The Tree House Mystery

by Carol Beach York, Reisie Lonette (Illustrator)

From the day they move to their new house in the country, Roger and Anabelle have a strange feeling about the tree house on their property.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Childrens, Chapter Books, Juvenile

90 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It's a short chapter book (it's only 90 pages, with large-ish print and several illustrations) and the plot is fairly slim, with focus primarily on the the family's move and the mystery surrounding the mysterious "Thing" that Roger thinks keeps inhabiting their tree house, but the characters are well developed and I especially appreciated how even the parents are real people with their own dreams and feelings. Roger's feelings about moving to a new house, leaving his friends, still feeling that his "old" house is truly "home" etc. are sensitively and realistically portrayed. I appreciate the loving family and especially that Roger is kind to his little sister and aware of her feelings. The mystery is pitch-perfect in that sort of delicious spookiness that comes from letting your imagination get the better of you and anything scary is buffered by the warmth of the loving family and, of course, all ends well. Published in the early '70s, the illustrations are delightfully dated, but I think the story is fairly timeless and I would recommend to young mystery lovers of today.

[Cheryl A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Too short for me, but good for young kids. This brother and sister are good kids, in a healthy family, and they still manage to have an adventure. Happy endings all 'round.

I have no idea why one reviewer said it's horrifying. I'm sensitive, and cannot find anything but vry mild tension. Not even the level of a bowdlerized 'three little pigs' story, for example.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

Roger is not enthusiastic about moving from the big city to the country. There’s a lot he’ll miss. But he and Annabelle come across a tree house that looks really fun… that is until some spooky things start happening. Was that a face? What are those weird noises following Roger and Annabelle through the woods? A hidden note mentions “The Thing” - what could that possibly mean?

Ages: 6 - 10

Content Considerations: heck is said. Slightly mood book with spooky moments for younger kids.

[Melanie Martel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to young readers transitioning from picture books to chapter books. The language is simple which makes it a good read. It is a good mystery book for the kids.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though as an adult I found this book's plot and characters flat and not engaging, I would recommend this book to younger children because it is such a great one for young readers. The vocabulary and sentence structure of this book remains as simple as that found in picture books, but there is an actual plot that will engage children as they read. For that reason, I would especially recommend this book to young readers between 5 and 7 who are still transitioning from picture books to chapter books. The plot of this story is also exciting because it is centered around a curious mystery that children can relate to, so it will make them want to keep reading to find out what happens next, plus it will also engage their minds as they try to figure out the mystery for themselves. Overall, though I would not recommend this book to children who have progressed to normal chapter books, I definitely recommend this for reluctant or newer readers who need something simple but fun to get them jump-started.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!! -- Oh my goodness! What a great middle grade mystery! Despite its age, the story is not too obviously dated, and I love the illustrations. Roger & Anabelle Mayfair are moving out of town to the country. Their mom & dad bought a large white farmhouse and 23 acres of woodland. A creek runs through the property, and the previous owners also built a treehouse in one of the large trees off the dirt lane in the back. Roger, who is older than Anabelle's seven years of age, is sad about leaving town, his best friend, and the summer carnival that always comes. However, when he sees something moving in the window of the tree house as they slowly drive by it on their first visit, little does he know that he & Anabelle will be caught up in a rather creepy mystery, one that will make him forget missing town. This is so well done that I am incredibly sad to let it go. It has had four check outs, but the last was in 2016. It is in one local public library, but it is not AR. The most important reason to let it go, though, is its condition. Someone wrote 25 cents through the title on the cover, and I cannot erase it. Additionally, there are foxing spots sprinkled throughout the pages. Sigh. #12 in the 2026 Search & Purge bites the dust. I haven't kept any yet, but I am trying to walk the fiction shelves and select books based on spine appearance, so overall, it tracks.

[Rebecca Cecil · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book Roger and his sister Anabelle live in the city with their parents Mr. and Mrs. Mayfair. The parents decide to move the family to the country knowing the kids will lover all the woods on the property to play in. When the real-estate man takes them to see the property Roger and Anabelle are excited to see the tree house until Roger believes he seen something moving through in the tree house. After the family moves in the kids go off to explore the club house every time they go there weird things keep happening. Roger intends to solve the mystery of who or what is leaving notes in the tree house, who or what left bread crumbs, who are what's keeps coming to their tree house. He found a big footprint with 3 toes will Roger get to the bottom of this mystery?

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little Weekly Reader book. So reminiscent of simple times. The parents have been saving up all their married lives to get a home in the country. Now they have just bought one, with 23 acres, a creek, and a woods, and even a tree house! But there’s a mystery about that tree house! The big brother and his sister have a sweet relationship, and the parents are kind and participatory. The only beef I have with it is that the ending was a bit abrupt. The pictures are really expressive of the innocence of the children, and capture their feelings really well. I really liked this book; a quick read — a throwback to childhood — on a rainy afternoon.

[Katelin Krystowiak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. I would say the vocabulary is good for children first learning chapter books but the content would be too frightening for them. The children move to the country and enjoy exploring their new treehouse and stream until strange things start happening— a mysterious letter referring to The Thing and footprints show up. The girls doll mysteriously is found at the bottom of the treehouse. My early independent readers would find this too suspenseful.

Questionable language:

“Heck no!” is said once

[Charity Dušíková · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 7yo and 5yo found the set-up sufficiently spooky, so my 7yo insisted on stopping, and I finished the book by myself. Though its clear that this will be a gentle mystery, I was disappointed to find it belonged to the genre of "the mystery is people making fake footprints"-- an unfortunate genre that I encountered frequently as a child. Still, perhaps it could be a satisfying read to some children, as it has the magic of a private wood to play in and the trouble of moving out of town and away from the friends one knows.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roger and his family move from town to the wooded country. There is a tree house on their property, and Roger thinks he saw someone in the window of it as him and his family were inspecting the property with the real estate agent. As they get settled in their new home, Roger notices footprints by the creek, that only has three toes on the foot. Will Roger solve the mystery of the tree house?

[angelofmine1974 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story. It's about a family who moves out in the country and the kids are seeing strange things around their new treehouse. The illustrations throughout were great. The only annoying thing was the girl chanting everything... it got old really quick. I figured out the mystery and it had a nice ending.

[Gina House · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun mini adventure and mystery involving a sister, a brother and their tree house. This vintage hardcover book was wonderful to hold, with crinkly pages and charming illustrations. I think I enjoyed having the book in my hands even more than the story. But, overall, a quick and lively read, especially for middle grade aged children.

[Wintermote · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just fine for younger folk—nothing terribly exciting or high quality literature. A simple story off The child adjusting to a move out of town into the country and a possible “Thing” in their new treehouse. My preschooler certainly was engaged and walked to know what was going to happen next. She’s heard it twice now.

[WhatShouldIRead · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had this on the shelf for a long time and wanted to read before donating. Was an OK read, very juvenile so would probably suit the target audience well.

Nice little story, but I really can't say much more about it.

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is miscategorized. It ought to be under horror. it is terrifying for at LEAST six reasons, only two of which are intentional. This is not a book I would read to a child, even if I hated both the child AND the child's parents.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick fun read

[Reading with Cats · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lackluster children’s mystery. Nothing special.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

First chapter book read to just Trenton! Favorite part for me? He loved to smell the pages! 🤓 #oldbooks #booknerdinthemaking

[Jenny]

Read with Ad.

[Lafon Willis-Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun children's book

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good read. Mystery of a family buying a new house and what happens when they investigate the tree house on their property.

[Lynnea (Juv) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of suspense! Great book for your 3rd grade reader!

[Penny Hanover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for young kids.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute but too short

[Michael Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this when I was very young, first book that I was fully immersed in and had to finish!

[Crystal Beavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recognized this book when I saw it at a thrift shop. It was a favorite childhood book so I bought it. It was published in 1973. I loved reading it again!

[Super Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

While , this is not a stronger more detailed and scary story we can expect from Carole Beach York, this is a nice book for younger readers between 8 to 11 years old. Maybe a bit younger.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one from my child hood. Holds up pretty well. Family moves to the country side to a property with a tree house. Children find notes warning them to stay away, mysterious foot prints, strange sounds. SPOILER ALERT: it is the kids next door who don't want to give up their clubhouse. Perfect for an almost six-year old who is just beginning to love a good mystery story.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good kids book. It has mystery and suspense to get your kids on the edge of their seats.