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The Tree That Sang To Me
The compelling tale of a boy with feelings so big he doesn't know how to express them. A story of friendship, family and self-discovery, perfect for readers aged 9+, and beautifully illustrated in black and white.
Kai can't stop pulling his hair out. It's so patchy and scabbed his mam has to shave it off. His sister, Jen, has been sent away and Kai knows it's all his fault. And he thinks Jen hates him for it.
His secret burns, but he tells no one, so he just keeps pulling at the tufts on his head.
But when Kai sits in the branches of an old sycamore tree, on a patch of overgrown scrubland near his home, he feels free to be whoever he wants to be - free to be someone who doesn't keep painful secrets. And when a girl called Sky starts climbing his tree, a friendship blossoms that helps Kai begin to heal.
Up here
it's like
I'm part of something else
the wind
the leaves
the air
free to be
whoever I want to be.
Kai can't stop pulling his hair out. It's so patchy and scabbed his mam has to shave it off. His sister, Jen, has been sent away and Kai knows it's all his fault. And he thinks Jen hates him for it.
His secret burns, but he tells no one, so he just keeps pulling at the tufts on his head.
But when Kai sits in the branches of an old sycamore tree, on a patch of overgrown scrubland near his home, he feels free to be whoever he wants to be - free to be someone who doesn't keep painful secrets. And when a girl called Sky starts climbing his tree, a friendship blossoms that helps Kai begin to heal.
Up here
it's like
I'm part of something else
the wind
the leaves
the air
free to be
whoever I want to be.
- GenresChildrens
240 pages, Paperback
Published March 14, 2024
1 person is currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Serena Molloy
2 books4 followersSerena Molloy was born in Wexford, Ireland and has worked as an English teacher in many schools in the UK and Ireland. She settled in Galway with her family where she can see the sea every day. As a mum of four her house is always noisy but never, ever dull. Having struggled with dyslexia as a child, her novels are a celebration of neurodiversity, empathy and the power to change.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 17, 2024
The Tree that Sang to me is a stunning and beautiful verse novel about family and feeling that has every word in the exact right place. Kai’s story is told with such empathy and care - it’s truly amazing. Left me in tears, in the best possible way.
May 6, 2024
Further proof that that sub-genre of YA/teen writing, of "bung a long short story into blank verse and make it look novel-length" has crossed the Atlantic. Further proof, too, that it can be pretty nicely powerful. Here, our lad is stuck in a rut. He's hanging with the bullies at school, even though he knows what effect they – and his silence – have on their victim. He has a place of succour away from it all, which is atop a sycamore tree in an abandoned corner of Dublin's canalside. And he has a gap in his life where his older sister used to be – and the fear that he caused her to vanish is causing him to indulge in trichotillomania – it is literally making him pull his hair out.
Here then is an emotional look at abject social care meetings, where the family try and get back on the same wavelength, and find it impossible to even start conversing. Here is the anger and fear of our hero at what he thinks he has caused, and the gap in his life as he knows he still loves his sister, yet with the realisation that she can't reciprocate – not if she's moved on so suddenly. Here is the quirky renaissance of the world – the canal swans with the four cygnets, the feeling the school bullies are not the best company, the weirdly winsome girl who joins in with sitting atop the sycamore…
These books always have issues. I still find the 'poem' titles indulgent and interrupting, even if here some of them are quite a few pages apart. Here the artwork is too cartoonish for the mood of the piece - and never once gets his hair short enough. And when the solitary teacher character, a Mr P, forces his pupils to do life writing in verse, it's as close to what he presents as his story here as Skrillex played backwards is to Mozart. But when you see the rich themes here, from the hair-pulling to the downplayed new friendship to the major issue of the family in mutual (and mutually worsening) torment, you see there is a lot here to get your teeth stuck into. To repeat, I see a lot of these as long short stories. This one could perhaps have been opened out to be a full novel (full as in word count, not page number), but the succinctness and ease of reading does make you glad the fresher format has been chosen. It's a healthy four stars, even with the jibe about Mayo from the Galway-residing author.
Here then is an emotional look at abject social care meetings, where the family try and get back on the same wavelength, and find it impossible to even start conversing. Here is the anger and fear of our hero at what he thinks he has caused, and the gap in his life as he knows he still loves his sister, yet with the realisation that she can't reciprocate – not if she's moved on so suddenly. Here is the quirky renaissance of the world – the canal swans with the four cygnets, the feeling the school bullies are not the best company, the weirdly winsome girl who joins in with sitting atop the sycamore…
These books always have issues. I still find the 'poem' titles indulgent and interrupting, even if here some of them are quite a few pages apart. Here the artwork is too cartoonish for the mood of the piece - and never once gets his hair short enough. And when the solitary teacher character, a Mr P, forces his pupils to do life writing in verse, it's as close to what he presents as his story here as Skrillex played backwards is to Mozart. But when you see the rich themes here, from the hair-pulling to the downplayed new friendship to the major issue of the family in mutual (and mutually worsening) torment, you see there is a lot here to get your teeth stuck into. To repeat, I see a lot of these as long short stories. This one could perhaps have been opened out to be a full novel (full as in word count, not page number), but the succinctness and ease of reading does make you glad the fresher format has been chosen. It's a healthy four stars, even with the jibe about Mayo from the Galway-residing author.
February 17, 2024
'The Tree That Sang To Me' is a beautiful verse novel for older primary-aged readers. Kai has been having a tough time since his older sister Jen got into trouble and left him home; now he can't stop pulling his hair out, his parents are constantly stressed and as far as he's concerned it's all his fault. Kai tries to make up for this by being a 'better me' but his parents don't really notice his efforts, and family therapy sessions are usually just full of awkward silences. At school, Kai knows that he should stand up for his friend Caleb who is being picked on but finds it easier to turn a blind eye. With the help of his new friend Sky and his teacher Mr P, he finds some consolation in nature, but will this be enough to repair everything that is broken?
I found this a very moving story which explores the challenges faced by many families but also shows how talking, writing and spending time with nature can help. The book is designed to be dyslexia-friendly, and the verse style helps with this, with relatively few words per page - but it also adds to the emotional impact of Serena Molloy's writing. This is a book which will help many young readers navigate similar difficulties, be it understanding an older sibling's changed behaviour, or parents being stressed, or witnessing bullying. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this excellent novel to review.
I found this a very moving story which explores the challenges faced by many families but also shows how talking, writing and spending time with nature can help. The book is designed to be dyslexia-friendly, and the verse style helps with this, with relatively few words per page - but it also adds to the emotional impact of Serena Molloy's writing. This is a book which will help many young readers navigate similar difficulties, be it understanding an older sibling's changed behaviour, or parents being stressed, or witnessing bullying. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this excellent novel to review.
March 17, 2024
The tree that sang to me
By Serena Molloy
Published by Hachette Children's Group
This beautiful verse story tells of difficult times when nothing is going right. But when surrounded by kindness from the most unlikely places, the choices you make and an inner strength puts you back on the right path.
When Kai's big sister Jen leaves home suddenly, Kai believes it's all his fault.
His secret ideas burn within him, but he tells no one, just keeping it all to himself.
But pulling at tufts of his hair gives away his true feelings of anxiety, worry and heartbreak. So Kai escapes to the safety of his favourite tree, high in the branches where no one & nothing can touch him. Or so he thinks. But then a girl called Sky joins Kai on the branches of his tree and a friendship blossoms ... a friendship with the power to heal.
This dyslexia-friendly verse story has lashings of friendship, a troubled family and a journey of self-discovery. Perfect for independent readers aged 9+ a class read for sure and beautifully illustrated in black and white.
Up here it's like I'm part of something else the wind the leaves the air free to be whoever I want to be.
Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgalley
By Serena Molloy
Published by Hachette Children's Group
This beautiful verse story tells of difficult times when nothing is going right. But when surrounded by kindness from the most unlikely places, the choices you make and an inner strength puts you back on the right path.
When Kai's big sister Jen leaves home suddenly, Kai believes it's all his fault.
His secret ideas burn within him, but he tells no one, just keeping it all to himself.
But pulling at tufts of his hair gives away his true feelings of anxiety, worry and heartbreak. So Kai escapes to the safety of his favourite tree, high in the branches where no one & nothing can touch him. Or so he thinks. But then a girl called Sky joins Kai on the branches of his tree and a friendship blossoms ... a friendship with the power to heal.
This dyslexia-friendly verse story has lashings of friendship, a troubled family and a journey of self-discovery. Perfect for independent readers aged 9+ a class read for sure and beautifully illustrated in black and white.
Up here it's like I'm part of something else the wind the leaves the air free to be whoever I want to be.
Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgalley
December 12, 2023
The Tree that Sang to Me tells the story, through verse, of Kai, who blames himself for something that tore his family apart. The blaming of himself comes out in a variety of ways: in pulling his hair out, struggling at school, and not knowing how to voice any of his feelings. All of these are delicately handed by the author and the upbeat illustrations by George Ermos prevent the story was becoming too depressing or serious.
Some of the elements here are very similar to those found in other verse stories - a teacher encouraging his class to discover themselves through poetry, a 'quirky' side character whose either creative side or immersion in the natural world, help the main character to resolve their issues. Saying that, it doesn't take anything away from the fact that this story packs a punch, especially for a shorter verse novel. The characters are full, the emotions run high and the story deals with topics not often seen in children's books.
I really enjoyed this and it will definitely be recommended to children in my class, who I know will love it.
Some of the elements here are very similar to those found in other verse stories - a teacher encouraging his class to discover themselves through poetry, a 'quirky' side character whose either creative side or immersion in the natural world, help the main character to resolve their issues. Saying that, it doesn't take anything away from the fact that this story packs a punch, especially for a shorter verse novel. The characters are full, the emotions run high and the story deals with topics not often seen in children's books.
I really enjoyed this and it will definitely be recommended to children in my class, who I know will love it.
June 18, 2025
This is a verse novel that hits with a punch.
it totally took me by surprise and I'm having to wipe away my tears as I read.
Kia, by chance finds solace out in nature. This is after something happens with his sister. Exploring a different type of grief. This loss has a huge impact on his relationships, his focus, his feelings.
It does end full of hope and the characters stick with you. The power of the writing is immense - personally I don't always get verse novels. I find the poetic nature difficult to read. However in this case the verse amplifies the emotion and the illustrations throughout too.
The depiction of how Kia deals with is anxiety and his own thoughts that mull through his head is very powerful, I would suggest if reading to a class that you ensure you know your class very well and that you are prepared to support students who see themselves reflected in the characters.
I feel like this book will stay with me for a while...
it totally took me by surprise and I'm having to wipe away my tears as I read.
Kia, by chance finds solace out in nature. This is after something happens with his sister. Exploring a different type of grief. This loss has a huge impact on his relationships, his focus, his feelings.
It does end full of hope and the characters stick with you. The power of the writing is immense - personally I don't always get verse novels. I find the poetic nature difficult to read. However in this case the verse amplifies the emotion and the illustrations throughout too.
The depiction of how Kia deals with is anxiety and his own thoughts that mull through his head is very powerful, I would suggest if reading to a class that you ensure you know your class very well and that you are prepared to support students who see themselves reflected in the characters.
I feel like this book will stay with me for a while...
May 5, 2024
A stunning verse novel about a boy called Kai and the family turmoil which ensues when his sister Jen gets mixed up with the wrong gang and runs away from home. Sensitive Kai blames himself. We follow him at home and at school as he struggles to overcome his inner turmoil. His escape is a sycamore tree where friendship blossoms between him and a girl called Sky. I loved the snippets of his daily life interwoven with cherished memories of his sister and important family moments and of course the healing power of nature and the swans of Irish legend. The words and imagery perfectly capture Kai’s struggle, as well as the power of friendship and family love. The cover is gorgeous and the illustrations are beautifully woven with the narrative.
March 24, 2024
Serena Molloy has created a beautiful poetic story book.
This is the story of Kai- a young boy trying to make sense of the world around him ; somewhat of a loner finding refuge in his “ personal hideaway tree”
At school he is teased and his only friend is Caleb - equally isolated. Telling his sister that he is the only one without a mobile phone, she surprises him with one as a gift ..but then things go wrong.
His sister runs away from home and family life changes- Kai blames himself . He continues to take refuge in his tree but is befriended by Sky. Sky joins him and sensitively supports him opening his eyes to the simplicity of the world they see from the branches of the tree.
The story of Kai is told in prose- short poetic sections - each with a simple heading. The vocabulary is pitch perfect. The emotions that Kai feels are palpable
This is a story that deals with loss, rejection, family conflict, self harm, isolation at school and home but ultimately friendship, love ,reconciliation and understanding
This is a the type of book that crosses borders in that it provides readers who may not want to read a longer text the opportunity to follow Kai’s story in a beautifully succinct way; it’s also a book to read aloud - to share with a class or group or equally be enjoyed as a book of prose.
George Ermos’ illustrations add further warmth and meaning
Perfect for 9 -11 with accessible vocabulary but full of depth - a winner.
I’ll certainly be recommending The Tree That Sang To Me to fellow teachers and friends
This is the story of Kai- a young boy trying to make sense of the world around him ; somewhat of a loner finding refuge in his “ personal hideaway tree”
At school he is teased and his only friend is Caleb - equally isolated. Telling his sister that he is the only one without a mobile phone, she surprises him with one as a gift ..but then things go wrong.
His sister runs away from home and family life changes- Kai blames himself . He continues to take refuge in his tree but is befriended by Sky. Sky joins him and sensitively supports him opening his eyes to the simplicity of the world they see from the branches of the tree.
The story of Kai is told in prose- short poetic sections - each with a simple heading. The vocabulary is pitch perfect. The emotions that Kai feels are palpable
This is a story that deals with loss, rejection, family conflict, self harm, isolation at school and home but ultimately friendship, love ,reconciliation and understanding
This is a the type of book that crosses borders in that it provides readers who may not want to read a longer text the opportunity to follow Kai’s story in a beautifully succinct way; it’s also a book to read aloud - to share with a class or group or equally be enjoyed as a book of prose.
George Ermos’ illustrations add further warmth and meaning
Perfect for 9 -11 with accessible vocabulary but full of depth - a winner.
I’ll certainly be recommending The Tree That Sang To Me to fellow teachers and friends
December 23, 2024
Lovely read! I am a 32 y/o teacher of middle grades, and I enjoyed the style (reads like poetry), themes (sibling-healing, anxiety, bullying), and artwork! I read it in 3 sittings. I hope to share this with my middle grades students and my own children. Kai's story has bits and pieces that nearly every reader can identify with on some level. So glad I bought this on a whim in a little bookshop in Ennis.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2025
We all know now that I love a free verse and this one also had the added benefit of being dyslexic friendly.
Kai is struggling with his feelings, he feels like his sister going away is his fault and this translates as self harm (pulling out hair) and hanging out with bullies at school.
The free verse is sparing in its word use, but is joined by illustrations that add to the story.
I liked the added nature parts and how he found comfort in the tree.
Kai is struggling with his feelings, he feels like his sister going away is his fault and this translates as self harm (pulling out hair) and hanging out with bullies at school.
The free verse is sparing in its word use, but is joined by illustrations that add to the story.
I liked the added nature parts and how he found comfort in the tree.
October 16, 2024
Beautifully done, showing family issues from the perspective of a child in the midst of them . I loved how his safe place was a tree, and that he shared it with a friend who let him be who he was, how he was, right then. Read this, it's great
April 21, 2024
Aw this is just gorgeous, moving, clever. I loved it! A verse novel about how family can change and shift, just like the seasons and nature.
July 8, 2024
A lovely, touching tale of a fractured family and a tree which brings healing, comfort and friendship to a lost and lonely boy. Beautiful!
December 6, 2024
A really well told and relatable story. The dyslexic friendly layout made reading it interesting as well, the way different words were presented and just the layout in general.
March 29, 2024
The tree that sang to me
By Serena Molloy
Published by Hachette Children's Group
This beautiful verse story tells of difficult times when nothing is going right. But when surrounded by kindness from the most unlikely places, the choices you make and an inner strength puts you back on the right path.
When Kai's big sister Jen leaves home suddenly, Kai believes it's all his fault.
His secret ideas burn within him, but he tells no one, just keeping it all to himself.
But pulling at tufts of his hair gives away his true feelings of anxiety, worry and heartbreak. So Kai escapes to the safety of his favourite tree, high in the branches where no one & nothing can touch him. Or so he thinks. But then a girl called Sky joins Kai on the branches of his tree and a friendship blossoms ... a friendship with the power to heal.
This dyslexia-friendly verse story has lashings of friendship, a troubled family and a journey of self-discovery. Perfect for independent readers aged 9+ a class read for sure and beautifully illustrated in black and white.
Up here it's like I'm part of something else the wind the leaves the air free to be whoever I want to be.
Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgalley
Waterstones
By Serena Molloy
Published by Hachette Children's Group
This beautiful verse story tells of difficult times when nothing is going right. But when surrounded by kindness from the most unlikely places, the choices you make and an inner strength puts you back on the right path.
When Kai's big sister Jen leaves home suddenly, Kai believes it's all his fault.
His secret ideas burn within him, but he tells no one, just keeping it all to himself.
But pulling at tufts of his hair gives away his true feelings of anxiety, worry and heartbreak. So Kai escapes to the safety of his favourite tree, high in the branches where no one & nothing can touch him. Or so he thinks. But then a girl called Sky joins Kai on the branches of his tree and a friendship blossoms ... a friendship with the power to heal.
This dyslexia-friendly verse story has lashings of friendship, a troubled family and a journey of self-discovery. Perfect for independent readers aged 9+ a class read for sure and beautifully illustrated in black and white.
Up here it's like I'm part of something else the wind the leaves the air free to be whoever I want to be.
Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgalley
Waterstones
June 2, 2024
Have you ever taken the time to listen to nature? It has the most marvellous stories to tell and many of them come the trees, some of the longest living of nature’s children, trees can live for hundreds of years which of course means they have seen a lot. They may sing to you rather than talk because there is a wonderful tradition, in folklore of songs sung in woodlands. And if you listen well, even on those days when the trees are not singing the wind in their branches, the rustling of their leaves will sing to you so please, take the time to listen, it could be important. For Kai, the one whose voice carries us through The Tree That Sang To Me, it is important. Up high, in among the broad branches of a wasteland sycamore tree he is safe, free from all of his worries, can be whoever he wants to be. This tree is his solace, his protection, his place.
Then he meets Sky and things change…for the better for this tree has the power to do that, to bring change as well as witness it. Serena Molloy has written this story using verse and has made it dyslexia friendly too, combined with the story itself this truly is an accessible story that will draw in all young readers. Whether you have ever heard a tree sing, had family problems, friend problems, or just need a quiet space to simply be, this story will call to you. Kai loves to spend time in the tree, more so since his big sister, Jen, left the family home for Kai knows it is all his fault she left and it is a secret that burns within him, which he can tell no-0ne, which causes him to pull out his hair. But the tree won’t judge, won’t ask questions and neither it seems will his new friend Sky. She loves to talk but she never pushes or presses him for more than he is willing to give. The tree brings them together and together they discover the strength they both need. Before long Kai begins to learn more about himself, find his inner strength and understanding. A beautiful and moving story.
I write reviews for Armadillo Children's Books and this one appeared in my weekly newsletter, Postbag Picks, in March 2024.
Then he meets Sky and things change…for the better for this tree has the power to do that, to bring change as well as witness it. Serena Molloy has written this story using verse and has made it dyslexia friendly too, combined with the story itself this truly is an accessible story that will draw in all young readers. Whether you have ever heard a tree sing, had family problems, friend problems, or just need a quiet space to simply be, this story will call to you. Kai loves to spend time in the tree, more so since his big sister, Jen, left the family home for Kai knows it is all his fault she left and it is a secret that burns within him, which he can tell no-0ne, which causes him to pull out his hair. But the tree won’t judge, won’t ask questions and neither it seems will his new friend Sky. She loves to talk but she never pushes or presses him for more than he is willing to give. The tree brings them together and together they discover the strength they both need. Before long Kai begins to learn more about himself, find his inner strength and understanding. A beautiful and moving story.
I write reviews for Armadillo Children's Books and this one appeared in my weekly newsletter, Postbag Picks, in March 2024.
October 15, 2025
The tree that Sang to Me is a really tender novel that discusses details you don’t see in kids books often. It talks of kids feeling guilt, afraid of doing wrong and the social care system. It talks in very vague ways of what happens with his sister but you see the pain Kai has of being alone without her and having someone to be at his side. He’s anxious and alone but in the end it becomes a beautiful story about hope. Brilliantly written in dyslexic verse, a great follow up to Wider Than the Sea.
Fantastically written in verse, perfect for anyone with dyslexia and offers a great alternative way of reading physical print.
I would read whatever she does next, but think it would keep being library borrows.
Fantastically written in verse, perfect for anyone with dyslexia and offers a great alternative way of reading physical print.
I would read whatever she does next, but think it would keep being library borrows.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews