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Stand Tall
A Los Angeles Times Book Review Best Children's Book of 2002
The Barnes & Noble Review
Acclaimed author Joan Bauer, author of the Newbery Honor book Hope Was Here, gives us a heartfelt look at courage and pride through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy, "the tallest seventh-grade boy in the history of Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School."
Tree, nicknamed for his towering six-foot, three-and-a-half-inch frame, is having a tough time finding reasons to "stand tall." Being one of the "nonathletic nobodies," unable to shoot a basket despite his height -- and with parents on less than friendly terms after their divorce
-- Tree feels out of place, with his inner strength at a dim flicker. After his Vietnam vet grandpa has part of his leg amputated and he meets a sure-footed (and unpopular) girl at school, Tree begins to discover that his sizable his body holds a pretty big heart. Yet when a flood hits the town and his old dog, Bradley, has a stroke, Tree uses his remarkable gifts to learn that "everything's got a purpose, really -- you just have to look for it."
Using themes of purpose and inspiration that are familiar to her fans, Bauer brings readers a journey inward through the character of a boy whose awkward feelings shadow the true stuff inside. Tree, with a solid and compassionate demeanor, is instantly likable, and the strength he uses to block life's curve balls will resonate with young readers, especially boys. A powerful read with emotions and layers that come together like the branches of an oak, Stand Tall is another Joan Bauer winner that will keep readers thinking. Matt Warner
182 pages, Hardcover
First published August 26, 2002
108 people are currently reading
1064 people want to read
About the author
Joan Bauer
26 books886 followersFrom: http://www.joanbauer.com/jbbio.html
July 12, 1951 - I was born at eleven A.M., a most reasonable time, my mother often said, and when the nurse put me in my mother's arms for the first time I had both a nasty case of the hiccups and no discernible forehead (it's since grown in). I've always believed in comic entrances.
As I grew up in River Forest, Illinois, in the 1950's, I seem to remember an early fascination with things that were funny. I thought that people who could make other people laugh were terribly fortunate. While my friends made their career plans, declaring they would become doctors, nurses, and lawyers, inwardly I knew that I wanted to be involved somehow in comedy. This, however, was a difficult concept to get across in first grade. But I had a mother with a great comic sense (she was a high school English teacher) and a grandmother who had been a funny professional storyteller, so I figured the right genes were in there somewhere, although I didn't always laugh at what my friends laughed at and they rarely giggled at my jokes. That, and the fact that I was overweight and very tall, all made me feel quite different when I was growing up--a bit like a musk ox at a tea party.
My grandmother, who I called Nana, had the biggest influence on me creatively. She taught me the importance of stories and laughter. She never said, "Now I'm going to tell you a funny story," she'd just tell a story, and the humor would naturally flow from it because of who she was and how she and her characters saw the world. She showed me the difference between derisive laughter that hurts others and laughter that comes from the heart. She showed me, too, that stories help us understand ourselves at a deep level. She was a keen observer of people.
I kept a diary as a child, was always penning stories and poems. I played the flute heartily, taught myself the guitar, and wrote folk songs. For years I wanted to be a comedienne, then a comedy writer. I was a voracious reader, too, and can still remember the dark wood and the green leather chairs of the River Forest Public Library, can hear my shoes tapping on the stairs going down to the children's room, can feel my fingers sliding across rows and rows of books, looking through the card catalogs that seemed to house everything that anyone would ever need to know about in the entire world. My parents divorced when I was eight years old, and I was devastated at the loss of my father. I pull from that memory regularly as a writer. Every book I have written so far has dealt with complex father issues. My dad was an alcoholic and the pain of that was a shadow that followed me for years, but I've learned things from that experience that have made me resilient. I attempted to address those issues in Rules of the Road, and I took them even further in the companion book, Best Foot Forward. The theme that I try to carry into all of my writing is this: adversity, if we let it, will make us stronger.
In my twenties, I worked in sales and advertising for the Chicago Tribune, McGraw-Hill, WLS Radio, and Parade Magazine. I met my husband Evan, a computer engineer, while I was on vacation. Our courtship was simple. He asked me to dance; I said no. We got married five months later in August, 1981. But I was not happy in advertising sales, and I had a few ulcers to prove it. With Evan's loving support, I decided to try my hand at professional writing. I wish I could say that everything started falling into place, but it was a slow, slow build -- writing newspaper and magazine articles for not much money. My daughter Jean was born in July of '82. She had the soul of a writer even as a baby. I can remember sitting at my typewriter (I didn't have a computer back then) writing away with Jean on a blanket on the floor next to me. If my writing was bad that day, I'd tear that page out of the typewriter and hand it to her. "Bad paper," I'd say and Jean would r
July 12, 1951 - I was born at eleven A.M., a most reasonable time, my mother often said, and when the nurse put me in my mother's arms for the first time I had both a nasty case of the hiccups and no discernible forehead (it's since grown in). I've always believed in comic entrances.
As I grew up in River Forest, Illinois, in the 1950's, I seem to remember an early fascination with things that were funny. I thought that people who could make other people laugh were terribly fortunate. While my friends made their career plans, declaring they would become doctors, nurses, and lawyers, inwardly I knew that I wanted to be involved somehow in comedy. This, however, was a difficult concept to get across in first grade. But I had a mother with a great comic sense (she was a high school English teacher) and a grandmother who had been a funny professional storyteller, so I figured the right genes were in there somewhere, although I didn't always laugh at what my friends laughed at and they rarely giggled at my jokes. That, and the fact that I was overweight and very tall, all made me feel quite different when I was growing up--a bit like a musk ox at a tea party.
My grandmother, who I called Nana, had the biggest influence on me creatively. She taught me the importance of stories and laughter. She never said, "Now I'm going to tell you a funny story," she'd just tell a story, and the humor would naturally flow from it because of who she was and how she and her characters saw the world. She showed me the difference between derisive laughter that hurts others and laughter that comes from the heart. She showed me, too, that stories help us understand ourselves at a deep level. She was a keen observer of people.
I kept a diary as a child, was always penning stories and poems. I played the flute heartily, taught myself the guitar, and wrote folk songs. For years I wanted to be a comedienne, then a comedy writer. I was a voracious reader, too, and can still remember the dark wood and the green leather chairs of the River Forest Public Library, can hear my shoes tapping on the stairs going down to the children's room, can feel my fingers sliding across rows and rows of books, looking through the card catalogs that seemed to house everything that anyone would ever need to know about in the entire world. My parents divorced when I was eight years old, and I was devastated at the loss of my father. I pull from that memory regularly as a writer. Every book I have written so far has dealt with complex father issues. My dad was an alcoholic and the pain of that was a shadow that followed me for years, but I've learned things from that experience that have made me resilient. I attempted to address those issues in Rules of the Road, and I took them even further in the companion book, Best Foot Forward. The theme that I try to carry into all of my writing is this: adversity, if we let it, will make us stronger.
In my twenties, I worked in sales and advertising for the Chicago Tribune, McGraw-Hill, WLS Radio, and Parade Magazine. I met my husband Evan, a computer engineer, while I was on vacation. Our courtship was simple. He asked me to dance; I said no. We got married five months later in August, 1981. But I was not happy in advertising sales, and I had a few ulcers to prove it. With Evan's loving support, I decided to try my hand at professional writing. I wish I could say that everything started falling into place, but it was a slow, slow build -- writing newspaper and magazine articles for not much money. My daughter Jean was born in July of '82. She had the soul of a writer even as a baby. I can remember sitting at my typewriter (I didn't have a computer back then) writing away with Jean on a blanket on the floor next to me. If my writing was bad that day, I'd tear that page out of the typewriter and hand it to her. "Bad paper," I'd say and Jean would r
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 289 reviews
April 26, 2021
My colleague read this novel with her secondary 1 students( grade 7) and I as a resource teacher would often read it one-on-one to a student in her class. Narrated by seventh-grader, Tree who must deal with being the tallest student in his school, his parent's divorce and his grandfather's memories in the Vietnam War. I felt it to be a heartwarming, coming-of-age story infused with some great humour from secondary characters.
Goodreads published 26/04/20
Goodreads published 26/04/20
February 9, 2025
First book of my challenge!!! [1/30]
I won’t write full length reviews for all the books I read but I might if I like one realllyyyy much. This was ok 👍 divorce, war, bullying were all the topics discussed but it didn’t make me feel much (only when the dog almost died) anyway here’s a quote:
“Never be a person who wants war—hate it with everything you've got. But if you've got to fight to protect people, try to do your job the best you know how. Protecting people is the only reason to ever fight.”
I won’t write full length reviews for all the books I read but I might if I like one realllyyyy much. This was ok 👍 divorce, war, bullying were all the topics discussed but it didn’t make me feel much (only when the dog almost died) anyway here’s a quote:
“Never be a person who wants war—hate it with everything you've got. But if you've got to fight to protect people, try to do your job the best you know how. Protecting people is the only reason to ever fight.”
July 3, 2009
Tree, whose name is actually Sam, is the tallest 7th grader in his class. Actually he's the tallest person in his entire school and he just seems to keep growing. While dealing with his parents' recent divorce, Tree works with his grandfather--helping him with his rehabilitation after having his leg amputated due to an injury he sustained in Vietnam. When Sophie, the strange new girl at school stands up to some popular girls, Tree realizes that he has to stand up for himself too, at home, at school and on the basketball team.
Caught in the middle of his parents' epic battle while struggling to deal with his own freakish abnormality, Tree draws strength and courage from his grandfather, his new friend Sohpie and even his aging dog Bradley. When catastrophe strikes his hometown, Tree might be the only one big enough to make a difference.
I have mixed feelings about this one. I loved Tree and his heart was even bigger than his height. I loved the discussion of his parents' attempts to provide a "normal" life for Tree despite their divorce and I loved Tree's relationship with his grandfather and the infinite wisdom his grandfather frequently shared with him. Also, Stand Tall has several quotable passages and Tree's school report on his grandfather is beautiful. However, the third person omniscent point of view threw the story off and made it hard to connect with Tree. Some of the symbolism goes a touch too far but that's a Jan Bauer specialty and from a teaching standpoint this is probably a positive for young adult readers. Since the perspective is primarily male, this would be a great read for both male and female young adults.
Caught in the middle of his parents' epic battle while struggling to deal with his own freakish abnormality, Tree draws strength and courage from his grandfather, his new friend Sohpie and even his aging dog Bradley. When catastrophe strikes his hometown, Tree might be the only one big enough to make a difference.
I have mixed feelings about this one. I loved Tree and his heart was even bigger than his height. I loved the discussion of his parents' attempts to provide a "normal" life for Tree despite their divorce and I loved Tree's relationship with his grandfather and the infinite wisdom his grandfather frequently shared with him. Also, Stand Tall has several quotable passages and Tree's school report on his grandfather is beautiful. However, the third person omniscent point of view threw the story off and made it hard to connect with Tree. Some of the symbolism goes a touch too far but that's a Jan Bauer specialty and from a teaching standpoint this is probably a positive for young adult readers. Since the perspective is primarily male, this would be a great read for both male and female young adults.
September 8, 2020
Deleted old review because it was 1) my first review ever, and 2) very bad.
This book works great as a fly swatter. It's thin and flexible, and good for rolling up and whacking bugs with. It can also be used as a coaster, hand towel, toilet paper, origami, a notebook, a sketchbook, weapon, frisbee, plate, cereal bowl, and welcome mat. 5/5, very useful household appliance.
The inside contents of this book are subpar at best. It was boring, and the plot was basically nonexistent. I read this in 2017, so I don't remember much, but it's not like there's anything to remember, as there's no plot. It was basically Tree whining about being tall. It was clear that the flood at the end was just a plot device used by Bauer to end the book. I don't hate this book anymore; I just don't care at all.
If you're interested, my old review was basically just "i cAn'T beLieVE mY sChOoL fOrCed mE tO rEaD tHiS", like, okay, stop whining.
This book works great as a fly swatter. It's thin and flexible, and good for rolling up and whacking bugs with. It can also be used as a coaster, hand towel, toilet paper, origami, a notebook, a sketchbook, weapon, frisbee, plate, cereal bowl, and welcome mat. 5/5, very useful household appliance.
The inside contents of this book are subpar at best. It was boring, and the plot was basically nonexistent. I read this in 2017, so I don't remember much, but it's not like there's anything to remember, as there's no plot. It was basically Tree whining about being tall. It was clear that the flood at the end was just a plot device used by Bauer to end the book. I don't hate this book anymore; I just don't care at all.
If you're interested, my old review was basically just "i cAn'T beLieVE mY sChOoL fOrCed mE tO rEaD tHiS", like, okay, stop whining.
July 14, 2017
If you like books with no plot, zero characterization, incomplete sentences, and one sentence paragraphs then this book is for you.
Save yourself $5 and just read the back cover of the book.
Here's the plot: a kid is 6'3 in the 7th grade. That's about it. How this "story" was made into a YA novel is beyond me.
Save yourself $5 and just read the back cover of the book.
Here's the plot: a kid is 6'3 in the 7th grade. That's about it. How this "story" was made into a YA novel is beyond me.
June 3, 2025
i haven’t been rating these childrens books for work but i hated this one so much i had to
the thought of teaching it to high school aged kids makes me feel ill
the thought of teaching it to high school aged kids makes me feel ill
November 25, 2021
3 stars.
"Do you know the secret to fighting a war? You've got to hold on to the things you know to be true, set your mind to a higher place, and fight like a dog to keep it there. War can be so fierce, you can forget the good. Forget what you're about in this world, what's really important. There's always going to be somebody who wants to try to make you forget it. Don't let them."
The first time I'd come across a Joan Bauer book was back when I was in elementary school. And it was exactly this book that I had seen in a tote filled with numerous other books waiting to be read. The cover is beautiful, eye catching as I remember when first seeing it. Though her books were popular, and were to be seen every where in school, I never gotten the chance to read any of her works until now. I own four books by Joan Bauer and 'Stand Tall' is the book I decided to read first to get a taste of what her story telling is like. As old as I am, I am at the point in my life where I know what kind of books I enjoy and which books that I don't. This book, however, was written oddly, but the story itself was wonderful.
There are many books out there in the world that are published and the writing is just unprofessional. As I was reading Joan's writing in 'Stand Tall', I couldn't help but feel the writing was odd. The story telling is there. The ideas are there. The characters are likable and are easy to follow along with. But what isn't there is a flow. There is no flow to the writing. No powerful wording to create action packed scenes and strong imagery. The dialogue is a bit awkward at times, including how the author directs it.
At one point the author goes from: "What is the purpose of war?" Tree asks.
to the following dialogue direction:
Dad: "That guy's a real turkey."
Grandpa: "He has sneaky eyes. I don't trust him."
And not to mention, I'm not sure if this is even a thing, but the writing felt "jumpy". The scenes go from one thing to the next rather quickly which interupts a steady flow. A story should feel relaxed, have a steady pace, and secure wording. Needless to say, the writing wasn't for me, but the characters definitely were.
The characters were the main reason why I continued to finish the story. I loved the characters. I enjoyed them. They have so much potential and I do hope that some day there may even be a sequel to this story where Sam (Tree) is all grown up heading off to college. I'm not sure what the future may hold for Sam, but I know it'll be something wonderful as this story is here. Sam is a likeable character. He's easy to connect with, especially when one has faced many challenges as he had. From bullying, to nearly losing a beloved pet, I, too, have faced serious flooding. Twice to be exact, and I had to be evacuated from my home quickly and stay with my aunt during that heartbreaking time. A week after the water resided, I was able to return home and do exactly what Sam and his family did: rebuild what was broken. The process they went through was the same I had gone through. But with hardwork, patience, and love, my parents and I rebuilt our home and have been back living in it since. You never know how rich you are in life until those riches are taken away from you. From those hard moments in my life have I learned to count my blessings.
Another thing I enjoyed having in common with Tree is the fact that we both have grandfathers who fought in the Vietnam war. My grandfather had faught and returned home, sadly losing a few of his fingers. Though I have never met my grandpa, I'm thankful to have met Sam's grandfather within these pages and learn so much powerful wisdom from him that I hope to take with me and remember throughout the days of my life. That's one of the most beautiful things I enjoy about reading. You can connect with a character(s) in any way with just about anything. A story can take you just about anywhere. To the future. Or to the past. And in this case, Joan Bauer had taken me back to the past. Though my past isn't something I enjoy looking back on, its nice to read about characters who have gone through so many similar things as you have. Even though the characters only live within these pages, they feel as real as you and I.
Despite the fact that the writing wasn't for me, it doesn't mean that it's not meant for everyone else. It is definitely meant to be for an younger audience, but I do believe everyone should read this novel at least once in their life. It is a gifted story, one worth remembering and keeping within their hearts. And with this being my first Joan Bauer novel, it certainly won't be my last. I'm looking forward to reading the next three books of hers on my shelf.
"Do you know the secret to fighting a war? You've got to hold on to the things you know to be true, set your mind to a higher place, and fight like a dog to keep it there. War can be so fierce, you can forget the good. Forget what you're about in this world, what's really important. There's always going to be somebody who wants to try to make you forget it. Don't let them."
The first time I'd come across a Joan Bauer book was back when I was in elementary school. And it was exactly this book that I had seen in a tote filled with numerous other books waiting to be read. The cover is beautiful, eye catching as I remember when first seeing it. Though her books were popular, and were to be seen every where in school, I never gotten the chance to read any of her works until now. I own four books by Joan Bauer and 'Stand Tall' is the book I decided to read first to get a taste of what her story telling is like. As old as I am, I am at the point in my life where I know what kind of books I enjoy and which books that I don't. This book, however, was written oddly, but the story itself was wonderful.
There are many books out there in the world that are published and the writing is just unprofessional. As I was reading Joan's writing in 'Stand Tall', I couldn't help but feel the writing was odd. The story telling is there. The ideas are there. The characters are likable and are easy to follow along with. But what isn't there is a flow. There is no flow to the writing. No powerful wording to create action packed scenes and strong imagery. The dialogue is a bit awkward at times, including how the author directs it.
At one point the author goes from: "What is the purpose of war?" Tree asks.
to the following dialogue direction:
Dad: "That guy's a real turkey."
Grandpa: "He has sneaky eyes. I don't trust him."
And not to mention, I'm not sure if this is even a thing, but the writing felt "jumpy". The scenes go from one thing to the next rather quickly which interupts a steady flow. A story should feel relaxed, have a steady pace, and secure wording. Needless to say, the writing wasn't for me, but the characters definitely were.
The characters were the main reason why I continued to finish the story. I loved the characters. I enjoyed them. They have so much potential and I do hope that some day there may even be a sequel to this story where Sam (Tree) is all grown up heading off to college. I'm not sure what the future may hold for Sam, but I know it'll be something wonderful as this story is here. Sam is a likeable character. He's easy to connect with, especially when one has faced many challenges as he had. From bullying, to nearly losing a beloved pet, I, too, have faced serious flooding. Twice to be exact, and I had to be evacuated from my home quickly and stay with my aunt during that heartbreaking time. A week after the water resided, I was able to return home and do exactly what Sam and his family did: rebuild what was broken. The process they went through was the same I had gone through. But with hardwork, patience, and love, my parents and I rebuilt our home and have been back living in it since. You never know how rich you are in life until those riches are taken away from you. From those hard moments in my life have I learned to count my blessings.
Another thing I enjoyed having in common with Tree is the fact that we both have grandfathers who fought in the Vietnam war. My grandfather had faught and returned home, sadly losing a few of his fingers. Though I have never met my grandpa, I'm thankful to have met Sam's grandfather within these pages and learn so much powerful wisdom from him that I hope to take with me and remember throughout the days of my life. That's one of the most beautiful things I enjoy about reading. You can connect with a character(s) in any way with just about anything. A story can take you just about anywhere. To the future. Or to the past. And in this case, Joan Bauer had taken me back to the past. Though my past isn't something I enjoy looking back on, its nice to read about characters who have gone through so many similar things as you have. Even though the characters only live within these pages, they feel as real as you and I.
Despite the fact that the writing wasn't for me, it doesn't mean that it's not meant for everyone else. It is definitely meant to be for an younger audience, but I do believe everyone should read this novel at least once in their life. It is a gifted story, one worth remembering and keeping within their hearts. And with this being my first Joan Bauer novel, it certainly won't be my last. I'm looking forward to reading the next three books of hers on my shelf.
January 9, 2026
Sam, aka Tree, has it rough at 12 years old. His parents had just divorced in a bitter joint custody and he has a growth spurt that makes him stand as tall as a tree for his age, earning the nickname Tree. If the tension with his folks weren't enough, his time trying to be a pro at basketball is not producing the results he hoped for. But time spent in helping his handicapped Grandfather and befriending the new girl, Sophie, will show Tree that there's much more to himself than he thinks.
Stand Tall is a coming of age novel. As with such novels, Tree experiences the end of innocence with the complications that comes with growing up. And for the most part, Tree, feels as if he's never good enough for anything: making it as a basketball player, brave enough to tell his parents the impact of their divorce, letalone stand up to the bullying he faces for his height. However, as he assists his Grandfather in his physical recovery & hangs with Sophie, he sticks up for them when they have their troubles. And through them does Tree gradually accept the inevitable changes that he hated but also grows into a teen who is on his own road of recovery to start anew. It's a decent story for any teen readers who may have their own similar experiences of divorce and bullying and how to find inner strength during the tough times.
Stand Tall is a coming of age novel. As with such novels, Tree experiences the end of innocence with the complications that comes with growing up. And for the most part, Tree, feels as if he's never good enough for anything: making it as a basketball player, brave enough to tell his parents the impact of their divorce, letalone stand up to the bullying he faces for his height. However, as he assists his Grandfather in his physical recovery & hangs with Sophie, he sticks up for them when they have their troubles. And through them does Tree gradually accept the inevitable changes that he hated but also grows into a teen who is on his own road of recovery to start anew. It's a decent story for any teen readers who may have their own similar experiences of divorce and bullying and how to find inner strength during the tough times.
June 10, 2019
Stand Tall is about a kid who's really tall for his age, and how he deals with that, his grandfather coming home with only one leg after being in the Vietnam war, and his parents' divorce.
It was okay. It annoyed me slightly how the author used so many "half sentences." It just didn't make it feel complete. It's just really weirdly written.
"Tree was standing in the hallway of Sophie's apartment. It was cramped and dark.
Piles of laundry all around.
Lassie, the iguana, in a cage on the dining room table.
Cats on the couch; cats in the hall.
Aunt Peach was chasing one of the cats that had just clawed the drapes."
Sophie was probably the most interesting character, but even she was sort of irritating at times with how bold she acted.
Any age can read this-it doesn't have swearing or sex.
I was thinking about DNFing this, because this year I don't really want to waste time reading books that don't hold my interest as much anymore. I didn't do that with this, but I did skim read at times.
It was okay. It annoyed me slightly how the author used so many "half sentences." It just didn't make it feel complete. It's just really weirdly written.
"Tree was standing in the hallway of Sophie's apartment. It was cramped and dark.
Piles of laundry all around.
Lassie, the iguana, in a cage on the dining room table.
Cats on the couch; cats in the hall.
Aunt Peach was chasing one of the cats that had just clawed the drapes."
Sophie was probably the most interesting character, but even she was sort of irritating at times with how bold she acted.
Any age can read this-it doesn't have swearing or sex.
I was thinking about DNFing this, because this year I don't really want to waste time reading books that don't hold my interest as much anymore. I didn't do that with this, but I did skim read at times.
September 25, 2025
I read this novel alongside a 7th grade class that I'm student teaching in. I have found some middle grade books interesting and very much enjoyed them, but this one fell very short for me. The writing is very elementary and the plot jumps all over the place. It also does not dive that deep. There are deep and heavy things going on, but they aren't addressed in the most emotionally effective way and left me wanting more.
May 25, 2024
Read for and with my ELA class. Solid metaphors abound in this story about how to break things down in order to build them up again. Tree is extremely tall for his age (12), thus the nickname. Yet, he is determined to not let his height be what defines him. The story explores his navigation through his parents’ divorce as well as his relationships with his grandpa, brothers and friends.
January 28, 2021
Good messages about accepting yourself and standing up for others, but not much action.
January 21, 2023
I was especially interested in reading this as the main character, a 12 year old boy, is 6'3 and I'm 5'11, and everyone expected him to be good at basketball, but if course he wasn't. Being tall is not enough for that. Tall people always get asked if they play basketball. That drives us insane!!!
January 25, 2018
My favorite sad-happy book writer Joan Bauer knows how to draw the reader into the life of a regular young person and teach such important life lessons. “Stand Tall” is not at the top of my list of Bauer winners, but it is well worth the time to read. Sam, known as Tree by absolutely everyone, is pretty ordinary in most ways: 7th grade, has a few friends, is searching for that something he’s really good at, lives with his dad and grandfather 1/2 the time and his mom the other half...normal middle school stuff. But he is the tallest person at his entire school, including his teachers! Bauer uses that realistic backdrop to model positive traits of determination, seeing the positive in bad situations, forgiving others and more. She has also created vivid characters that readers will love-Vietnam vet Grandpa who is a whiz at anything mechanical but must adapt to life without half his leg and spunky Sophie who knows how to stand up to mean girls and how to stand alongside a new friend in tough times. I found myself laughing more in this book than other Bauer novels but I teared up just as much as always and I certainly closed this one with the expected feeling of intense satisfaction. I highly recommend this one to students 5th grade and up, especially those who might be dealing with divorce or strong feelings of not fitting in due to some physical characteristic.
July 7, 2009
What a great kid (nicknamed Tree), theme (how life is like war) and overall story (friendship, service, acceptance and moving on). At first I was not liking the natural disaster bit, and wondered why it had to be there. But then I saw how it changed some things and it reminded me of the flood cleanup my hometown went through when I was 8 years old--not really aware of how hard that really was. This was a tender story with strength.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2013
Review in progress: As I read it. JoDean recommended this one and I like it already and I am only on page 5. So I am going to write what I find.
The book is about a 6' 3 1/2" 12 year old nick-named Tree (real name Sam). (My review is at the bottom.)
pg. 5 - ...being a tree is the best thing going in the plant world. People expect trees to be strong and steady and give good shade. Tallness is packed with great expectations.
pg. 7 - It was winter in his life, and not just because it was December.
pg. 10 - He looked at the empty wall where the big hutch used to be. His mother had taken it when she moved out. The shadow of where it had been remained. His dad said they were going to get a new hutch, but they hadn't yet. His dad said they were going to repaint the downstairs so the darkened places on the walls where the pictures had hung--the ones his mother took when she moved out--would be gone. They hadn't done that, either. Divorce casts so many shadows.
pg. 16 - "Lean on me, Grandpa." He did. Tree took the weight. If there was ever a reason to be a too-tall seventh-grader, it was so you could help your grandpa get walking again.
pg. 33 - (Grandpa on the Vietnam War) "The people who went to fight that war, for the most part did their best to fight an enemy that was harder to figure out and more dangerous than any of us knew. Most of us were kids--nineteen, twenty--I was twenty-five. We thought we'd kick butt and everything would be over fast. We'd win. We didn't win. I think we stayed too long and made some really bad mistakes. But we did t hings right, too. I think important things are worth fighting for, but there's nothing glorious about battles, nothing cool about holding a gun. It's scary and lonely, and too many people die young. never be a person who wants war--hate it with everything you've got. But if you've got to fight to protect people, try to do your job the best you know how. Protecting people is the only reason ever to fight."
pg. 37 - Occasionally something awful, like divorce, can have a good side.
pg.43 - (Grandpa after getting shot in the war.) "I wasn't strong enough to handle it," Grandpa said. "Then a chaplain came over, asked how I was doing. I told him. A nurse was calling him to come quick to the bed of a soldier hurt worse than me. But he grabbed my hand and said the shortest prayer. 'Lord, let this man's best years be ahead of him.' He ran to the other soldier's bed. But that prayer just stuck. I couldn't shake it. I got home a month later. I've never had much luck with the leg, but I say that prayer close to every day."
pg. 44 - House. He turned the word over in his mind. I'm going to my house. I'm going to my mother's house. House was a word he'd always taken for granted. He knew there was a big difference between a house and a home.
pg. 47 - "We're going to grab hold of the first rule of electrical power," Grandpa hollered. "You need a negative charge and a positive one to get something moving. We've got the negative, we're going to find the positive if it kills us."
pg. 57 - ...Some words and the way people say them are like grenades exploding on a battlefield. "Never try to outrun a grenade," said Grandpa. "Just leap away from it, hit the ground, and pray you're far enough away."
pg. 62 - It's funny how life gets so complicated, you don't get to do the things that makes you happy. You have to concentrate on the things that are expected.
pg. 71 - "Do you know the secret to fighting a war?...You've got to hold on to the things you know to be ture, set your mind to a higher place, and fight like a dog to keep it there. War can be so fierce, you can forget the good. Forget what you're about in this world, what's really important. There's always going to be somebody who wants to try to make you forget it. Don't let them."
pg. 73 - "It's rough around here now, I know...We've all lost a piece of ourselves. War does that---it blows things up and leaves an empty place where something important used to be."
pg. 78 - "You've gotta laugh. If you don't, you'll cry."
pg. 96 - That's the thing about winter--it's so easy to forget about the other seasons--it never seems like it will end.
pg. 110 - "Every friend I lost, I still carry in my heart. The paratroopers do it right. They put out an empty boot when one of them dies--no one can fill that shoe. We hear about casualties on the new--114 dead. Two murdered. Over three thousand killed. Numbers don't tell the story. You can't measure the loss of a human life. It's all the things a person was, all their dreams, all the people who loved them, all they hoped to be and could give back to the world. A million moments in a life cut short because of war."
pg. 112 - "Endless bad weather makes you not care much about anything."
pg. 119 - "Sometimes you've got to shout the truth and wake people up." "Sophie, I like to think that truth doesn't need to be shoved down people's throats." "In eighth grade, Aunt Peace, truth needs all the help it can get."
pg. 151 - "It's going to be a long night, folks. Whatever you've learned about getting through hard times, I hope you'll share with the people around you...it's easy at a time like this to remember all the things we've left behind, but what this town has--the most important part of it--is sitting right here in this place."
pg. 155 - You've got to welcome people back when they've been through a war.
pg.161 - The giant oak tree began to bud five days after the flood. Birds were chirping in its branches. Not one limb was out of place. Benches were upended, lesser trees snapped in two. It makes you appreciate a serious root system; roots planted so deep in the ground, holding steady against the storm.
pg. 172 - You've got to be patient to fix a thing right.
pg. 177 - ...we're all fighting a war whether we know it or not--a war for our minds and souls and what we believe in.
pg. 179 - "We're all just ordinary heroes..."
pg. 181 - "I can stop the wind, maybe."
pg. 182 - Tree looked at his grandpa, and he could see the face of war and peace right there, backlit by the sun.
pg. 182 - Everything's got a purpose, really--you just have to look for it.
This was a great book and an easy read. It isn't so much about how tall Tree is but more about analogies in life that keep us moving on and learning. The largest number of life lessons or parables come from Tree's grandpa who fought in the Vietnam War and lost his leg.
It is also great story about how to live through hard things and come out nicely on the other side.
The book is about a 6' 3 1/2" 12 year old nick-named Tree (real name Sam). (My review is at the bottom.)
pg. 5 - ...being a tree is the best thing going in the plant world. People expect trees to be strong and steady and give good shade. Tallness is packed with great expectations.
pg. 7 - It was winter in his life, and not just because it was December.
pg. 10 - He looked at the empty wall where the big hutch used to be. His mother had taken it when she moved out. The shadow of where it had been remained. His dad said they were going to get a new hutch, but they hadn't yet. His dad said they were going to repaint the downstairs so the darkened places on the walls where the pictures had hung--the ones his mother took when she moved out--would be gone. They hadn't done that, either. Divorce casts so many shadows.
pg. 16 - "Lean on me, Grandpa." He did. Tree took the weight. If there was ever a reason to be a too-tall seventh-grader, it was so you could help your grandpa get walking again.
pg. 33 - (Grandpa on the Vietnam War) "The people who went to fight that war, for the most part did their best to fight an enemy that was harder to figure out and more dangerous than any of us knew. Most of us were kids--nineteen, twenty--I was twenty-five. We thought we'd kick butt and everything would be over fast. We'd win. We didn't win. I think we stayed too long and made some really bad mistakes. But we did t hings right, too. I think important things are worth fighting for, but there's nothing glorious about battles, nothing cool about holding a gun. It's scary and lonely, and too many people die young. never be a person who wants war--hate it with everything you've got. But if you've got to fight to protect people, try to do your job the best you know how. Protecting people is the only reason ever to fight."
pg. 37 - Occasionally something awful, like divorce, can have a good side.
pg.43 - (Grandpa after getting shot in the war.) "I wasn't strong enough to handle it," Grandpa said. "Then a chaplain came over, asked how I was doing. I told him. A nurse was calling him to come quick to the bed of a soldier hurt worse than me. But he grabbed my hand and said the shortest prayer. 'Lord, let this man's best years be ahead of him.' He ran to the other soldier's bed. But that prayer just stuck. I couldn't shake it. I got home a month later. I've never had much luck with the leg, but I say that prayer close to every day."
pg. 44 - House. He turned the word over in his mind. I'm going to my house. I'm going to my mother's house. House was a word he'd always taken for granted. He knew there was a big difference between a house and a home.
pg. 47 - "We're going to grab hold of the first rule of electrical power," Grandpa hollered. "You need a negative charge and a positive one to get something moving. We've got the negative, we're going to find the positive if it kills us."
pg. 57 - ...Some words and the way people say them are like grenades exploding on a battlefield. "Never try to outrun a grenade," said Grandpa. "Just leap away from it, hit the ground, and pray you're far enough away."
pg. 62 - It's funny how life gets so complicated, you don't get to do the things that makes you happy. You have to concentrate on the things that are expected.
pg. 71 - "Do you know the secret to fighting a war?...You've got to hold on to the things you know to be ture, set your mind to a higher place, and fight like a dog to keep it there. War can be so fierce, you can forget the good. Forget what you're about in this world, what's really important. There's always going to be somebody who wants to try to make you forget it. Don't let them."
pg. 73 - "It's rough around here now, I know...We've all lost a piece of ourselves. War does that---it blows things up and leaves an empty place where something important used to be."
pg. 78 - "You've gotta laugh. If you don't, you'll cry."
pg. 96 - That's the thing about winter--it's so easy to forget about the other seasons--it never seems like it will end.
pg. 110 - "Every friend I lost, I still carry in my heart. The paratroopers do it right. They put out an empty boot when one of them dies--no one can fill that shoe. We hear about casualties on the new--114 dead. Two murdered. Over three thousand killed. Numbers don't tell the story. You can't measure the loss of a human life. It's all the things a person was, all their dreams, all the people who loved them, all they hoped to be and could give back to the world. A million moments in a life cut short because of war."
pg. 112 - "Endless bad weather makes you not care much about anything."
pg. 119 - "Sometimes you've got to shout the truth and wake people up." "Sophie, I like to think that truth doesn't need to be shoved down people's throats." "In eighth grade, Aunt Peace, truth needs all the help it can get."
pg. 151 - "It's going to be a long night, folks. Whatever you've learned about getting through hard times, I hope you'll share with the people around you...it's easy at a time like this to remember all the things we've left behind, but what this town has--the most important part of it--is sitting right here in this place."
pg. 155 - You've got to welcome people back when they've been through a war.
pg.161 - The giant oak tree began to bud five days after the flood. Birds were chirping in its branches. Not one limb was out of place. Benches were upended, lesser trees snapped in two. It makes you appreciate a serious root system; roots planted so deep in the ground, holding steady against the storm.
pg. 172 - You've got to be patient to fix a thing right.
pg. 177 - ...we're all fighting a war whether we know it or not--a war for our minds and souls and what we believe in.
pg. 179 - "We're all just ordinary heroes..."
pg. 181 - "I can stop the wind, maybe."
pg. 182 - Tree looked at his grandpa, and he could see the face of war and peace right there, backlit by the sun.
pg. 182 - Everything's got a purpose, really--you just have to look for it.
This was a great book and an easy read. It isn't so much about how tall Tree is but more about analogies in life that keep us moving on and learning. The largest number of life lessons or parables come from Tree's grandpa who fought in the Vietnam War and lost his leg.
It is also great story about how to live through hard things and come out nicely on the other side.
October 15, 2018
Stand Tall Book Review
By Trey McNicholas
Book by: Joan Bauer
Tree, a boy who is six feet tall in middle school. Everyone expects him to be amazing at basketball, but he is not and he does not like basketball. He is even getting bullied, Tree’s parents are divorced and he has to find a way to get use to switching between his mom and dad’s houses each week.
Stand Tall has a message of being yourself. Tree was being bullied for being really tall by a bully at school, and at home everyone expected him to be good at basketball. Tree had to face the problem of not liking basketball and not being good at it, he had to face the bully, and had to face switching between his mom and dad’s houses every week. The genere of this book is realistic fiction, this is realistic fiction because Trees story is not real but could happen in real life.Tree has a internal problem of his parents divorce, this is internal because only he can see that he is sad not anyone else.Tree gets made fun of by a bully for being tall, this problem is between two characters making it external.
I really do like this book, I like how it shows you what happens to people who aren’t normal. If you aren’t normal this shows you that you need to be yourself and don’t worry what other people think. This book really does make you smile and makes you wonder about the end. I recommend this book to people who are all ages, and any gender. Everyone needs to read this book, it has no inappropriate things in it, it is not just for boys or just for girls. Most important it shows you a story of bullying, what any age or gender should read
By Trey McNicholas
Book by: Joan Bauer
Tree, a boy who is six feet tall in middle school. Everyone expects him to be amazing at basketball, but he is not and he does not like basketball. He is even getting bullied, Tree’s parents are divorced and he has to find a way to get use to switching between his mom and dad’s houses each week.
Stand Tall has a message of being yourself. Tree was being bullied for being really tall by a bully at school, and at home everyone expected him to be good at basketball. Tree had to face the problem of not liking basketball and not being good at it, he had to face the bully, and had to face switching between his mom and dad’s houses every week. The genere of this book is realistic fiction, this is realistic fiction because Trees story is not real but could happen in real life.Tree has a internal problem of his parents divorce, this is internal because only he can see that he is sad not anyone else.Tree gets made fun of by a bully for being tall, this problem is between two characters making it external.
I really do like this book, I like how it shows you what happens to people who aren’t normal. If you aren’t normal this shows you that you need to be yourself and don’t worry what other people think. This book really does make you smile and makes you wonder about the end. I recommend this book to people who are all ages, and any gender. Everyone needs to read this book, it has no inappropriate things in it, it is not just for boys or just for girls. Most important it shows you a story of bullying, what any age or gender should read
July 2, 2023
You know, I read this two days ago, but I'm already thinking of it with the kind of nostalgia I feel for childhood favorites. How did I only read ONE of Bauer's novels when I was the appropriate age for it?
As a storyteller, Bauer takes simple, common experiences and always finds profound ways to express them. Her protagonists often have a firm philosophy they use to make sense of the world and come to understand it. In this case, "Tree" is so nicknamed because of his extraordinary height--over 6 feet at 12 years old. His parents have (just? recently?) divorced, although his older brothers are away at school and have not experienced the back-and-forth of changing houses regularly. As for Tree's personal philosophy, his grandfather, a Vietnam vet, constantly espouses hard-won wisdom about the world and our ways of moving through it, and Tree soaks that up. (As a note: this book does not delve into PTSD or graphic descriptions.)
Bauer skillfully infuses so much more growth and meaning and warmth into that situation in the few months we, the readers, follow Tree. His unusual height makes Tree stick out, and Bauer's writing felt so loving as he struggled to conceptualize what his 6-foot frame means for the way he moves through the world. I have always been drawn to novels exploring that period of self-actualization and self-acceptance that comes with the transition into teenagerhood, and if you enjoy those same types of stories, I highly recommend this book.
As a storyteller, Bauer takes simple, common experiences and always finds profound ways to express them. Her protagonists often have a firm philosophy they use to make sense of the world and come to understand it. In this case, "Tree" is so nicknamed because of his extraordinary height--over 6 feet at 12 years old. His parents have (just? recently?) divorced, although his older brothers are away at school and have not experienced the back-and-forth of changing houses regularly. As for Tree's personal philosophy, his grandfather, a Vietnam vet, constantly espouses hard-won wisdom about the world and our ways of moving through it, and Tree soaks that up. (As a note: this book does not delve into PTSD or graphic descriptions.)
Bauer skillfully infuses so much more growth and meaning and warmth into that situation in the few months we, the readers, follow Tree. His unusual height makes Tree stick out, and Bauer's writing felt so loving as he struggled to conceptualize what his 6-foot frame means for the way he moves through the world. I have always been drawn to novels exploring that period of self-actualization and self-acceptance that comes with the transition into teenagerhood, and if you enjoy those same types of stories, I highly recommend this book.
January 2, 2020
Again Joan Bauer gives us a character who is kind, responsible, caring and kind of stands out among his peers. At over 6 feet tall at 12 years old, Tree can't hide. Dealing with his parents recent divorce, his grandfather's Vietnam War wounds, older brothers he can't live up to even though he towers over them and a strange new girl who takes an interest in him, Tree is very busy. Advice from his kindhearted grandfather keeps Tree going through all the turmoil around him. I love how Joan Bauer portrays teens as ore intelligent than their years, responsible human being who can be trusted and counted on by the scatterbrained adults around them. Tree has the qualities any parent would be proud of in their child but Tree doesn't know he has that going on...he feels awkward and uncomfortable a lot of the time but when he trusts his own judgement he shines. This was a feel good, inspirational book as many of Joan Bauer's books are. She can really capture teenagers in a new light showing what they can contribute to society, their family and community if everyone will just listen and open their eyes.
September 11, 2018
STAND TALL by Joan Bauer. The story takes place in his whole town. Tree is the main character. He is called tree because he’s really tall for his age. His two older brothers Larry and Curtis. His grandpa and his parents.
A boy who really stands out because he’s tall. He doesn’t like people judging him he is basically trying to figure himself more when the story goes on. His grandpa is have a major surgery and his parents are getting a divorce so he’s under a lot of different emotional problems.
The way the book ended was really good. The ending was good because it summed everything up perfectly. My favorite part of the book was when tree met Sophie’s dad and he thought tree was way older than 12 because of his height.
People who may like this book would probably be people who like reading diary of a wimpy kid. This relates to it in way but it has a more serious tone. I felt like this book almost had to much emotional issues but it was still a good book to read.
A boy who really stands out because he’s tall. He doesn’t like people judging him he is basically trying to figure himself more when the story goes on. His grandpa is have a major surgery and his parents are getting a divorce so he’s under a lot of different emotional problems.
The way the book ended was really good. The ending was good because it summed everything up perfectly. My favorite part of the book was when tree met Sophie’s dad and he thought tree was way older than 12 because of his height.
People who may like this book would probably be people who like reading diary of a wimpy kid. This relates to it in way but it has a more serious tone. I felt like this book almost had to much emotional issues but it was still a good book to read.
October 15, 2018
Ever had a big change in your life due to divorce? I read the book Stand Tall by Joan Bauer. This book is a realistic fiction book about a tall 7th grader called Tree. He was living with his father and grandpa after a hard divorce. His brother Larry and Curtis would sometimes visit from college. Other than that he lives a normal life. He goes to middle school, has friends, and lives in a decent house. There are two types of conflict when Tree fights with himself trying to see if he wants to do sports or not. That was character vs self. Another type was character vs nature when Tree’s house has been destroyed by a flood he tries to remake it before it gets demolished.
I kinda liked the book. It talks about a kid in middle school- nothing much. He’s just living his life that’s basically it. I would recommend this to anyone who has gone through a divorce, or anyone in middle school. It talks about how Tree is handling a divorce while he is in middle school.
I kinda liked the book. It talks about a kid in middle school- nothing much. He’s just living his life that’s basically it. I would recommend this to anyone who has gone through a divorce, or anyone in middle school. It talks about how Tree is handling a divorce while he is in middle school.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2021
Stand Tall by Joan Bauer
Tree had always been bullied since the fourth grade for his “Vast” height.
He had always pictured himself as a tree, that is why he named himself.
Tree has had a hard childhood with his parents divorcing, and his mom always traveling.
Stand Tall was written with a different kind of structure, the author mainly related towards divorcing problems and so on. This book was also targeted on the fact of how exactly tall Tree was. Overall, I liked this book, it was not the best book I have ever read but it was good. I thought the book would have been more about bullying or something like that based on the summary on the back of the book. But as I was reading it, it was about overcoming sad thoughts and pushing through to reach their goals.
Tree had always been bullied since the fourth grade for his “Vast” height.
He had always pictured himself as a tree, that is why he named himself.
Tree has had a hard childhood with his parents divorcing, and his mom always traveling.
Stand Tall was written with a different kind of structure, the author mainly related towards divorcing problems and so on. This book was also targeted on the fact of how exactly tall Tree was. Overall, I liked this book, it was not the best book I have ever read but it was good. I thought the book would have been more about bullying or something like that based on the summary on the back of the book. But as I was reading it, it was about overcoming sad thoughts and pushing through to reach their goals.
March 13, 2025
As a grown-up child of divorce, I resonated with the pain Tree and his brothers are feeling. It's hard enough to be in junior high (which is a special drama all its own), but to be twelve and 6'3"—your peers are either jealous of your height, so they bully you because they wish they were also tall, or they look at you like you're a freak. Strike one. Regardless of crazy height and strength, close to zero athletic prowess, strike two. Now you have to move back and forth between houses - (which one is yours?) Do you have two of everything so you don't have to worry about forgetting stuff? And no matter what, one parent is sad because you’re not with them. Strike three. Joan does a beautiful job showing us the difficult things of a family split apart and yet shows the beauty of working through hard issues.
October 24, 2016
I quite liked this book. The author, Joan Bauer, wrote about a 7th grade boy with an intriguing trait : He is over 6 feet tall! Out of all of the different themes that I found throughout the text, one stood out to me. The theme about overcoming adversity. The main character, and some of the other characters surrounding him, face numerous problems throughout the story, such as a divorce, bullying, a flood, and many others. However, it's what the characters did to overcome these issues that teach the life lesson in the story. The characters persevere "through thick and thin". Even when things get rough, they keep going, teaching/showing readers how to overcome adversity and not let it drag you down.
April 7, 2018
I really, really enjoyed this book! Tree's character came across as realistic and his struggle with his identity in the midst of his parents' divorce and the regular trials of middle school was well done. There were a few overly sappy moments (I don't think dogs miraculously get better when they see a cat to bark at), but Joan Bauer sprinkles them in with some of the cleverest writing I've come across in a YA book. I don't know that I love the ending, but the themes she covered and the respect with which she treated them was nice. Sophie was probably the least believable of the characters, but it worked for some reason. Overall, a good book and one that I'd encourage younger readers to take on.
November 1, 2017
Tree is unusually tall for his age....hence, his nickname. At 12 years of age, he is dealing with his parent's divorce, moving to a new house with his mom, his grandfather's health, and in the mix of it all, a flood that ravishes his town and home.
Somewhat bullied because of his height, he finds a friend in Sophie who is not the most popular kid. Bolstering each other up, they find a way to deal with all the issues. And, they get passed all the ugliness that happens in life and begin to find the goodness.
Stand Tall has likable characters, a plausible plot, and realistic lessons. Not one of Bauer's best, yet it will resonate with some kids.
Somewhat bullied because of his height, he finds a friend in Sophie who is not the most popular kid. Bolstering each other up, they find a way to deal with all the issues. And, they get passed all the ugliness that happens in life and begin to find the goodness.
Stand Tall has likable characters, a plausible plot, and realistic lessons. Not one of Bauer's best, yet it will resonate with some kids.
June 23, 2018
3.2 Star
An unusual 6'3 1/2 teenager nickname Tree. Sam (Tree) was going through a rough patch in his middle school years. Just like all teenager. Parents Divorce, Flood, Acceptance, dog passing. He struggle to understand his world and how to get through it. He wise Vietnam grandfather guide he with words of wisdom from his experience from the war.
This book was for a typical teenage that was going through rough patch at home and school. This book was ok. It was simple and predictable. This book has great quotes.
An unusual 6'3 1/2 teenager nickname Tree. Sam (Tree) was going through a rough patch in his middle school years. Just like all teenager. Parents Divorce, Flood, Acceptance, dog passing. He struggle to understand his world and how to get through it. He wise Vietnam grandfather guide he with words of wisdom from his experience from the war.
This book was for a typical teenage that was going through rough patch at home and school. This book was ok. It was simple and predictable. This book has great quotes.
August 10, 2022
Read with my 11 yo for her school Summer Reading Challenge. This book was the required reading for the 6th grade, plus two supplemental readings about Muhammed Ali and Hurricane Katrina, both of which somewhat tied into this book. Honestly, it was a very hard book to read. I know the author wrote it this way but sentences written oddly (hard to explain). This made it more difficult to read out loud. The story was good, but often hard to meld one subject in one chapter to another subject in a different chapter. Good but odd. That's all I got on this one.
October 9, 2022
I wouldn't normally pick this book up, but my daughter was reading it for her English class at school, so I decided to read it to gain insight into what they are reading. At times I found the book very juvenile (it is written for that age though), but by the end of the book, I found that it had so many lessons and deep thoughts. The book addresses some hard life topics, and through the main character, many lessons and ideas are presented. I would love to sit in a discussion on the book and here the understanding and parallels that can be drawn.
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