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It Came from the Trees
The legend of Bigfoot gets a bone-chilling update in this scary story about a young girl and her scout troop who are willing to brave the woods to find her missing friend when no one else will. Perfect for fans of Daka Hermon and Claribel A. Ortega!
The wilderness is in Jenna’s blood. Her Pap was the first Black park ranger at Sturbridge Reservation, and she practically knows the Owlet Survival Handbook by heart. But she’s never encountered a creature like the one that took her best friend Reese. Her parents don’t believe her; the police are worthless, following the wrong leads; and the media isn’t connecting the dots between Reese’s disappearance and a string of other attacks. Determined to save her friend, Jenna joins a new local scout troop, and ventures back into the woods.
When the troop stumbles across suspicious huge human-like footprints near the camp, scratch marks on trees, and ominous sounds from the woods, Jenna worries that whatever took Reese is back to take her too. Can she trust her new scout leader? And will her new friend Norrie—who makes her laugh and reminds her so much of Reese—believe her?
After the unthinkable happens, the scouts, armed with their wits and toiletries, band together to fight the monster and survive the night.
The wilderness is in Jenna’s blood. Her Pap was the first Black park ranger at Sturbridge Reservation, and she practically knows the Owlet Survival Handbook by heart. But she’s never encountered a creature like the one that took her best friend Reese. Her parents don’t believe her; the police are worthless, following the wrong leads; and the media isn’t connecting the dots between Reese’s disappearance and a string of other attacks. Determined to save her friend, Jenna joins a new local scout troop, and ventures back into the woods.
When the troop stumbles across suspicious huge human-like footprints near the camp, scratch marks on trees, and ominous sounds from the woods, Jenna worries that whatever took Reese is back to take her too. Can she trust her new scout leader? And will her new friend Norrie—who makes her laugh and reminds her so much of Reese—believe her?
After the unthinkable happens, the scouts, armed with their wits and toiletries, band together to fight the monster and survive the night.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published July 30, 2024
54 people are currently reading
1960 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
February 19, 2024
Of course I had to immediately jump into this book as soon as it showed up yesterday! And friends if you can relate to the following, you need to buy this book for yourself & a young reader:
—You love the outdoors but hate at least
100 things about nature
—Going to the bathroom in the middle of the night while camping is a big no
—Telling ghost stories around a bonfire with s'mores is the best part of adventuring
—You have fond memories of camping with siblings, friends, or schoolmates
—Adults never believe kids when
something crazy is happening!
—You could be brave for a best friend that needs you
—Urban Legends and "don't go in the woods" are favorite horror tropes
—You love a strong female protagonist
I loved this book and I'm so proud of Ally! I hope we get more adventures and stories from her in the future
on sale this
summer July 30th, 2024
—You love the outdoors but hate at least
100 things about nature
—Going to the bathroom in the middle of the night while camping is a big no
—Telling ghost stories around a bonfire with s'mores is the best part of adventuring
—You have fond memories of camping with siblings, friends, or schoolmates
—Adults never believe kids when
something crazy is happening!
—You could be brave for a best friend that needs you
—Urban Legends and "don't go in the woods" are favorite horror tropes
—You love a strong female protagonist
I loved this book and I'm so proud of Ally! I hope we get more adventures and stories from her in the future
on sale this
summer July 30th, 2024
September 25, 2024
The pacing is a bit off, with most of the action crammed into the final quarter, and there's less about the cryptid than I expected, but I still enjoyed it. Character development is good, just pick this up expecting a Girl Being Brave story and not a monster horror.
July 30, 2024
“They say something lives out here. Some people call it a man. Some people call it a monster. Some people call it…the Beast of Backcountry.”
After having her best friend Reese snatched away in the night during a camping trip, Owlet scout Jenna swears the culprit was neither man nor animal but instead something big, monstrous, and terrifying. The adults in her life don’t believe her and authorities decide Reese might have simply run away. But Jenna refuses to accept her friend’s disappearance. Being the brave and resourceful granddaughter of the county’s first Black park ranger, Jenna is familiar with nature, and so decides to go back into the wilderness with her fellow Troop 411 girl scouts in hopes of secretly finding her friend. But the creature responsible for Reese’s disappearance never left the wilderness and might be on the hunt for more tasty girl scouts.
This is middle grade horror with plenty of ingredients for a compelling read and a good summer scare—cryptids, the wilderness at night, missing persons, a clever young black female protagonist and so much more! Plus readers get excerpts from newspaper articles, police transcripts, survival guide handbook tips, and blog entries! (I personally LOVED that!)
Author Ally Russell drew story inspiration from the pairing of her love of cryptids and the unknown with her fear of the great outdoors and it is evident on every page.
Similarly to the way R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps haunts the memory of so many nostalgic Millennials, It Came From the Trees will leave a lasting and frightfully fun impression on its young readers of today!
After having her best friend Reese snatched away in the night during a camping trip, Owlet scout Jenna swears the culprit was neither man nor animal but instead something big, monstrous, and terrifying. The adults in her life don’t believe her and authorities decide Reese might have simply run away. But Jenna refuses to accept her friend’s disappearance. Being the brave and resourceful granddaughter of the county’s first Black park ranger, Jenna is familiar with nature, and so decides to go back into the wilderness with her fellow Troop 411 girl scouts in hopes of secretly finding her friend. But the creature responsible for Reese’s disappearance never left the wilderness and might be on the hunt for more tasty girl scouts.
This is middle grade horror with plenty of ingredients for a compelling read and a good summer scare—cryptids, the wilderness at night, missing persons, a clever young black female protagonist and so much more! Plus readers get excerpts from newspaper articles, police transcripts, survival guide handbook tips, and blog entries! (I personally LOVED that!)
Author Ally Russell drew story inspiration from the pairing of her love of cryptids and the unknown with her fear of the great outdoors and it is evident on every page.
Similarly to the way R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps haunts the memory of so many nostalgic Millennials, It Came From the Trees will leave a lasting and frightfully fun impression on its young readers of today!
November 11, 2024
This had a few pacing issues, but goodness gracious there were moments when I was truly terrified.
May 31, 2025
It Came from the Trees is a genuinely frightening tale of survival. It's also emotionally wrought as it sensitively but frankly depicts Jenna's suffering after the disappearance of her friend. Bigfoot is absolutely horrific in this book. I felt like I was in the forest with a monster stalking me along with the girls. It also shows a spotlight on structural racism which serves to allow black children to fall through the tracks, leaving them vulnerable and unsafe. It Came from the Trees is a phenomenal debut novel that offers legitimate horror as well as emotional tension from beginning to end. Ally Russell did a lot of lifting in this novel, and did it very successfully. She has brought a higher level of terror and relevance to the Bigfoot legend for a postmillennial audience.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
April 30, 2025
Description:
The wilderness is in Jenna’s blood. Her Pap was the first Black park ranger at Sturbridge Reservation, and she practically knows the Owlet Survival Handbook by heart. But she’s never encountered a creature like the one that took her best friend Reese. Her parents don’t believe her; the police are worthless, following the wrong leads; and the media isn’t connecting the dots between Reese’s disappearance and a string of other attacks. Determined to save her friend, Jenna joins a new local scout troop, and ventures back into the woods.
When the troop stumbles across suspicious signs: huge human-like footprints near the camp, scratch marks on trees, and ominous sounds from the woods, Jenna worries that whatever took Reese is back to take her too. Can she trust her new scout leader? And will her new friend Norrie—who makes her laugh and reminds her so much of Reese—believe her?
After the unthinkable happens, the scouts, armed with their wits and toiletries, band together to fight the monster and survive the night.
Review:
This coming of age story is perfect for children and adults alike. Some of the lessons learned: You’re never too young (or old) to learn the lesson of true friendship, that it’s okay to make new friends, and it’s okay to be scared, just never give up when you know you’re right. We should all be as loyal as a ten year old to her best friend. Highly recommend!
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Random House Children for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.
Published: 07/30/2024
The wilderness is in Jenna’s blood. Her Pap was the first Black park ranger at Sturbridge Reservation, and she practically knows the Owlet Survival Handbook by heart. But she’s never encountered a creature like the one that took her best friend Reese. Her parents don’t believe her; the police are worthless, following the wrong leads; and the media isn’t connecting the dots between Reese’s disappearance and a string of other attacks. Determined to save her friend, Jenna joins a new local scout troop, and ventures back into the woods.
When the troop stumbles across suspicious signs: huge human-like footprints near the camp, scratch marks on trees, and ominous sounds from the woods, Jenna worries that whatever took Reese is back to take her too. Can she trust her new scout leader? And will her new friend Norrie—who makes her laugh and reminds her so much of Reese—believe her?
After the unthinkable happens, the scouts, armed with their wits and toiletries, band together to fight the monster and survive the night.
Review:
This coming of age story is perfect for children and adults alike. Some of the lessons learned: You’re never too young (or old) to learn the lesson of true friendship, that it’s okay to make new friends, and it’s okay to be scared, just never give up when you know you’re right. We should all be as loyal as a ten year old to her best friend. Highly recommend!
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Random House Children for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.
Published: 07/30/2024
February 26, 2024
This is a good one for middle grade horror fans. Just enough scary stuff to make your palms sweat and get your heart pumping. The setting is perfect: a scout troop on a multi-day hiking trip, and the girls aren’t expected back for at least another day….
Jenna, the main character, is a great example of facing your fears, and she goes back into the woods to help her missing friend. I won’t say she’s entirely smart about it (she is only 11, after all 😆), but she has good intentions and a LOT of courage. Me? I would probably never leave my house again if I were in Jenna’s slightly-too-small hiking boots.
This is author Ally Russell’s debut novel, and I look forward to reading what she comes up with next!
Thank you as always to NetGalley, Random House Children’s and Delacorte Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Jenna, the main character, is a great example of facing your fears, and she goes back into the woods to help her missing friend. I won’t say she’s entirely smart about it (she is only 11, after all 😆), but she has good intentions and a LOT of courage. Me? I would probably never leave my house again if I were in Jenna’s slightly-too-small hiking boots.
This is author Ally Russell’s debut novel, and I look forward to reading what she comes up with next!
Thank you as always to NetGalley, Random House Children’s and Delacorte Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 8, 2024
There is so much to love in this book. While it's a middle grade novel, it's plenty spooky. The characters have depth, particularly Jenna, and the story is effortlessly inclusive. Much of the horror, of course, focus on the thing in the woods, but the novel also takes time to point out human horrors as well. These range from racist persons in authority and how that can play out down the line, the pain of not being believed, creepy too interested people, a community's need to sweep uncomfortable things under the rug, and so on. These work very well just as part of the story, but can also be interesting talking points for parents and peers.
The book is truly just so recommendable.
I particularly loved how Jenna isn't secretly a middle school action star. She's incredibly capable and knowledgeable, but she's also someone who freezes with danger. She feels guilt and terror and is so mistrustful as she ventures back in the woods with a plan to save her best friend. And there she learns to work with her fear and to overcome the isolation caused by the earlier events.
I was moved multiple times during the book -- particularly the final confrontation that is full of my absolute favorite story beats.
I cannot wait to see what Russell writes next!
The book is truly just so recommendable.
I particularly loved how Jenna isn't secretly a middle school action star. She's incredibly capable and knowledgeable, but she's also someone who freezes with danger. She feels guilt and terror and is so mistrustful as she ventures back in the woods with a plan to save her best friend. And there she learns to work with her fear and to overcome the isolation caused by the earlier events.
I was moved multiple times during the book -- particularly the final confrontation that is full of my absolute favorite story beats.
I cannot wait to see what Russell writes next!
September 22, 2024
4.25*
I really enjoyed this children's cryptoid, wilderness, mild horror book. I thought it was tense and when I wasn't reading it I was constantly thinking about how Jenna, the MC, would find her captured best friend. I thought this had some proper spine tingling scenes from the creepy guy in a pickup to the first sinister scout troop as well as the "monster" itself. As I would expect from a great kids book, this had some good goodies and some bad baddies and I think this would be an amazing read to pass on to those kids in your life who are just weird enough to be on the right path to horror. It may, however, lead them into joining a local scout group or requests to go camping.
I really enjoyed this children's cryptoid, wilderness, mild horror book. I thought it was tense and when I wasn't reading it I was constantly thinking about how Jenna, the MC, would find her captured best friend. I thought this had some proper spine tingling scenes from the creepy guy in a pickup to the first sinister scout troop as well as the "monster" itself. As I would expect from a great kids book, this had some good goodies and some bad baddies and I think this would be an amazing read to pass on to those kids in your life who are just weird enough to be on the right path to horror. It may, however, lead them into joining a local scout group or requests to go camping.
August 25, 2024
Goosebumps for the modern era - I inhaled this one in a day!
February 27, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This was such a well done middle grade book. With messages of friendship, trust, and finding courage when you’re scared. I loved Jenna and her character development was done so well. Her determination in such a scary situation was admirable. I don’t think I would have that courage at 11. I also appreciated the talk about micro aggressions from the camp counselor and how messed up the things she said was, but they still said to let an adult handle it. That’s good advice.
There was also a bit more gore and scary bits than I expected. I guess horror for kids is more and more popular! This is a short book, so we don’t get a lot about the monster. I wish we could have learned something about it.
There’s so much to take from this book and from the dedication at the beginning I loved it. Hoping for more from this author in the future!!
This was such a well done middle grade book. With messages of friendship, trust, and finding courage when you’re scared. I loved Jenna and her character development was done so well. Her determination in such a scary situation was admirable. I don’t think I would have that courage at 11. I also appreciated the talk about micro aggressions from the camp counselor and how messed up the things she said was, but they still said to let an adult handle it. That’s good advice.
There was also a bit more gore and scary bits than I expected. I guess horror for kids is more and more popular! This is a short book, so we don’t get a lot about the monster. I wish we could have learned something about it.
There’s so much to take from this book and from the dedication at the beginning I loved it. Hoping for more from this author in the future!!
July 23, 2024
This is a super cute, whip smart middle grade novel featuring:
-ride or die BFFs that never give up
-an extremely lovely grandfather-grandaughter relationship
-camping in the woods with both terrible (racist) adults but then also some badass adults who LISTEN
-teamwork making the dream work
-BIGFOOT??!
All in all, it’s a super fun ride featuring friendships, family, and standing up for what you know is true, even when those closets to you might not quite believe you. Highly recommend for all public library collections!
-ride or die BFFs that never give up
-an extremely lovely grandfather-grandaughter relationship
-camping in the woods with both terrible (racist) adults but then also some badass adults who LISTEN
-teamwork making the dream work
-BIGFOOT??!
All in all, it’s a super fun ride featuring friendships, family, and standing up for what you know is true, even when those closets to you might not quite believe you. Highly recommend for all public library collections!
May 27, 2025
A good, creepy story! I enjoyed reading about these campers in the woods, being confronted by an unnatural creature and banding together to get out alive. The pacing was good and the various online posts and news stories at the beginnings of the chapters were a fun addition.
September 23, 2025
Decent.
July 20, 2024
It Came From the Trees is the debut middle reader horror novel from author Ally Russell. As someone that loves middle grade horror, I'm always excited to read new books but when a book touches on important topics like racism and the representation of African Americans in the great outdoors/National Parks, and still offers the chills, I'm ecstatic.
Our story is a great mystery with plenty of goosebumps to go around but what was so well-done were the relationships that Jenna forms and the strength and determination of Jenna and her campmates. Jenna was an excellent character and I'm so excited for my middle readers to get ahold of this book. They are going to love it!
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy to review.
Our story is a great mystery with plenty of goosebumps to go around but what was so well-done were the relationships that Jenna forms and the strength and determination of Jenna and her campmates. Jenna was an excellent character and I'm so excited for my middle readers to get ahold of this book. They are going to love it!
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy to review.
August 26, 2024
Thank you for writing smart young women! I cared so much about this scout troop. The way they came together to survive the night made me so happy. We get a really fun creature feature while also having some amazing commentary and character development. The scenes with Bigfoot are spooky and action packed. The pacing was A+. Very glad the creature is brought in right off the bat! I don’t have anything bad to say. It’s a great summer to spooky season read!
November 21, 2024
I’m always a BIG fan of a good middle grade story and even more so when you make it spooky! I loved this story from start to finish, it was the perfect mix of spooky and heartwarming. You know it’s good when it warms my cold, black heart! Kidding aside, this story is really fantastic. It’s got heart and it’s got scares and it’s got cryptids and it’s got diversity. I’m not sure what more you can ask for! I really can’t recommend this one highly enough, both for adults and younger readers.
August 8, 2024
For a middle-grade novel shorter than 300 pages, It Came from the Trees was surprisingly thrilling and made me more than a little reluctant to read it alone at night near an open window with the woods looming nearby. This novel opens with two middle school girls, Jenna and Reese, out on a camping camp when Reese is suddenly snatched from their shared tent by a large creature. After Reese’s abduction, Jenna is frustrated no one seems to believe the fabled “Beast of Backcountry” (aka Bigfoot) is responsible for taking her friend and decides to take matters into her own hands. She convinces her mom to let her join the Owlet Scouts who are hiking in a similar area, with the intention of leaving clues, snacks, and supplies for Reese, who she believes may still be alive. However, as the sun sets on her first day in the woods Jenna discovers the creature may now be tracking her…
Where were these kinds of books when I was 12? I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of spooky middle-grade novels released over the last five years or so, and I am so here for it. Jenna is a very strong-headed main character who is very loyal to her friends, evidenced by her willingness to look for Reese in the very same woods where she encountered the unknown creature. I would love to read more books featuring her, maybe coming face-to-face with other cryptids on her adventures. Despite being such a short book, she undergoes a fairly significant amount of character development as she wrestles with the loss of her friend and the blame she feels for not doing more to help. Additionally, the descriptions of the noises and scents detected by Jenna inside the fragile walls of a tent were truly terrifying as the creature returned to stalk her. The coyote scene reminded me of something found in an adult horror novel, it was that startling.
There is no better setting to curl up with this book than in a flimsy tent in the woods, while listening to the wildlife and other sounds of nature. Did someone step on a stick outside or am I imagining things?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Where were these kinds of books when I was 12? I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of spooky middle-grade novels released over the last five years or so, and I am so here for it. Jenna is a very strong-headed main character who is very loyal to her friends, evidenced by her willingness to look for Reese in the very same woods where she encountered the unknown creature. I would love to read more books featuring her, maybe coming face-to-face with other cryptids on her adventures. Despite being such a short book, she undergoes a fairly significant amount of character development as she wrestles with the loss of her friend and the blame she feels for not doing more to help. Additionally, the descriptions of the noises and scents detected by Jenna inside the fragile walls of a tent were truly terrifying as the creature returned to stalk her. The coyote scene reminded me of something found in an adult horror novel, it was that startling.
There is no better setting to curl up with this book than in a flimsy tent in the woods, while listening to the wildlife and other sounds of nature. Did someone step on a stick outside or am I imagining things?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2024
It Came from the Trees is a terrifying read from start to finish, easily one of the scariest novels for children I've ever read. About a scout trooper searching for her best friend who was abducted by a cryptid-like Bigfoot monster, the book starts strong and continues developing its tension and dread until the last couple of chapters.
Russell's understanding of tension and terror is strong enough to sell the book, but the novel is more than just spooky. It develops a great sense of found family dynamics, centering on the communicability of experience and the importance of being heard and validated. In most children's literature, I look for the developmental threads that speak directly to kids and their experiences; that's often the hallmark for what makes a middle grade book good in my experience. Russell seems to understand the importance of finding that message, but she does so without ever condescending to her reader or making the book into a coded lecture.
Yet there are still excellent messages coded into the book. It explores the frustration of being a kid and seeing figures of authority dismiss your experience on account of your age and your ability to account for it. It explores the way black and brown kids are so commonly marginalized by those with authority. And it explores how important finding your community is, of pursuing your interests, and how sometimes the key to moving through trauma is to confront your fear.
It Came from the Trees is perfect summer reading, made for flashlights and s'mores, but also cognizant of treating its audience seriously and delivering on both the scares and deeper meaning.
Disclosure Statement: I received an advanced copy of the novel from the publisher in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions in this review are entirely my own and have not been influenced by either the publisher or the author in any way.
Russell's understanding of tension and terror is strong enough to sell the book, but the novel is more than just spooky. It develops a great sense of found family dynamics, centering on the communicability of experience and the importance of being heard and validated. In most children's literature, I look for the developmental threads that speak directly to kids and their experiences; that's often the hallmark for what makes a middle grade book good in my experience. Russell seems to understand the importance of finding that message, but she does so without ever condescending to her reader or making the book into a coded lecture.
Yet there are still excellent messages coded into the book. It explores the frustration of being a kid and seeing figures of authority dismiss your experience on account of your age and your ability to account for it. It explores the way black and brown kids are so commonly marginalized by those with authority. And it explores how important finding your community is, of pursuing your interests, and how sometimes the key to moving through trauma is to confront your fear.
It Came from the Trees is perfect summer reading, made for flashlights and s'mores, but also cognizant of treating its audience seriously and delivering on both the scares and deeper meaning.
Disclosure Statement: I received an advanced copy of the novel from the publisher in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions in this review are entirely my own and have not been influenced by either the publisher or the author in any way.
July 9, 2024
It Came from the Trees by Ally Russell presents a compelling mix of wilderness adventure and supernatural mystery. The protagonist, Jenna, is a standout character with her deep connection to the wilderness and her unwavering determination to find her missing friend, Reese. Her backstory, with a grandfather who was the first Black park ranger at Sturbridge Reservation, adds depth and richness to her character. However, the plot occasionally feels disjointed, with the adults in her life, including her parents and the police, appearing frustratingly ineffective, which can be a bit exasperating for readers.
The middle section of the book picks up the pace as Jenna joins a local scout troop and heads back into the woods, where the suspense heightens. The discovery of large human-like footprints and strange sounds in the forest builds a palpable sense of dread. Yet, the interactions within the scout troop sometimes feel underdeveloped. The bond between Jenna and her new friend Norrie, while promising, lacks the emotional depth that could have made their relationship more impactful.
The climax, where the scouts face the creature, offers a mix of action and tension. The use of their survival skills, combined with everyday items like toiletries, adds a creative twist. However, the resolution feels a bit rushed and leaves some questions unanswered. While the book has moments of genuine suspense and a strong lead character, it doesn't fully realize its potential, making it an enjoyable but somewhat uneven read.
The middle section of the book picks up the pace as Jenna joins a local scout troop and heads back into the woods, where the suspense heightens. The discovery of large human-like footprints and strange sounds in the forest builds a palpable sense of dread. Yet, the interactions within the scout troop sometimes feel underdeveloped. The bond between Jenna and her new friend Norrie, while promising, lacks the emotional depth that could have made their relationship more impactful.
The climax, where the scouts face the creature, offers a mix of action and tension. The use of their survival skills, combined with everyday items like toiletries, adds a creative twist. However, the resolution feels a bit rushed and leaves some questions unanswered. While the book has moments of genuine suspense and a strong lead character, it doesn't fully realize its potential, making it an enjoyable but somewhat uneven read.
February 28, 2024
I LOVE middle grade horror books, and It Came From The Trees was absolutely delightful.
This one is perfect for fans of everything outdoors and cryptids.
Jenna, the main character, is so strong and determined and a friend that anyone would be lucky to have. I loved how friendship was such a big theme throughout this book.
I feel like I say this anytime I review a scary MG book, but these books just really know how to play into our childhood fears. There were quite a few moments that had me on edge.
This one is perfect for fans of everything outdoors and cryptids.
Jenna, the main character, is so strong and determined and a friend that anyone would be lucky to have. I loved how friendship was such a big theme throughout this book.
I feel like I say this anytime I review a scary MG book, but these books just really know how to play into our childhood fears. There were quite a few moments that had me on edge.
August 3, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up.
Whew. This got my heart racing at the end.
This mythological Native American creature turned real for a second, and it petrified me. The author had no intentions of making this creature friendly.
Excellent story filled with many life lessons teenagers will need.
Whew. This got my heart racing at the end.
This mythological Native American creature turned real for a second, and it petrified me. The author had no intentions of making this creature friendly.
Excellent story filled with many life lessons teenagers will need.
July 8, 2025
This was such an unexpected read for me. I found it on my public library’s list of available audiobooks and had no prior background on what i was getting myself into. I was pleasantly surprised! It was a quick read and as someone that doesn’t read a lot of “spooky” books this was great and has made me curious about the authors other books that ill definitely check out and the genre in general. I also love a good book about girlhood 🩷
December 4, 2024
There's a special in my heart for middle grade horror done well and It Came From The Trees delivers! This book has plenty of scary (but also age-appropriate) suspense and problem-solving, with a wonderful development of friendships. I hope we get more brown girls as MG protagonists! This was fantastic!
October 1, 2024
Middle Grade cryptid horror?! At a camp!? SAY NO MORE!
This was a perfect book to cap of summer with and usher in the fall season. I loved it!
This was a perfect book to cap of summer with and usher in the fall season. I loved it!
May 23, 2025
Fantastic book. A great story with strong female characters. This would make a good film I think.
July 7, 2025
Decent summertime mid-grade thriller. I enjoyed Black girls camping & I’m always here for a creature feature.
October 14, 2024
I received this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
One of my anticipated reads of 2024 and BOY did it deliver!
😍 I mean right from the start it got scary. The girls (our MC and her best friend Reese) are having an OK time hiking in a new scout group (sadly with a lot of cliques and a racist (as I would call her) group leader), and then something is rustling. Something is watching. The birds and the animals go silent. And then there is the first time our MC sees the big monster. Who looks like a human, is it big foot? Is it something else? It just stares. Silently. Waiting. And I knew that this book would get hecka scary.
😍 And then it is a few moments of bliss before the night-time terror starts and Reese is snatched away. Boy, those parts were just terrifying. Thanks for the nightmares dear author. XD
😍 While it was a bit much, I did love the determination of our MC to try and help out her friend. From finding a new troop who would hike near the location to making food bags and tagging trees with pink chalk to make sure her friend may be able to find her way back. That is just great friendship right there. Most people would just be like, heck no I am not going back to that place of doom and scary tall big foot like monsters, but she was determined.
😍 The monster stalking the new troop and always being near? Making noises? And even doing THAT (no, I am not spoiling it, but if you read it, you will understand)? That was just epically written and terrifying as well. You never know exactly when he will strike. He is getting closer. And closer….
😍 I just loved it when Mel did story time around the campfire. I wasn’t there physically, but hot dang, even reading it was scary. I could just hear her voice. That creepy one. The one that makes your skin crawl.
😍 I was so happy when Jenna started opening up to her troop, told her story, started making friendships.
😍 I loved the friendship between Reese, but also with Norrie!
😍 The last bit with the troop decided to hold down the fort and kick some monster butt. Many books like this will have everyone in great panic and just running around. But in this one the troop bonded and they get together to figure out a way to be save in the night and make sure to make it to the morning. I was just cheering, rooting, almost screaming when the monster appeared and things got very scary!
😍 Oh, and what happens next. I did NOT expect that, but I love every bit of it.
😍 Bonus points for the cover which is just way way too good and gives you immediately the vibes of the book. There is something lurking… behind you. Closer. Closer.
😍 Extra points to Pap who listened to his granddaughter and who also told her stories and that he understood. He was a great support for Jenna. Because her mom? She didn’t believe a word.
😍 The newspapers/podcast/forum/etc. and Owlet guidebook pages between chapters were just an A-plus addition to the book. I especially loved those newspapers/podcast/etc. stuff because it gave more insight on what was going on in regards to Reese, but also to whatever lurked in the woods. You would think that given all the stories the police would start taking things more seriously.
🤔 While I love the last news article and what news it brought… I think I would have liked an epilogue after that one. Just a bit more closure. Now this one felt more like an afterthought and that was just a shame.
🤔 While I did get why our MC was acting towards the new scout group the way she did in the beginning… I also didn’t like it. She was just so rude. I get that you have a mission. I get that you don’t want to make new friends while your bestie is maybe somewhere in the wild. But you could have at least been friendly. As the story continued she opened up more, but in those start-bits? I wanted to shake her.
🤔 And there were the standard dumb horror decisions/things happening. Like, oh hey, there is a strange hut and some weird smell, let’s investigate. NOPE. You run. That is what you do.
🤔 Maybe because I am an adult now, I really would like a time machine to see how younger me is about these things, but I am getting tired of the adults don’t believe stuff unless they really see it happen. It just makes my eyes roll.
But despite those things I had a lot of fun reading this one, it was a great one. Lots of spooky moments. Some more scary moments that had me want to hide somewhere. This is definitely a book I would recommend for Spooktober/Halloween!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
One of my anticipated reads of 2024 and BOY did it deliver!
😍 I mean right from the start it got scary. The girls (our MC and her best friend Reese) are having an OK time hiking in a new scout group (sadly with a lot of cliques and a racist (as I would call her) group leader), and then something is rustling. Something is watching. The birds and the animals go silent. And then there is the first time our MC sees the big monster. Who looks like a human, is it big foot? Is it something else? It just stares. Silently. Waiting. And I knew that this book would get hecka scary.
😍 And then it is a few moments of bliss before the night-time terror starts and Reese is snatched away. Boy, those parts were just terrifying. Thanks for the nightmares dear author. XD
😍 While it was a bit much, I did love the determination of our MC to try and help out her friend. From finding a new troop who would hike near the location to making food bags and tagging trees with pink chalk to make sure her friend may be able to find her way back. That is just great friendship right there. Most people would just be like, heck no I am not going back to that place of doom and scary tall big foot like monsters, but she was determined.
😍 The monster stalking the new troop and always being near? Making noises? And even doing THAT (no, I am not spoiling it, but if you read it, you will understand)? That was just epically written and terrifying as well. You never know exactly when he will strike. He is getting closer. And closer….
😍 I just loved it when Mel did story time around the campfire. I wasn’t there physically, but hot dang, even reading it was scary. I could just hear her voice. That creepy one. The one that makes your skin crawl.
😍 I was so happy when Jenna started opening up to her troop, told her story, started making friendships.
😍 I loved the friendship between Reese, but also with Norrie!
😍 The last bit with the troop decided to hold down the fort and kick some monster butt. Many books like this will have everyone in great panic and just running around. But in this one the troop bonded and they get together to figure out a way to be save in the night and make sure to make it to the morning. I was just cheering, rooting, almost screaming when the monster appeared and things got very scary!
😍 Oh, and what happens next. I did NOT expect that, but I love every bit of it.
😍 Bonus points for the cover which is just way way too good and gives you immediately the vibes of the book. There is something lurking… behind you. Closer. Closer.
😍 Extra points to Pap who listened to his granddaughter and who also told her stories and that he understood. He was a great support for Jenna. Because her mom? She didn’t believe a word.
😍 The newspapers/podcast/forum/etc. and Owlet guidebook pages between chapters were just an A-plus addition to the book. I especially loved those newspapers/podcast/etc. stuff because it gave more insight on what was going on in regards to Reese, but also to whatever lurked in the woods. You would think that given all the stories the police would start taking things more seriously.
🤔 While I love the last news article and what news it brought… I think I would have liked an epilogue after that one. Just a bit more closure. Now this one felt more like an afterthought and that was just a shame.
🤔 While I did get why our MC was acting towards the new scout group the way she did in the beginning… I also didn’t like it. She was just so rude. I get that you have a mission. I get that you don’t want to make new friends while your bestie is maybe somewhere in the wild. But you could have at least been friendly. As the story continued she opened up more, but in those start-bits? I wanted to shake her.
🤔 And there were the standard dumb horror decisions/things happening. Like, oh hey, there is a strange hut and some weird smell, let’s investigate. NOPE. You run. That is what you do.
🤔 Maybe because I am an adult now, I really would like a time machine to see how younger me is about these things, but I am getting tired of the adults don’t believe stuff unless they really see it happen. It just makes my eyes roll.
But despite those things I had a lot of fun reading this one, it was a great one. Lots of spooky moments. Some more scary moments that had me want to hide somewhere. This is definitely a book I would recommend for Spooktober/Halloween!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
May 6, 2024
This was a fun and creepy middle grade novel. The main character had a strong presence! I loved the friendships that were presented through the story. There were definitely some creepy parts which will work great for kids who like scary campfire stories! There were some parts where the pacing was a little slower, especially for someone who isn’t super outdoorsy, however I think this will go over really well for kids who love camping and cryptids!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
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