Monster Tree

by Sarah Allen

“Family and friendship form the center of this spooky yet moving story which will captivate young readers.” —Adrianna Cuevas, Pura Belpré Honor- and Edgar Award-winning author of The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez and The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto

Stranger Things meets A Monster Calls in this spine-tingling, emotionally rich middle grade novel about a boy who must protect his neighborhood from a malevolent monster tree while dealing with the recent loss of his father.

Something evil is growing . . .

Linus used to be an artist, like his dad. Now his father is gone, and Linus’s mom has moved them to the other side of the city, hoping for a fresh start. Maybe, for the first time in months, Linus will even draw again.

But there’s something unusual about their neighbor Maude and something wrong with the grotesque tree in her backyard. At night Linus sees it moving, changing, growing. When increasingly bizarre events plague the neighborhood—massive claw marks appearing on doors and cars, pets going missing, sightings of a red-eyed creature—he suspects Maude and her tree are to blame.

With his home under threat, Linus teams up with his goofy best friend, Spencer, and no-nonsense new girl Abby to unearth whatever sinister seeds have been planted next door . . . where something truly monstrous is just taking root.

From the author of The Nightmare House (“A gorgeous book with scares enough for the brave at heart and heart enough for everyone.” —Lora Senf, author of The Clackity), Sarah Allen weaves together spooky supernatural adventure with a poignant tale of grief, the healing power of art, and the uniting force of friendship in Monster Tree.

Genres: Middle Grade, Horror, Fantasy, Grief

Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.

Reviews

[Keisha | A Book Like You · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monster Tree is the story of a boy who must protect his neighborhood from a malevolent monster tree while dealing with the recent loss of his father.

This book features a character with asthma and color blindness and a character who uses a hearing aid. I think it’s incredible when you see this type of representation in children’s literature. It also features a story of grief and anger. But there is also the beautiful bonds of friendship that hold you up through those tough times.

Sarah Allen has a poetic writing style that I’ve always enjoyed. My favorite of hers so far has been The Nightmare House.

If you’re interested in picking up a spooky middle grade book that tackles tough topics this fall season, Monster Tree is a good one to check out.

Trigger Warning for a gruesome scene involving animals, kidnapping, and overall spooky vibes.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something evil lurks in Linus’s neighborhood…
🫚
Ever since Linus’s dad died and he and his mother moved across town, he hasn’t picked up his charcoal to draw once. Like his artist father, Linus has a gift with art, but can’t bring himself to draw again due to his grief. When a new friend, Abby, and BFF, Spencer, team up to figure out what’s going on with the malevolent tree in his neighbor’s yard, Linus must fight for what and who he loves most in this world.
💀
This was such a spooky, yet tenderhearted MG book by @sarahallenbooks While equal parts terrifying and poignant, Allen is able to weave a supernatural story that will tug at your heartstrings and give you chills. Fans of A Monster Calls and The Night Gardener will love this novel releasing September 3.

CW: hospitalization, grief, parental death (theme), kidnapping, asthma, car accident (discussed)

[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings

Asthma
Grief & loss depiction
Death of a father in a car accident discussed
Kidnapping

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I've mentioned before, I'm really excited about this movement towards upper middle grade. There are moments of lyrical writing in here that you'd see more in young adult, but the main characters are still that middle grade vibe.

The tree is CREEPY and the monsters are too, but there's so much heart, loyalty, and humor between the three friends that the book doesn't seem too much for the 10 to 14 age group. Especially when taking into consideration the heavy grief that Linus is going through with the passing of his father which happens before the book begins. He and his father have this beautiful connection with charcoal art that carries Linus through the whole story and through the healing process.

Great book for kids (or kids at heart) who want adventure, a spooky mystery, and an emotionally satisfying plot but aren't quite ready for YA.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

In MONSTER TREE, Linus is still reeling from his father’s death and having a hard time getting back to his charcoal drawings, a talent he developed under his father’s tutelage. He and his mom have moved across town for a fresh start and as they adjust to their new home, Linus notices something odd about one of the trees in his new neighbor’s yard. When a series of strange events occur in the neighborhood, Linus teams up with his BFF Spencer and new friend Abby to figure out the root cause of the evil lurking within the tree. When Linus finds a connection between his drawings and the tree, he is forced to return to his art again to save his community and to find his own way forward.

While this story features creepy creatures and lots of high-octane thrills, with its exploration of how Linus navigates his grief after the loss of his father and of the power of art to heal, this is more than a horror story. Inclusiveness is also strong here, with representation of characters with hearing loss, colorblindness, and asthma. This will be enjoyed by upper middle grade readers looking for more than just jump scares in their spooky books.

[Marion Cleborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linus is struggling to create art after his father's tragic death. However, picking up his charcoal may be the only way to stop a monster from destroying their home...

Monster Tree is a wonderful addition to the ever-growing collection of middle grade horror! I loved its eerie vibe and unique spin on the classic monster trope. However, it's more than just a scary story. It's also a story about friendships, grief, rekindling passions, and more. There's also a good amount of pop culture references (though I'm still not sure Monster Hunter is a "first person shooter," haha). I think fans of Ali Malinenko will enjoy this creepy, yet heartwarming, tale.

This book also features a lot of representation, such as a colorblind main character with asthma and a character who uses hearing aids.
There is one dark scene involving (wild) animal death.

Croak!

[Megyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Monster tree follows a young boy who recently lost his father. He notices an odd tree in his neighbors backyard and then things get even worse when monsters start coming from it. Him and his friends have to save the neighborhood from this tree and the monsters.

I thought this book was just ok. I liked all of the characters, and the plot was interesting. I think kids will enjoy the tree and the monsters.

However, I do feel like it drug on a bit and was very repetitive.

I would still recommend this one but it was not my favorite.

[Book Geek Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! A great story, fun and unique characters, twisty plot. Kind of spooky but still middle grade appropriate. Themes of grief, loss, friendship, courage. All very, very well done. For me, it was a little reminiscent of the picture book. When a Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. Totally different story line, but evoked similar feelings for me. I hope these kids have another adventure soon. 4.5 stars. For readers 12-14, or younger if they can handle the scary stuff.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-crafted middle grades novel about grief, moving forward from loss, and the power of art. Highly recommended for middle school readers and their teachers.

[Jen Nishi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent commentary on grief and the impact it can have on your heart. Loved the friendships developed and the family dynamic. Excellent spookiness with just the right amount of creep.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating/review withheld until after Whitney Awards judging has been completed.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good story about grief and healing. There are some descriptions of dead animals (victims of the monster) that might be too sad/gruesome for younger or more sensitive readers.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Allen has a beautiful writing style in this engaging and (and spooky!) middle grade book.

[Lisa Nocita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monster Analogy for a boy grieving the loss of his father.

[Tiffany Hankamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, MacMillan Children's Publishing Group, and Sarah Allen.

This was a beautifully written middle grade story dealing with loss and grief. It would be a good story for kids who like books that are a little spooky and kids who love art. Linus really learned how to process the loss of his father throughout the book.