths were unraveled and answers were brought about.

I love this book.

I gave it: