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The Secrets of Tree Taylor
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jan 35Thirteen-year-old Tree Taylor has two goals for the summer of '63:
1. Experience her first real kiss. A kiss delivered by a boy. A boy who is not related to her. A kiss worth writing about.
2. Become a famous writer. (Or, at least, write an investigative article that will land her the freshman spot on the Blue and Gold staff.)
So when a gunshot is fired right across the street, Tree knows this is the big story she's been waiting for. But the more she goes digging, the more secrets she uncovers, and soon she begins to wonder: When is it important to expose the truth? And when is it right to keep a secret?
1. Experience her first real kiss. A kiss delivered by a boy. A boy who is not related to her. A kiss worth writing about.
2. Become a famous writer. (Or, at least, write an investigative article that will land her the freshman spot on the Blue and Gold staff.)
So when a gunshot is fired right across the street, Tree knows this is the big story she's been waiting for. But the more she goes digging, the more secrets she uncovers, and soon she begins to wonder: When is it important to expose the truth? And when is it right to keep a secret?
288 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 2014
6 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Dandi Daley Mackall
352 books291 followersA professional writer for over 20 years, Dandi Daley Mackall has written dozens of articles for popular magazines and published around 500 books for children and adults alike, with sales of over 4 million.
A frequent guest on radio and television talk shows, she lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, horses, dogs, & cats. Awards include the Edgar Award for Best YA Mystery, the Helen Keating Ott Award for Contributions to Children's Literature; Distinguished Alumni Award from Mizzou; ALA Best Book; Christian Children's Book of the Year, Amelia Bloom, Mom's Choice Awards. Her YA novel, My Boyfriends' Dogs, is now a Hallmark movie.
A frequent guest on radio and television talk shows, she lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, horses, dogs, & cats. Awards include the Edgar Award for Best YA Mystery, the Helen Keating Ott Award for Contributions to Children's Literature; Distinguished Alumni Award from Mizzou; ALA Best Book; Christian Children's Book of the Year, Amelia Bloom, Mom's Choice Awards. Her YA novel, My Boyfriends' Dogs, is now a Hallmark movie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 19, 2015
This book throws a question about truth. Are all truth needed to be revealed to public? Or are there some truths that are better to be kept as secrets? Tree had ambition to join the school newspaper as reporters. To achieve that, she believed she had to write an explosive news, but there seems to be nothing happening in her peaceful town. Then, something happened. Something worth reporting.
In the middle of the night, her neighborhood was shocked by a sound of gunshot. Everybody wanted to close this case as accident. Even Tree's father insisted on it. But, Tree wants to get to the bottom of the story. The more she investigated and the more she realized the consequences of revealing the truth.
At what point, truth must be fought and when it must be hidden?
The story is based on the author's childhood. You can feel the way the description just bring you back to 60s, the start of Vietnam war. As you know that this story is based on reality, I will warn you that there is no easy happy ever after ending. I cried buckets at the last chapter.
In the middle of the night, her neighborhood was shocked by a sound of gunshot. Everybody wanted to close this case as accident. Even Tree's father insisted on it. But, Tree wants to get to the bottom of the story. The more she investigated and the more she realized the consequences of revealing the truth.
At what point, truth must be fought and when it must be hidden?
The story is based on the author's childhood. You can feel the way the description just bring you back to 60s, the start of Vietnam war. As you know that this story is based on reality, I will warn you that there is no easy happy ever after ending. I cried buckets at the last chapter.
December 19, 2013
Advanced Readers Copy
It sounds like a possibly typical and easy read and technically it was, but at the same time there was a depth to the story that left me totally satisfied and content at the end. This is a coming of age story about Teresa "Tree" Taylor, trying to understand the whole concept of truth. When is it yours to tell, who to share it with, how others react to it etc. and while these are pretty basic themes, they are meaningful, and add a level of maturity to the book, which allows you to connect and be empathetic to her character and the story. This was an unexpected enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone looking to go back to basics and back to their childhood times and life lessons or anyone looking for something simple, yet gratifying.
It sounds like a possibly typical and easy read and technically it was, but at the same time there was a depth to the story that left me totally satisfied and content at the end. This is a coming of age story about Teresa "Tree" Taylor, trying to understand the whole concept of truth. When is it yours to tell, who to share it with, how others react to it etc. and while these are pretty basic themes, they are meaningful, and add a level of maturity to the book, which allows you to connect and be empathetic to her character and the story. This was an unexpected enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone looking to go back to basics and back to their childhood times and life lessons or anyone looking for something simple, yet gratifying.
February 4, 2018
In the summer of 1963, Tree Taylor has two goals she wished to achieve; 1) write an article that will grant her the freshman journalist position at the school newspaper, Blue and Gold, and 2) experience her first real kiss, the kind worth writing about. At thirteen-years-old, Tree already knows that she wants to be a writer, she only needs a story to write about.
One morning while Tree is sitting on her porch trying to come up with an idea for her article, the sound of a gunshot echoes through the early morning air. Tree instantly knows what her article is going to be about. The more she digs into the Kinney incident, however, the more she wonders whether the secrets she is uncovering are the ones that she should write about.
This was an interesting novel, though I neither liked nor disliked it.
The characters in this novel are very well written, constructed and thought out; their personalities are highly realistic and, despite the differences in the times, easy to connect to.
The small town setting is cute and quaint. It reminds me, in some ways, of the small town that I grew up in. It is the kind of town where everyone knows everyone and a secret is never really a secret. Of course, when you are a child, things are not always as clear or apparent to you as they are when you are an adult. I think that is why Mrs. Kinney’s secret was such a big thing for Tree.
Of course, since Tree is thirteen and I am not, I was able to discern Mrs. Kinney’s secret almost from the beginning, as well as Penny’s secret. Despite the title of the book, Tree didn’t have a lot of secrets of her own.
I really did not like the ending of this novel. For me, it was as though it never ended, especially with regard to her friend Jack. The mysteries behind Mrs. Kinney’s secret and Penny’s fear were cleared up rather nicely, there was both an answer and a resolution. But with regard to Jack, and a select few other characters, there wasn’t any resolution, no way for the reader to walk away satisfied.
I would recommend this novel to young readers who enjoy historical coming-of-age novels.
I bought my copy of this novel from my local Dollar Tree. I have been denied permission to use an image of the cover artwork above because my review is less than positive.
stephanietiner.weebly.com
One morning while Tree is sitting on her porch trying to come up with an idea for her article, the sound of a gunshot echoes through the early morning air. Tree instantly knows what her article is going to be about. The more she digs into the Kinney incident, however, the more she wonders whether the secrets she is uncovering are the ones that she should write about.
This was an interesting novel, though I neither liked nor disliked it.
The characters in this novel are very well written, constructed and thought out; their personalities are highly realistic and, despite the differences in the times, easy to connect to.
The small town setting is cute and quaint. It reminds me, in some ways, of the small town that I grew up in. It is the kind of town where everyone knows everyone and a secret is never really a secret. Of course, when you are a child, things are not always as clear or apparent to you as they are when you are an adult. I think that is why Mrs. Kinney’s secret was such a big thing for Tree.
Of course, since Tree is thirteen and I am not, I was able to discern Mrs. Kinney’s secret almost from the beginning, as well as Penny’s secret. Despite the title of the book, Tree didn’t have a lot of secrets of her own.
I really did not like the ending of this novel. For me, it was as though it never ended, especially with regard to her friend Jack. The mysteries behind Mrs. Kinney’s secret and Penny’s fear were cleared up rather nicely, there was both an answer and a resolution. But with regard to Jack, and a select few other characters, there wasn’t any resolution, no way for the reader to walk away satisfied.
I would recommend this novel to young readers who enjoy historical coming-of-age novels.
I bought my copy of this novel from my local Dollar Tree. I have been denied permission to use an image of the cover artwork above because my review is less than positive.
stephanietiner.weebly.com
May 8, 2015
If you're into this kind of thing you'll love this book. Historical, takes place against the backdrop of the Vietnam war, Tree Taylor wants to do two things this summer: kiss her first (non-related) boy and write enough to get accepted on the school paper. However, when she witnesses a crime in her own seemingly safe neighborhood, she might find she's bitten off more than she can chew.
I don't like historical fiction. So that's why it got a three. My coworker Rebecca is going to read this and then report back to me on whether or not it's actually good.
I don't like historical fiction. So that's why it got a three. My coworker Rebecca is going to read this and then report back to me on whether or not it's actually good.
April 16, 2017
I don't really have words for this book. It's perfection and I highly recommend it. For parents, I'd say read it beforehand (it won't take that long) as it does lightly touch on some heavy topics, but it's an incredible book!
August 6, 2015
This was another book that I wanted to like more than I did. I didn't feel like the story flowed very well, and the ending felt really rushed. It was just meh.
September 11, 2017
I thought this book was great. If I had to sum up what I thought about it in one word, I'd pick 'honest.' I say honest because nothing felt like a caricature or parody of events. The entire book felt like a peek into what life was like that summer for a number of people Tree interacted with rather than being solely about her. You would think that the gunshot going off would drive the book in a particular direction and consume the book but it actually goes in another direction entirely, taking the reader on quite the ride by the end. I liked that the story involved a number of people in the town and what they were experiencing; the manner in which the townspeople were introduced didn't clash with who I felt the main characters were. It painted a very full picture of Hamilton that I liked. Tree had to learn some important lessons about a few things--herself, her idea of honesty and justice, and the often gray area between those two things. The events of that summer likely changed Tree's mentality by exposing her to the truth outside of the idyllic childhood that she probably hadn't yet realized she'd had. Some people didn't quite have it as good as she did, and anyone, even those we trust, can keep secrets. Sometimes doing the right thing isn't always easy, and life can change at the drop of a hat, and not always favorably. Tree needed to make those observations for herself and I think that was the true coming-of-age part of the story, as it planted the seeds for her to become a true journalist later. Historically, the book was accurate and while I first wondered, "Why 1963?" by the end of the book I was glad that was the year chosen. Secrets feels like the quiet before the storm for America in so many ways, and a teenage girl having her eyes opened to the ugly truths of life shortly beforehand I'm sure helped to usher in the painful years following it. I'd never thought of what life must have been like in the early days of the Vietnam war and this gave me a really good look into how war shapes a country, down to the smallest, quietest towns. The Secrets of Tree Taylor goes much more in-depth than it initially sounds, through the eyes of a girl taking her first steps into womanhood during what becomes a very conflicted, scary period of time. I loved it and recommend it to you if you like the mysteries in a small town, or you're into coming-of-age stories that go against what the synopsis suggests they'll be about. If you're looking for a fast-paced whodunnit, however, this isn't the book for you.
A full review of this book is up on my blog.
A full review of this book is up on my blog.
May 11, 2014
Tree Taylor is sitting on the front step one Sunday morning in her PJ's, trying to come up with something to write about, when she hears a gunshot down the street. Her dad, the town doctor, hustles past her and tells her to stay put as he heads to where the shot was fired. Tree follows and from her hiding place, watches as their reclusive neighbor. Mrs. Kinney comes out of the house carrying a rifle. Her dad's behavior is curious. He turns away from Mrs. Kinney and sits on the step. When she lowers the rifle, he takes it. He tells the sheriff that the shooting of Mr. Kinney in the shoulder, was accidentally self-inflicted.
Tree knows something doesn't add up, but her father won't tell her what really happened and she needs the details in order to write an article that will get her the lone freshman spot on the high school newspaper. What follows the events on this Sunday in 1963, is a wonderfully sad coming of age story. Tree begins the summer with two goals: Get on the newspaper staff and experience her first real kiss, preferably with Ray who has amazing blue eyes.
Tree faces plenty of obstacles that summer. Her best friend, Sara, has terrible news for her, her poem gets published on the front page of the town newspaper, she learns, first hand, not once, but twice, how the Vietnam War can tear families and communities apart, she learns that sometimes you have to speak out, even if it means you might lose a friend, she achieves her goals, but in unexpected ways and she learns that no matter how close families are, there will always be secrets.
Dandi has written a stellar book that younger teens will really love. There's so much, done so well, it's difficult to know where to start in praising it.
Tree knows something doesn't add up, but her father won't tell her what really happened and she needs the details in order to write an article that will get her the lone freshman spot on the high school newspaper. What follows the events on this Sunday in 1963, is a wonderfully sad coming of age story. Tree begins the summer with two goals: Get on the newspaper staff and experience her first real kiss, preferably with Ray who has amazing blue eyes.
Tree faces plenty of obstacles that summer. Her best friend, Sara, has terrible news for her, her poem gets published on the front page of the town newspaper, she learns, first hand, not once, but twice, how the Vietnam War can tear families and communities apart, she learns that sometimes you have to speak out, even if it means you might lose a friend, she achieves her goals, but in unexpected ways and she learns that no matter how close families are, there will always be secrets.
Dandi has written a stellar book that younger teens will really love. There's so much, done so well, it's difficult to know where to start in praising it.
August 18, 2016
It's a good light read for middle grades. I think it is a little bit plotless, but overall it was good.
May 10, 2022
This author never fails to entertain and provide thought-provoking scenes. This story of a middle-school girl in the 1960s is humorous, serious and yet warm and political.
Tree (short for Teresa) is friends with several people, all of whom have secrets that they sometimes, but not always, share with her. She doesn't always know what to do with the information they share with her. In one case, it is serious enough to share with a responsible adult.
Her home is stable, but the author aptly shows how not even a church-going family gets along famously.
The story mentions the Vietnam War several times and while it is discussed, the focus doesn't head that direction until the very end.
Tree, who wants to be a writer and adopts varied means to accomplish this goal, learns valuable lessons about life and the trickiness of keeping secrets to show your love for people and love of self.
A great book for students – probably female – who don't need cliff-hanger adventure novels but want to delve into small town life with an intact family.
Tree (short for Teresa) is friends with several people, all of whom have secrets that they sometimes, but not always, share with her. She doesn't always know what to do with the information they share with her. In one case, it is serious enough to share with a responsible adult.
Her home is stable, but the author aptly shows how not even a church-going family gets along famously.
The story mentions the Vietnam War several times and while it is discussed, the focus doesn't head that direction until the very end.
Tree, who wants to be a writer and adopts varied means to accomplish this goal, learns valuable lessons about life and the trickiness of keeping secrets to show your love for people and love of self.
A great book for students – probably female – who don't need cliff-hanger adventure novels but want to delve into small town life with an intact family.
January 14, 2023
This book felt like a punch to the stomach, wow. Yes, some of the words and writing felt choppy and unfinished at times, however, the storyline, feelings, and characters were truthful and unforgivingly honest. I felt like I was brought back to my younger self through Tree’s view, when secrets and the true evils in life are overwhelmingly shocking and heartbreaking to the innocence of youth.
This is the closest I’ve come to crying over a book in awhile. If you liked One For The Murphys by Lynda
Mullaly Hunt, I would venture to say this book would also be enjoyable. In conclusion/warning: despite Tree’s age(thirteen), and the slightly simple writing style, this did give me more of a YA vibe, and though I understand the classic “coming of age” storyline isn’t always pretty both in books and in real life, I’d recommend a parental proofread for the intended younger audience. This story touches, lightly and then not so lightly on physical abuse and sexual abuse. 4/5
This is the closest I’ve come to crying over a book in awhile. If you liked One For The Murphys by Lynda
Mullaly Hunt, I would venture to say this book would also be enjoyable. In conclusion/warning: despite Tree’s age(thirteen), and the slightly simple writing style, this did give me more of a YA vibe, and though I understand the classic “coming of age” storyline isn’t always pretty both in books and in real life, I’d recommend a parental proofread for the intended younger audience. This story touches, lightly and then not so lightly on physical abuse and sexual abuse. 4/5
December 29, 2019
4 1/2 stars
First, I want to say I think Goodreads has been glitching a little this morning, when I tried to put this book into currently reading, it automatically switched to read.
This is historical fiction, which has always been hit-or-miss for me. Some I enjoy, and others I don't. I liked this one, especially the way it was told, and Tree references a lot of music, so that was something a little unique.
If you are into historical fiction, I would definitely recommend this, and also if you aren't. Give this a try. It's one of those historical fiction stories where you sometimes forget it's actually relating to history, because you are so caught up in the story.
I wish there was another book though. There was sort of a cliffhanger at the end.... not that I'll give you more detail than that!!!
If you do read this, I hope you enjoy!!! :)
First, I want to say I think Goodreads has been glitching a little this morning, when I tried to put this book into currently reading, it automatically switched to read.
This is historical fiction, which has always been hit-or-miss for me. Some I enjoy, and others I don't. I liked this one, especially the way it was told, and Tree references a lot of music, so that was something a little unique.
If you are into historical fiction, I would definitely recommend this, and also if you aren't. Give this a try. It's one of those historical fiction stories where you sometimes forget it's actually relating to history, because you are so caught up in the story.
I wish there was another book though. There was sort of a cliffhanger at the end.... not that I'll give you more detail than that!!!
If you do read this, I hope you enjoy!!! :)
October 4, 2020
3 stars
This was an okay book. I liked the whole 1960's vibe, but I found myself bored at times. I understand I am not a 13 year old girl, but it just felt like nothing really happened throughout much of the book. I thought the story was going to be more of a mystery and it really wasn't. However, I did really enjoy the last 25% of the book and the wrap up. Penny was a sweet likeable character and I liked her family and most of the side characters also. The writing style was good and though I was reading a middle grade book, because of some of the more mature topics (such as the war, shooting, abuse etc.), it felt a bit more mature.
Overall, even though it got boring at times it still had moments where it was interesting and enjoyable. I would recommend this one to anyone who likes the 1960's/Vietnam war era.
This was an okay book. I liked the whole 1960's vibe, but I found myself bored at times. I understand I am not a 13 year old girl, but it just felt like nothing really happened throughout much of the book. I thought the story was going to be more of a mystery and it really wasn't. However, I did really enjoy the last 25% of the book and the wrap up. Penny was a sweet likeable character and I liked her family and most of the side characters also. The writing style was good and though I was reading a middle grade book, because of some of the more mature topics (such as the war, shooting, abuse etc.), it felt a bit more mature.
Overall, even though it got boring at times it still had moments where it was interesting and enjoyable. I would recommend this one to anyone who likes the 1960's/Vietnam war era.
May 4, 2017
Okay, this is probably an unfair assessment because I'm both a 1960's geek and a book geek, but this book had it all for me.
Tree Taylor wants to be a writer and she wants a spot on the school paper. It's 1963 and the nation is changing and she's witnessing it all as a person on the brink of independence.
This book is both a great mystery and a lovely family drama. I love all the quotes worked in to the chapters (my favorite is the Willa Cather one on page 237)...Willa knows her stuff.
What a great glimpse into the period for kids, but a lovely mix of story and historical allusions for us adults too. Well done.
Tree Taylor wants to be a writer and she wants a spot on the school paper. It's 1963 and the nation is changing and she's witnessing it all as a person on the brink of independence.
This book is both a great mystery and a lovely family drama. I love all the quotes worked in to the chapters (my favorite is the Willa Cather one on page 237)...Willa knows her stuff.
What a great glimpse into the period for kids, but a lovely mix of story and historical allusions for us adults too. Well done.
July 19, 2017
I kinda wish I read it when I was younger because Tree's 13 and writes like it. But i've only recently become interested in journalism, so it's a trade-off. It had lots of sub plots that didn't quite bind into the main story, except when it gives a too obvious moral.
May 19, 2025
This book is really good. The plot itself pulls you in, and the real historical references found throughout the book really amplified it for me. I thought the writers quotes interspersed through the book added a lot, and had a really sweet resolution within the story. Highly recommend this one!
May 6, 2016
The story: Tree Taylor isn't really looking for secrets--it's more like the secrets are looking for her. She knows that Butch is two-timing her sister Eileen. She knows there's something creepy about the way Chuck treats his step-sister Penny. And worst of all, she knows there's more to the story about Mr. Kinney being shot with his own rifle than other people in their small town might think. Tree's determined to get all the information and write a story about the Kinney shooting that will earn her a spot on the school paper...but as she finds out more and more, it gets harder and harder to tell the truth about the Kinneys (and about Penny and even Butch) when she knows how much trouble the truth can cause. When is someone else's secret yours to tell?
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (implied spousal abuse; implied sexual abuse between step-siblings) PG; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments: Tree's small-town experiences during the summer of 1963 contrast nicely with the tumult of what's going on in the larger world. Tree, a truth hunter, finds out that sometimes knowing what really happened can be harder than not knowing, and that figuring out what to do about what you know can be the hardest thing of all.
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG; Sexual content PG; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (implied spousal abuse; implied sexual abuse between step-siblings) PG; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments: Tree's small-town experiences during the summer of 1963 contrast nicely with the tumult of what's going on in the larger world. Tree, a truth hunter, finds out that sometimes knowing what really happened can be harder than not knowing, and that figuring out what to do about what you know can be the hardest thing of all.
December 8, 2015
I hated it because the ending sucked (it mad me cry)! But... at the same time, it was a necessary ending, I wish it wasn't, but that was the best ending it could have. Arghhhhh.
And honestly, the truth behind the gun shooting (the main plot I guess), really didn't seem very hard to figure out, and it was somewhat annoying that the issue kept being dragged when it really was quite straightforward. So that part was a bit draggy, like the writer was beating about the bush, and had already beaten out all the leaves in the bush, but just refused to go to the center of the bush so that she could insert in more subplots before reaching the conclusion.
But if you ignore how it beats all over the bush, I like the rest of the story. Its narrative of a girl growing up in the time of rock-and-roll music, growing tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, and the occasional reports of the 'conflict' in Vietnam, is simple and cogent. I liked how the author managed to weave the changes in the world into the narration, providing some insight as to what the 1960s were like. But more than that, I loved how realistic the book was, because not every thing has a happily ever after, and we are only too human.
And the quotes that peppered the book were thoroughly enjoyable as well :)
And honestly, the truth behind the gun shooting (the main plot I guess), really didn't seem very hard to figure out, and it was somewhat annoying that the issue kept being dragged when it really was quite straightforward. So that part was a bit draggy, like the writer was beating about the bush, and had already beaten out all the leaves in the bush, but just refused to go to the center of the bush so that she could insert in more subplots before reaching the conclusion.
But if you ignore how it beats all over the bush, I like the rest of the story. Its narrative of a girl growing up in the time of rock-and-roll music, growing tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, and the occasional reports of the 'conflict' in Vietnam, is simple and cogent. I liked how the author managed to weave the changes in the world into the narration, providing some insight as to what the 1960s were like. But more than that, I loved how realistic the book was, because not every thing has a happily ever after, and we are only too human.
And the quotes that peppered the book were thoroughly enjoyable as well :)
July 2, 2014
I am surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It's a coming of age story set in 1963, which might have been an invitation to write a naive character. Tree is not the most sophisticated 13 year old ever invented, but she's smart and insightful. The story grows in a very organic manner as Tree tries to become a writer, works as a basketgirl at the pool (a job I never imagined but maybe common in the 1960s?) and creates new relationships during the summer. This is not the kind of book I normally get excited about but by the end, I was so curious to see how Tree handled the many situations thrown her way and I couldn't believe how well everything tied together. For those skeptical of the 1960s setting, there is talk of Vietnam and some drive-in movie scenes that really make the setting work.
March 19, 2018
Tree Taylor is a 13 year old girl living in Hamilton, Missouri in the year of 1963. Her 2 best friends are Sarah and Jack and Sarah works with Tree at the pool as a basket-girl. All sorts of things are happening around Tree Taylor and she loves writing. Lots of people are starting to think about the oncoming war with the Vietnamese but something else happens right in Tree's neighborhood. There is a gunshot in the house of the Kinney's and Tree really wishes to report this in the newspaper but is her right?
June 30, 2014
As a social studies teacher I loved all the references to the 60's and the Vietnam War. However, the big event at the beginning with Mrs. McKinney shooting her husband led you to believe there was some big mystery as to why she did it. Alas, the reveal that she actually did shoot him was a huge let down. We already knew she shot him and that it was probably because she didn't like him in the first chapter of the book! However, I did like the ending with Jack and Tree.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2015
Secrets to Tree Taylor seem to be misleading and struggles with the concept of good secrets and bad secrets. With some she actively tries to expose and others haunt her.
I always have trouble with books that are set in the 60's they don't seem like they would actually happen. This book tries to cover a wide range of topics from civil rights to Vietnam.
Not the best, not enough quality secrets.
I always have trouble with books that are set in the 60's they don't seem like they would actually happen. This book tries to cover a wide range of topics from civil rights to Vietnam.
Not the best, not enough quality secrets.
June 24, 2015
I enjoyed this story of aspiring journalist Tree Taylor, making her way through the difficult secret-filled summer of 1963, but have very mixed feelings about the ending, which left my favorite character in unknown and dangerous circumstances. It should be a stand-alone book, so I don't expect resolution.
February 9, 2015
I kept rooting that the truth wasn't more important than justice is this coming of age story. "Nothing weighs so heavily on us as a secret." This message comes through clearly as Tree Taylor struggles with doing the right thing when she finally gets the facts to a neighborhood shooting. Beautifully written and set in a small Missouri town.
May 19, 2015
The main character is interesting and does not make stupid decisions. This is a thing I like.
While the plot may not exactly keep older readers guessing, I think it reaches its intended audience, as this is the sort of book that I would have loved if I had first happened upon it when I was thirteen.
While the plot may not exactly keep older readers guessing, I think it reaches its intended audience, as this is the sort of book that I would have loved if I had first happened upon it when I was thirteen.
July 31, 2016
LOVED this coming-of age story set in a small town in the 60s. Perfectly captures the time and place and paints a vivid picture of scenes I could watch in my mind. While it's not a page-turner in terms of plot, it's a book I didn't want to end because of the well-developed characters and their relationships.
April 15, 2014
I loved this book! It made me want to move to a small town in Missouri. The message was really good and I fell in love with all the characters, who were written with an incredible realistic beauty. I nearly cried towards the end. Great little story about growing up.
July 13, 2014
I just couldn't get into this book. Characters were very flat and all the 'secrets' were too obvious. It wasn't a horrible book; just very 'meh'. Mostly I wanted it to end so I could move onto a new book
August 1, 2014
I really, really liked this one. Enjoyable writing but I think I liked it because the characters were very real. I could see myself in the main character as a 14 year old when everything was changing and I couldn't quite keep up. An excellent YA read.
November 9, 2021
I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. The author was easily able to intertwine historical tones and emotions with the story at hand, and the most important events of the time influenced the characters of the story. I highly recommend it, and hope to reread it soon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews