However, the reality is that children do frequently have to deal with death in their own lives, whether we like it or not, so addressing the topic in a book for this age level does not feel inappropriate to me. Some readers will appreciate the book and some will not, and parents/educators can feel free to make judgments about that for individual readers. I’m not going to get into any arguments about whether a book about death is “too dark” for middle grade. However, I realized quickly while reading Skeleton Tree that basically none of this is the point the real story is about family relationships and dealing with a terminal illness. The book itself even takes place around Halloween and features a Halloween party. I originally wanted to read this book in October because it seems like an appropriate Halloween read after all, there’s a mysterious skeleton growing in two kids’ backyard, which may or may not have nefarious intentions. As Merin gets sicker and sicker, however, Stanly begins to wonder if the mysterious skeleton isn’t more of a curse than a blessing. The skeleton is also apparently his younger sister Merin’s new best friend, able to make her laugh when nothing else can. However, Miren is desperate not to lose her friend, forcing Stanly to question everything he's ever believed about life, love, and the mysterious forces that connect us.When Stanly discovers the skeleton growing in his yard, he knows immediately that he has the perfect entry for the Young Discover’s Competition. When Miren starts to grow sick, Stanly suspects that the skeleton is responsible and does everything in his power to drive the creature away. Mischievous Miren adopts the skeleton as a friend, and soon, the two become inseparable playmates. There's just one person who doesn't find any of this weird - Stanly's little sister. Even stranger, it seems to be growing into a full skeleton. With such a unique find, he's sure to win the grand prize.īut, oddly, the bone doesn't appear in any photos. Twelve-year-old Stanly knows the bone is a little weird, but that's okay, because now he'll have the perfect photo to submit to the Young Discoverer's Competition.
and the power of friendship to transcend them all. A staggering debut that will forever change the way you think about life, hope, death.
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