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Sidhe: The Alphabet of the Trees
A sidhe is a fairy mound that acts as a portal between two worlds. One of these ancient Irish openings is explored by Diedre, a fourteen-year-old American who is visiting Ireland, the home of her mother, just after the death of her grandmother. The Alphabet of the Trees centers on Deidre's quest to find answers to her heritage. This leads her into a web of intrigue, as well as a place to mourn the loss of her mother's mother, and to find herself in places with wide-reaching implications. Deidre begins to understand her own place within her family, and of the Irish folk culture that is rich in the notions of identity, belief, and love in its various forms. This timeless story takes Diedre from New York City to Ireland. Sometimes she is in pre-Celtic Eire, or sliding through the timeless wind of a sidhe, or perhaps she is at the castle of the great king of Ulster, or scrambling through the world of the Aine in Limerick or Cliodna of Cork. Join Diedre as she tries to solve the ancient story of the sidhe, its riddle and its promise. About the Shari Schultz is a retired alternative education social studies teacher. She is motivated to write because, "One of the most difficult things as a teacher has been finding material to work with in the classroom. If you ever see a child, look him/her in the eye and smile. Remember that may be the only bit of happiness they see all day." Publisher's
146 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 12, 2026
SIDHE: The Alphabet of the Trees is a reflective and culturally rich novel that thoughtfully intertwines Irish mythology with a young girl’s search for identity. Shari Schultz approaches the story with a clear respect for folklore, using ancient legend not merely as backdrop, but as an essential thread in Deidre’s emotional and spiritual journey.
Following the death of her grandmother, Deidre’s trip to Ireland becomes more than a visit to her mother’s homeland, it becomes an awakening. Through the mystery of the sidhe, she is drawn into a space where time feels fluid and the boundary between history and myth dissolves. The transitions between present-day Ireland and pre-Celtic Éire create a sense of depth that elevates the narrative beyond a simple fantasy adventure.
What makes this book compelling is its thematic focus. It explores grief with sensitivity, heritage with reverence, and adolescence with honesty. Deidre’s internal growth is gradual and believable, making her journey feel authentic rather than exaggerated. The mythological references, Áine, Cliodna, the ancient kings of Ulster, add texture and atmosphere while reinforcing the novel’s central message about connection to ancestry and culture.
This is not a loud or heavily action-driven fantasy. Instead, it is contemplative and immersive, inviting readers to slow down and absorb the symbolism woven throughout the story. Readers who appreciate folklore, literary fantasy, and narratives centered on personal discovery will find much to admire here.
Overall, SIDHE: The Alphabet of the Trees offers a meaningful exploration of heritage and belonging, framed within the enduring magic of Irish myth. It is a story that honors the past while illuminating a young protagonist’s path toward understanding herself.
February 12, 2026
Sidhe: The Alphabet of the Trees is a thoughtful and quietly immersive journey into Irish mythology, heritage, and self-discovery. Shari Schultz weaves folklore and emotional depth into a story that feels both intimate and timeless.
At the heart of the novel is Deidre, a fourteen-year-old American girl navigating grief after the loss of her grandmother while visiting Ireland, her mother’s homeland. What begins as a personal search for connection gradually unfolds into something far more expansive. Through the mystical sidh,ancient fairy mounds that serve as portals between world,Deidre moves between present-day Ireland and the mythic landscapes of pre-Celtic Éire, encountering legendary figures and ancient stories that shape her understanding of identity, belief, and belonging.
Schultz handles Irish folklore with clear respect and care, allowing the mythology to breathe rather than overwhelming the narrative. The magical elements are layered gently into the story, creating a reflective tone rather than fast-paced fantasy spectacle. This makes the book particularly strong as a coming-of-age tale; the magic serves the emotional journey rather than overshadowing it.
What stands out most is the thematic richness. The novel explores grief, family lineage, cultural inheritance, and the quiet strength found in understanding where one comes from. Deidre’s journey is as much about mourning and healing as it is about unraveling ancient riddles. Readers who appreciate folklore-driven fantasy with heart and introspection will find much to admire here.
Sidhe: The Alphabet of the Trees is a meaningful blend of myth and memory, a story that invites readers to consider the unseen threads connecting past and present.
At the heart of the novel is Deidre, a fourteen-year-old American girl navigating grief after the loss of her grandmother while visiting Ireland, her mother’s homeland. What begins as a personal search for connection gradually unfolds into something far more expansive. Through the mystical sidh,ancient fairy mounds that serve as portals between world,Deidre moves between present-day Ireland and the mythic landscapes of pre-Celtic Éire, encountering legendary figures and ancient stories that shape her understanding of identity, belief, and belonging.
Schultz handles Irish folklore with clear respect and care, allowing the mythology to breathe rather than overwhelming the narrative. The magical elements are layered gently into the story, creating a reflective tone rather than fast-paced fantasy spectacle. This makes the book particularly strong as a coming-of-age tale; the magic serves the emotional journey rather than overshadowing it.
What stands out most is the thematic richness. The novel explores grief, family lineage, cultural inheritance, and the quiet strength found in understanding where one comes from. Deidre’s journey is as much about mourning and healing as it is about unraveling ancient riddles. Readers who appreciate folklore-driven fantasy with heart and introspection will find much to admire here.
Sidhe: The Alphabet of the Trees is a meaningful blend of myth and memory, a story that invites readers to consider the unseen threads connecting past and present.
February 12, 2026
SIDHE: The Alphabet of the Trees is a thoughtful and quietly powerful blend of Irish mythology and coming-of-age fiction. Shari Schultz weaves folklore and personal discovery together in a way that feels both intimate and timeless. Rather than relying on fast-paced action, the story unfolds with a reflective tone that mirrors Deidre’s emotional journey as she travels to Ireland after the loss of her grandmother and begins to explore her heritage.
The concept of the sidhe as a portal between worlds works beautifully, not just as a fantasy device but as a metaphor for identity, grief, and belonging. Deidre’s movement between modern Ireland and the mythic landscapes of pre-Celtic Éire gives the novel a layered quality, allowing readers to experience both the magic of ancient legend and the very real emotions of a young girl trying to understand her place in her family’s story.
The Irish folklore elements feel sincere and respectfully presented. Figures from Celtic legend are woven into the narrative in a way that adds depth rather than decoration, making the cultural aspects of the novel one of its strongest features. Readers who appreciate mythology, heritage-centered storytelling, and character-driven fantasy will likely find this especially meaningful.
What stands out most is the heart of the story. At its core, this is about grief, roots, and self-discovery. It’s a gentle reminder that understanding where we come from can help us understand who we are becoming. For readers who enjoy reflective YA fantasy with cultural richness, this book offers a journey that feels both magical and emotionally grounded.
The concept of the sidhe as a portal between worlds works beautifully, not just as a fantasy device but as a metaphor for identity, grief, and belonging. Deidre’s movement between modern Ireland and the mythic landscapes of pre-Celtic Éire gives the novel a layered quality, allowing readers to experience both the magic of ancient legend and the very real emotions of a young girl trying to understand her place in her family’s story.
The Irish folklore elements feel sincere and respectfully presented. Figures from Celtic legend are woven into the narrative in a way that adds depth rather than decoration, making the cultural aspects of the novel one of its strongest features. Readers who appreciate mythology, heritage-centered storytelling, and character-driven fantasy will likely find this especially meaningful.
What stands out most is the heart of the story. At its core, this is about grief, roots, and self-discovery. It’s a gentle reminder that understanding where we come from can help us understand who we are becoming. For readers who enjoy reflective YA fantasy with cultural richness, this book offers a journey that feels both magical and emotionally grounded.
February 11, 2026
Sidhe: The Alphabet of the Trees is a gentle, reflective fantasy that weaves Irish mythology into a coming-of-age story about identity and loss. At its heart, this is less about spectacle and more about connection, connection to heritage, to family, and to the unseen threads that bind past and present together.
Deidre’s journey begins in grief, but what unfolds is something much deeper. As she travels from New York to Ireland and finds herself slipping through the mysterious sidhe, the story takes on a dreamlike quality. The blending of ancient Irish lore, Aine, Cliodna, the great king of Ulster, with a modern teenager’s search for belonging gives the novel a timeless feel. There’s a softness to the storytelling, almost like listening to a folktale passed down through generations.
What stood out most to me was the emphasis on heritage and identity. The novel treats Irish culture not just as a backdrop, but as something living and breathing. Deidre’s emotional journey feels sincere, especially in the way it explores grief and the quiet process of understanding one’s place within family history.
Readers who enjoy fast-paced, action-heavy fantasy might find this story more contemplative than expected. But for those who appreciate folklore, atmosphere, and stories that unfold like a myth whispered on the wind, Sidhe offers a thoughtful and heartfelt experience.
Overall, it’s a reflective tale that celebrates myth, memory, and the enduring power of love and belief.
Deidre’s journey begins in grief, but what unfolds is something much deeper. As she travels from New York to Ireland and finds herself slipping through the mysterious sidhe, the story takes on a dreamlike quality. The blending of ancient Irish lore, Aine, Cliodna, the great king of Ulster, with a modern teenager’s search for belonging gives the novel a timeless feel. There’s a softness to the storytelling, almost like listening to a folktale passed down through generations.
What stood out most to me was the emphasis on heritage and identity. The novel treats Irish culture not just as a backdrop, but as something living and breathing. Deidre’s emotional journey feels sincere, especially in the way it explores grief and the quiet process of understanding one’s place within family history.
Readers who enjoy fast-paced, action-heavy fantasy might find this story more contemplative than expected. But for those who appreciate folklore, atmosphere, and stories that unfold like a myth whispered on the wind, Sidhe offers a thoughtful and heartfelt experience.
Overall, it’s a reflective tale that celebrates myth, memory, and the enduring power of love and belief.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews