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The Mulberry Tree
Do naught wrong by the mulberry tree, or she'll take your daughters ... one, two, three.Ten-year-old Immy and her family run away from their storm cloud of problems to a tiny village in Cambridgeshire, England. When they find an adorable thatched cottage to begin a perfect new life in, the only downside is the ancient, dark and fierce-looking mulberry tree in the back garden. And the legend that comes with it - the villagers say the tree steals away girls living in the cottage on the eve of their eleventh birthday. Of course, Immy thinks this is ridiculous. Then she starts to hear a strange song in her head ...
Allison Rushby's new novel for middle-grade readers is a captivating, spooky mystery.
Allison Rushby's new novel for middle-grade readers is a captivating, spooky mystery.
292 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2018
18 people are currently reading
555 people want to read
About the author
Allison Rushby
44 books291 followersAllison Rushby adores cities with long, winding histories; wild, overgrown cemeteries; redbrick Victorian museums; foxes; tea; and ivy. She lives in Queensland, Australia.
http://www.allisonrushby.com.
http://www.allisonrushby.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
July 2, 2020
If you like creepy mg fantasy in English villages, and stories of new kids plunged both into the stress of making friends and having to cope with potentially fatal magical threats, you'll enjoy this one as much as I did! I got a bit hung up by the ending, which stretched my personal boundaries of what I'm willing to accept a magical tree can do, but I did like the book as a whole very much!
Read
August 8, 2018Review to come, but in the meantime...
There was a lot of telling here, plus clunky dialogue, typos, and errors seemed to increase towards the end like it wasn't given the same level of editing or proofreading as the rest... There were things that didn't seem to make entirely logical sense, but made things in the plot easier or more significant...
These are not things that will bother the target age group so much as they did this thirty-something qualified editor.
BUT.
It had a really nice full-circle feeling, and themes of forgiveness, family, and the appreciation of all life. This appreciation of life will hit home for kids of the target age who are at that point in their lives where they feel a consciousness in all things.
There was a lot of telling here, plus clunky dialogue, typos, and errors seemed to increase towards the end like it wasn't given the same level of editing or proofreading as the rest... There were things that didn't seem to make entirely logical sense, but made things in the plot easier or more significant...
These are not things that will bother the target age group so much as they did this thirty-something qualified editor.
BUT.
It had a really nice full-circle feeling, and themes of forgiveness, family, and the appreciation of all life. This appreciation of life will hit home for kids of the target age who are at that point in their lives where they feel a consciousness in all things.
November 10, 2019
Book #4 for Believathon for prompt #6 - Read an atmospheric or creepy book.
"Do naught wrong by the mulberry tree, or she'll take your daughters ... one, two, three."
I initially picked up this book for the "creepy" prompt for Believathon, after reading the decription, but it turned out to be so much more! I was so surprised, because The Mulbery Tree touched upon some important real-life issues, such as depression and guilt of a parent, from the child's point of view. I thought that it was handled very well and portrayed realistically. On top of that, the whole mystery was both interesting and sad, and made for a quite bittersweet ending.
I do genuinely think it's one of the more interesting and best middle-grade books that I've recently read. It might seem unassuming at first, but the story quickly drew me in and I enjoyed it till the very last page.
"Do naught wrong by the mulberry tree, or she'll take your daughters ... one, two, three."
I initially picked up this book for the "creepy" prompt for Believathon, after reading the decription, but it turned out to be so much more! I was so surprised, because The Mulbery Tree touched upon some important real-life issues, such as depression and guilt of a parent, from the child's point of view. I thought that it was handled very well and portrayed realistically. On top of that, the whole mystery was both interesting and sad, and made for a quite bittersweet ending.
I do genuinely think it's one of the more interesting and best middle-grade books that I've recently read. It might seem unassuming at first, but the story quickly drew me in and I enjoyed it till the very last page.
September 17, 2020
The creepy rhyme (as well as that cover) made me pick this book up, wanting a good autumnal read. Set at the end of summer, it does have a decent creepy feel… making it the perfect read for this time of year.
Immy moves with her parents from Australia to an English village for a year. They find the perfect house… with an evil, magical tree in the garden. It has already made two girls disappear on the eve of their eleventh birthday, and Immy is turning 11 in less than a month. She makes it her mission to find out what has happened to the girls.
But it is also the story of Immy going to a new school in a new country, making new friends (while being the girl that lives with the creepy tree). And it is a story of family, what for me was probably the strongest part of this book.
Immy’s father struggles with depression. Seeing this through the eyes of his daughter, and Immy trying to find a way to deal with it was handled very well and is what really made this an interesting read for me.
The ending didn’t really work for me. It took the magic of the tree a bit too far, and I don’t see the need for it. Also, the genetics in it make no sense at all (though the target audience probably wouldn’t be too bothered about it).
Overall this was a decent read. The happy ending came about a bit too easy for my liking, skipping some potential creepiness, and the conclusion was just unnecessary. But I did enjoy and appreciate the look at mental illness, guilt and forgiveness.
Immy moves with her parents from Australia to an English village for a year. They find the perfect house… with an evil, magical tree in the garden. It has already made two girls disappear on the eve of their eleventh birthday, and Immy is turning 11 in less than a month. She makes it her mission to find out what has happened to the girls.
But it is also the story of Immy going to a new school in a new country, making new friends (while being the girl that lives with the creepy tree). And it is a story of family, what for me was probably the strongest part of this book.
Immy’s father struggles with depression. Seeing this through the eyes of his daughter, and Immy trying to find a way to deal with it was handled very well and is what really made this an interesting read for me.
The ending didn’t really work for me. It took the magic of the tree a bit too far, and I don’t see the need for it. Also, the genetics in it make no sense at all (though the target audience probably wouldn’t be too bothered about it).
Overall this was a decent read. The happy ending came about a bit too easy for my liking, skipping some potential creepiness, and the conclusion was just unnecessary. But I did enjoy and appreciate the look at mental illness, guilt and forgiveness.
Read
October 9, 2020Nie tylko dla młodszych czytelników, zdecydowanie, choć to głównie im polecam tę książkę. Szalenie podoba mi się w niej kreacja rodziny głównej bohaterki. Nic nie jest czarno białe w historii Imogen i jej rodziców, którzy z Australii przeprowadzają się do wioski pod Cambridge. Mały domek, który wynajmują, wydaje się być idealny. No, może poza tą morwą za oknem. No i czy przerażeni mieszkańcy mają rację, twierdząc, że niespełna 11 letniej Imogen grozi niebezpieczeństwo? Megaśnie polecam, ja się świetnie bawiłam! (Okay, i może troszkę bałam hihi).
April 5, 2020
Out of all the genres and subgenres I enjoy, spooky and haunting middle grade stories are among my absolute favorites. Within them are narratives that invite the child in you to be a little scared and spooked, but without being too gory or graphic. Similar to Agatha Christie using poems to help add eerieness to her mysteries such as she did in The Crooked House and Then There Were None, the author of The Mulberry Tree helps set the tone by a poem/song the kids sing when they don’t think the adults are around – a very chilling poem on how the tree will ‘take your daughters…one, two, three.'
The Mulberry Tree tells the story of a small family moving to the UK from Australia. Like most families who move, they need to find a place to live. After every house they look at doesn’t quite feel right they spot one that one that the realtor didn’t want to show them, but seems to have everything they could want. The problem? The mulberry tree in the yard has previously taken two girls on the eve of their 11th birthdays – the girls were never to be seen again. Obviously, to the family moving in this is just ancient folklore because trees do not take children, but to everyone else in the town this is very, very real.
In the end, I didn’t feel as many spooks as I had hoped, and never felt a great sense of trepidation, but I am also not the target audience. But while the main narrative is about a restless tree, it is also a story about guilt, depression, and forgiveness that was handled very well and added quite a bit of heart to the story. And as the story concludes you feel very satisfied as a reader.
Rating: 4 stars
The Mulberry Tree tells the story of a small family moving to the UK from Australia. Like most families who move, they need to find a place to live. After every house they look at doesn’t quite feel right they spot one that one that the realtor didn’t want to show them, but seems to have everything they could want. The problem? The mulberry tree in the yard has previously taken two girls on the eve of their 11th birthdays – the girls were never to be seen again. Obviously, to the family moving in this is just ancient folklore because trees do not take children, but to everyone else in the town this is very, very real.
In the end, I didn’t feel as many spooks as I had hoped, and never felt a great sense of trepidation, but I am also not the target audience. But while the main narrative is about a restless tree, it is also a story about guilt, depression, and forgiveness that was handled very well and added quite a bit of heart to the story. And as the story concludes you feel very satisfied as a reader.
Rating: 4 stars
February 10, 2021
TW: Depression
Do naught wrong by the mulberry tree, or she'll take your daughters ... one, two, three
After reading this sentence, I just had to read this book; my curiosity got the best of me and I'm so glad it did.
This is an addictive "little" story, with compelling characters that felt very real. People who have real problems and who decide to move from Australia to UK, and end up living in a house infamous for having an evil tree in the backyard! o_O
Who hasn't one of those, right?
(...)
Well I mustn't have one or they would have taken my father by now; awful creature that he is.
-__- But I digress:
So, crisp story telling, compelling characters and a "what the hell is going on with that tree?"
I must say that the tree portrayal is very stereotypical of evil trees... trends?
She's dark and moody and prone to anger fits; aka the usual.
The last part is where things get more tricky on how to properly categorize this story. I was left a "little" WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?! *hysterical laughter*
Is it magical realism? Horror? Sci-fi? Fantasy?
All of the above, maybe? IDK.
The ending was a little too neat for me, but I'm used to Alice Hoffman killing almost all of her characters, so it was nice for a change to read something vastly different, lol
Also I'm not the intended audience and the author probably didn't want to traumatize her younger readers. So, yay :D
Do naught wrong by the mulberry tree, or she'll take your daughters ... one, two, three
After reading this sentence, I just had to read this book; my curiosity got the best of me and I'm so glad it did.
This is an addictive "little" story, with compelling characters that felt very real. People who have real problems and who decide to move from Australia to UK, and end up living in a house infamous for having an evil tree in the backyard! o_O
Who hasn't one of those, right?
(...)
Well I mustn't have one or they would have taken my father by now; awful creature that he is.
-__- But I digress:
So, crisp story telling, compelling characters and a "what the hell is going on with that tree?"
I must say that the tree portrayal is very stereotypical of evil trees... trends?
She's dark and moody and prone to anger fits; aka the usual.
The last part is where things get more tricky on how to properly categorize this story. I was left a "little" WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?! *hysterical laughter*
Is it magical realism? Horror? Sci-fi? Fantasy?
All of the above, maybe? IDK.
The ending was a little too neat for me, but I'm used to Alice Hoffman killing almost all of her characters, so it was nice for a change to read something vastly different, lol
Also I'm not the intended audience and the author probably didn't want to traumatize her younger readers. So, yay :D
September 19, 2022
To naprawdę była piękna, wzruszająca historia. Metaforyczna, tajemnicza i taka... jesienna. Bardzo mi się podobała! Mądry morał, o którym nawet dorośli zapominają. Piękne relacje rodzinne. Polecam!
April 10, 2020
"Do naught wrong by the mulberry tree, or she’ll take your daughters … one, two, three.
In the dead of night, spirited away, never to see an eleventh birthday."
How can any potential reader not want to keep reading with an intro like that?
I know that it instantly piqued my interest, and at 304 pages, THE MULBERRY TREE is a substantial length which means that readers will be able to lose themselves in the story the same way I did.
Imogen (Immy) and her parents have moved to England from Australia. They are moving in order to seek a fresh start after her father experienced a trauma. In fact, since that fateful day, her father's personality has completely changed and not in a good way. Immy doesn't understand what has happened to her father and finds it extremely frustrating to feel so powerless. She wants her Dad to go back to the way he was, but she is starting to believe that this is his new normal.
As with all children, Immy had no say in the plans to relocate, and she is unhappy about leaving behind all her friends and everything else familiar.
Immy's mother is a heart surgeon, her father was a Family Doctor, well, I guess he technically still is, but he isn't currently practicing. He is depressed and blames himself for the actions of one of his patients.
The family decides to rent a cottage style house known to locals as "Lavender Cottage." In the backyard of their new home is a huge mulberry tree. Little do they know this tree is at the center of a local superstition and the rhyme at the beginning of the book is about this same tree.
The locals all believe that the tree is evil, which is patently ridiculous ... Or is it?
THE MULBERRY TREE has everything a middle grade reader could possibly want. The characters are believable, and most readers will find parts of themselves in Immy's personality. I can still vividly remember my father doing embarassing things when I was Immy's age, just like her father does to her. (As an adult, now I am the one embarassing my own kids.)
The story is fast paced and readers may just find themselves unable to put this book down. At night, I kept saying to myself that I would just read one more chapter before going to bed, but ended up staying awake until I finished the entire book.
So, since the plot is terrific, the story engaging, the characters relatable and believable, and the writing is nothing less than fantastic, I have no choice but to rate this book as 5 OUT OF 5 STARS. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
To find out more about this author and other books she has written, be sure to check out my blog at http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram and keep an eye out for several upcoming book giveaways on both my blog and at http://www.instagram.com/Amiesbookrev...
Thanks to #NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book.
In the dead of night, spirited away, never to see an eleventh birthday."
How can any potential reader not want to keep reading with an intro like that?
I know that it instantly piqued my interest, and at 304 pages, THE MULBERRY TREE is a substantial length which means that readers will be able to lose themselves in the story the same way I did.
Imogen (Immy) and her parents have moved to England from Australia. They are moving in order to seek a fresh start after her father experienced a trauma. In fact, since that fateful day, her father's personality has completely changed and not in a good way. Immy doesn't understand what has happened to her father and finds it extremely frustrating to feel so powerless. She wants her Dad to go back to the way he was, but she is starting to believe that this is his new normal.
As with all children, Immy had no say in the plans to relocate, and she is unhappy about leaving behind all her friends and everything else familiar.
Immy's mother is a heart surgeon, her father was a Family Doctor, well, I guess he technically still is, but he isn't currently practicing. He is depressed and blames himself for the actions of one of his patients.
The family decides to rent a cottage style house known to locals as "Lavender Cottage." In the backyard of their new home is a huge mulberry tree. Little do they know this tree is at the center of a local superstition and the rhyme at the beginning of the book is about this same tree.
The locals all believe that the tree is evil, which is patently ridiculous ... Or is it?
THE MULBERRY TREE has everything a middle grade reader could possibly want. The characters are believable, and most readers will find parts of themselves in Immy's personality. I can still vividly remember my father doing embarassing things when I was Immy's age, just like her father does to her. (As an adult, now I am the one embarassing my own kids.)
The story is fast paced and readers may just find themselves unable to put this book down. At night, I kept saying to myself that I would just read one more chapter before going to bed, but ended up staying awake until I finished the entire book.
So, since the plot is terrific, the story engaging, the characters relatable and believable, and the writing is nothing less than fantastic, I have no choice but to rate this book as 5 OUT OF 5 STARS. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
To find out more about this author and other books she has written, be sure to check out my blog at http://Amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com
Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram and keep an eye out for several upcoming book giveaways on both my blog and at http://www.instagram.com/Amiesbookrev...
Thanks to #NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book.
October 14, 2020
Do naught wrong by the mulberry tree,
or she’ll take your daughters...
one,
two,
three.
In the dead of night, spirit away,
never to see an eleventh birthday.
Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC!
The first thing I'm gonna say is that if you enjoyed City of Ghosts you'll surely love this one! They both are spooky middle grade stories that will steal your heart in one way or another!
That said, to the review.
The Mulberry Tree is a middle grade book that follows Immy, a little girl that moves from Australia to a English village because of her mother's work and an accident that involves her father. In this village, her family moves to a house that has a cursed mulberry tree in the garden, and it's said that the mulberry takes little girls in their eleventh birthday eve. With Immy's eleventh birthday nearing, she not only has to discover the secret of the tree, but has to deal with the village hate for that tree.
I LOVED the story. I loved how it is written: light, fresh and never boring. If it wasn't for classes, I think I could have read it in one sitting, because apart from Rushby's writing, the story was so good built; not one part was left loose, and there's not a single plot hole. I appreciate this SO MUCH. I'm a little tired of reading stories full of plot holes, and this book was able to cure me.
And now, to the most important thing (for me) and the main reason why I wanted to read this book: the tree, the second main character, if we can call it that. The mulberry tree was an interesting element that I was really hoping to read, and it didn't dissappoint me: reading about that mulberry tree was a mix of excitment, fear and sadness. The same can be said about the book: while reading it, I was excited, I was scared and in some parts I was sad, too. The Mulberry Tree is not only the story of a brave little girl, it also covers loss (in Immy's father, in the Tree and in the village), and I have to admit that I think there's where the story came to a halt. The treatment of loss was really light in my opinion; Immy's way to deal with it was a little violent in some parts (especially the ones involving her father), and the 'resolution' of the loss arc was quick and it lacked development (also, some things can't be resolved with a hug, just saying).
The second thing I didn't like so much was the ending; as I said about the loss arc, the ending lacked development; one page was something, and the next we had the last chapter. I was expecting more of it because of the way the mulberry curse is covered in the rest of the book; for me, it just isn't at the height of the story.
But apart from these details, I enjoyed the book greatly, and the last lines were really beautiful!
or she’ll take your daughters...
one,
two,
three.
In the dead of night, spirit away,
never to see an eleventh birthday.
Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC!
The first thing I'm gonna say is that if you enjoyed City of Ghosts you'll surely love this one! They both are spooky middle grade stories that will steal your heart in one way or another!
That said, to the review.
The Mulberry Tree is a middle grade book that follows Immy, a little girl that moves from Australia to a English village because of her mother's work and an accident that involves her father. In this village, her family moves to a house that has a cursed mulberry tree in the garden, and it's said that the mulberry takes little girls in their eleventh birthday eve. With Immy's eleventh birthday nearing, she not only has to discover the secret of the tree, but has to deal with the village hate for that tree.
I LOVED the story. I loved how it is written: light, fresh and never boring. If it wasn't for classes, I think I could have read it in one sitting, because apart from Rushby's writing, the story was so good built; not one part was left loose, and there's not a single plot hole. I appreciate this SO MUCH. I'm a little tired of reading stories full of plot holes, and this book was able to cure me.
And now, to the most important thing (for me) and the main reason why I wanted to read this book: the tree, the second main character, if we can call it that. The mulberry tree was an interesting element that I was really hoping to read, and it didn't dissappoint me: reading about that mulberry tree was a mix of excitment, fear and sadness. The same can be said about the book: while reading it, I was excited, I was scared and in some parts I was sad, too. The Mulberry Tree is not only the story of a brave little girl, it also covers loss (in Immy's father, in the Tree and in the village), and I have to admit that I think there's where the story came to a halt. The treatment of loss was really light in my opinion; Immy's way to deal with it was a little violent in some parts (especially the ones involving her father), and the 'resolution' of the loss arc was quick and it lacked development (also, some things can't be resolved with a hug, just saying).
The second thing I didn't like so much was the ending; as I said about the loss arc, the ending lacked development; one page was something, and the next we had the last chapter. I was expecting more of it because of the way the mulberry curse is covered in the rest of the book; for me, it just isn't at the height of the story.
But apart from these details, I enjoyed the book greatly, and the last lines were really beautiful!
January 6, 2021
Do naught wrong by the mulberry tree, or she’ll take your daughters … one, two, three.
Ten-year-old Immy and her family run away from their storm cloud of problems to a tiny village in Cambridgeshire, England. When they find an adorable thatched cottage to begin a perfect new life in, the only downside is the ancient, dark and fierce-looking mulberry tree in the back garden. And the legend that comes with it – the villagers say the tree steals away girls living in the cottage on the eve of their eleventh birthday.
Of course, Immy thinks this is ridiculous.
Then she starts to hear a strange song in her head…
Allison Rushby’s new novel for middle-grade readers is a captivating, spooky mystery.
Out July 2020
304 Pages
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
The premise promising an eerie, spooky and even creepy vibe for a middle-graders is what caught my attention. This is a fast-paced easy read. Underlying topics of depression, guilt and forgiveness. The author’s writing is fluid and captivating. She develops her characters realistically. I love how she included Immy’s anger with her father’s behavior for which she felt embarrassing and hopeless.
There is a lot of creepy moments to keep the reader engaged and turning pages.
How would you feel moving to a house with a creepy mulberry tree in the yard. What if this tree had a creepy story about abducting little girls? I love Immy’s character. She is determined to right some wrongs on her own.
The author writes with style and grace. She pushes the story forward with ease and keeps it moving with a strong fluidity. She is brilliant with the plot careful to wrap everything up nice at the end. There’s enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing about the ending and plenty of tension to keep the reader engaged along the way.
The tree itself holds a “rooted” stronghold on a village based on fear of the unknown. The main character is determined to resolve this hold with truth. It’s amazing how the truths were unraveled and answers were brought about.
Ten-year-old Immy and her family run away from their storm cloud of problems to a tiny village in Cambridgeshire, England. When they find an adorable thatched cottage to begin a perfect new life in, the only downside is the ancient, dark and fierce-looking mulberry tree in the back garden. And the legend that comes with it – the villagers say the tree steals away girls living in the cottage on the eve of their eleventh birthday.
Of course, Immy thinks this is ridiculous.
Then she starts to hear a strange song in her head…
Allison Rushby’s new novel for middle-grade readers is a captivating, spooky mystery.
Out July 2020
304 Pages
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
The premise promising an eerie, spooky and even creepy vibe for a middle-graders is what caught my attention. This is a fast-paced easy read. Underlying topics of depression, guilt and forgiveness. The author’s writing is fluid and captivating. She develops her characters realistically. I love how she included Immy’s anger with her father’s behavior for which she felt embarrassing and hopeless.
There is a lot of creepy moments to keep the reader engaged and turning pages.
How would you feel moving to a house with a creepy mulberry tree in the yard. What if this tree had a creepy story about abducting little girls? I love Immy’s character. She is determined to right some wrongs on her own.
The author writes with style and grace. She pushes the story forward with ease and keeps it moving with a strong fluidity. She is brilliant with the plot careful to wrap everything up nice at the end. There’s enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing about the ending and plenty of tension to keep the reader engaged along the way.
The tree itself holds a “rooted” stronghold on a village based on fear of the unknown. The main character is determined to resolve this hold with truth. It’s amazing how the truths were unraveled and answers were brought about.
January 16, 2021
I love, love, love creepy trees. As soon as I read the description for The Mulberry Tree, I knew I needed to read it.
For the most part The Mulberry Tree lived up to my expectations. The tree was indeed a character in this book, and it didn't come across as some literary analogy with a deeper meaning to be extracted by the reader. It was a creepy tree with creepy intentions, and I loved that about this book.
Some of The Mulberry Tree was hard hitting. The dad was dealing with depression, and Immy was dealing with a parent who just wasn't around the same way that they used to be. It really pulled on my emotions, and I loved the relationship that Immy had with her dad and with the people around her in the village.
My only complaint was the ending. It wasn't a bad ending at all, but it took something away from my overall experience with The Mulberry Tree. I felt like the book deserved a little bit more of a messy ending instead of one so neatly wrapped up. I still highly recommend it, though. My creepy tree loving self is so happy to have read it. It's one I'm definitely passing on to my kids. I think they'll love it, too.
For the most part The Mulberry Tree lived up to my expectations. The tree was indeed a character in this book, and it didn't come across as some literary analogy with a deeper meaning to be extracted by the reader. It was a creepy tree with creepy intentions, and I loved that about this book.
Some of The Mulberry Tree was hard hitting. The dad was dealing with depression, and Immy was dealing with a parent who just wasn't around the same way that they used to be. It really pulled on my emotions, and I loved the relationship that Immy had with her dad and with the people around her in the village.
My only complaint was the ending. It wasn't a bad ending at all, but it took something away from my overall experience with The Mulberry Tree. I felt like the book deserved a little bit more of a messy ending instead of one so neatly wrapped up. I still highly recommend it, though. My creepy tree loving self is so happy to have read it. It's one I'm definitely passing on to my kids. I think they'll love it, too.
September 4, 2023
3,75
Bardzo klimatyczna opowieść z wioskową tajemnicą w tle, czyli coś idealnie mrocznego na zbliżającą się jesień.
Podobają mi się relacje opisane w tej książce. Zarówno na linii dziecięcych znajomości, jak i tych rodzinnych obarczonych pewnymi problemami.
To nie jest lekka książka o niczym. To historia o stracie, wykluczeniu, wyszydzaniu czy plotkach, które mogą zniszczyć życie. To historia ojca, który nie potrafi poradzić sobie z rzeczywistością, historia dziewczynki, która próbuje rozwikłać zagadki z przeszłości i historia drzewa. Zranionego przeklętego drzewa.
Miejscami elementy fantastyczne, które są zgrabnie wplecione w tekst. Podoba mi się też przekaz tej historii.
Bardzo klimatyczna opowieść z wioskową tajemnicą w tle, czyli coś idealnie mrocznego na zbliżającą się jesień.
Podobają mi się relacje opisane w tej książce. Zarówno na linii dziecięcych znajomości, jak i tych rodzinnych obarczonych pewnymi problemami.
To nie jest lekka książka o niczym. To historia o stracie, wykluczeniu, wyszydzaniu czy plotkach, które mogą zniszczyć życie. To historia ojca, który nie potrafi poradzić sobie z rzeczywistością, historia dziewczynki, która próbuje rozwikłać zagadki z przeszłości i historia drzewa. Zranionego przeklętego drzewa.
Miejscami elementy fantastyczne, które są zgrabnie wplecione w tekst. Podoba mi się też przekaz tej historii.
May 15, 2020
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A BIG Thank You to Netgalley and Candlewick Press for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of “The Mulberry Tree” for my review.
This was a really entertaining book and many reasons why I enjoyed it.
Firstly, I loved the overall theme. It is a well written spooky, middle grade book that is intriguing but not too creepy. It’s one of those stories that a person of any age group would enjoy reading. The author provides quite a few twists and turns so you really don’t know where the story is going.
Immy is a nice character who is inquisitive and eager to solve the mystery of the tree. I also liked her friendship with Riley. The author talks about various conflicts of the new kid like adjusting and making friends. One thing that stood out for me was Immy’s relationship with her father. I really liked how the author realistically portrayed Immy’s anger at her father and did not try to sugarcoat it.
Moreover, I just loved the author’s style of writing. She has a very fluid, simple yet gripping way of telling a story. I would love to read some of other novels. On a side note, I also loved the part science fiction time travel element that happens towards the end. It was interesting to see how Immy’s actions had consequences.
I wished they didn’t focus on the father so much and his issues. Personally I feel that if you have been a doctor for many years, you should be able to copy with such incidents. I didn’t find it plausible that the father was in the medical field for many years and still could not deal with what happened. It would have been nice if the author focused on the past girls like Elizabeth. I would have liked if they even focused more on Caitlyn and what she was going through.
Overall, I this is a really nice book that is worth reading!
July 5, 2018
Immy has moved from Sydney Australia, to a small village in the UK. It's a new start for them after something happened at her father's work.
After seeing a few houses with a rental agent, they choose a cute little cottage with a large tree in the back lawn. But this isn't just any tree.
The agent tells them of the tree's history. A history where two girls who lived in the cottage mysteriously vanished on the eve of their 11th birthday. The entire village blames the tree. But that's ridiculous - isn't it?
Immy tries to make friends but the tree's history affects everyone around her - even Jean, the kind old lady who lives next door. She says her best friend Elizabeth was one of the girls who disappeared many years before.
Immy has been hearing a creepy rhyme being sung - even when there is no-one nearby. Could there be some truth in the legend? While she keeps her fears to herself, she is also dealing with her dad's depression, and the feeling that the tree is watching her and mirroring her feelings. She is determined to learn the truth - which means staying home on the eve of her 11th birthday.....
I loved this story! It was sad and beautiful, and intriguing and creepy. I couldn't read the last few pages fast enough. I closed the book with a tear in my eye and a smile on my face. Fans of Emma Carroll will love it too.
After seeing a few houses with a rental agent, they choose a cute little cottage with a large tree in the back lawn. But this isn't just any tree.
The agent tells them of the tree's history. A history where two girls who lived in the cottage mysteriously vanished on the eve of their 11th birthday. The entire village blames the tree. But that's ridiculous - isn't it?
Immy tries to make friends but the tree's history affects everyone around her - even Jean, the kind old lady who lives next door. She says her best friend Elizabeth was one of the girls who disappeared many years before.
Immy has been hearing a creepy rhyme being sung - even when there is no-one nearby. Could there be some truth in the legend? While she keeps her fears to herself, she is also dealing with her dad's depression, and the feeling that the tree is watching her and mirroring her feelings. She is determined to learn the truth - which means staying home on the eve of her 11th birthday.....
I loved this story! It was sad and beautiful, and intriguing and creepy. I couldn't read the last few pages fast enough. I closed the book with a tear in my eye and a smile on my face. Fans of Emma Carroll will love it too.
October 22, 2018
Rushby's words have an enigmatic way of drawing you in, simultaneously caressing your emotions whilst firing them up. This oddly captivating tale sparkles with elements of surrealism, history and esoteric magic. The large, lumbering, erstwhile sinister mulberry tree in Immy's new backyard is appointed with powerful anthropomorphic attributes and apparently has the villagers all but under it's malevolent power, however it's Immy's brazen and bold personality that I was really drawn to. Her empathy and daring steal the show and ultimately solve the mystery of the disappearing girls from her village. Although perhaps not the tightest of plots it is nevertheless clever and unique, promoting understanding and tolerance; and will no doubt be a real tween-pleaser.
July 6, 2020
Immy and her family are moving to a tiny village in England for a couple of reasons. Her mom has a job there, and they are hoping that being away from the hustle and bustle of city life will help her father deal with his depression and get back on his feet.
Against the advice of their realtor, Immy's parents sign a one year lease on the Lavender House. The villagers claim that the menacing mulberry tree in the backyard steals girls who live their on their eleventh birthdays. With Immy's eleventh birthday coming soon, they plan to prove to everyone that trees don't steal children. It's all nonsense.
This is both creepy and heartwarming. I really enjoyed it. Perfect for middle grade fans.
I received a copy from Net Galley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Against the advice of their realtor, Immy's parents sign a one year lease on the Lavender House. The villagers claim that the menacing mulberry tree in the backyard steals girls who live their on their eleventh birthdays. With Immy's eleventh birthday coming soon, they plan to prove to everyone that trees don't steal children. It's all nonsense.
This is both creepy and heartwarming. I really enjoyed it. Perfect for middle grade fans.
I received a copy from Net Galley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 21, 2021
The story is great at first. Immy and her parents live in a new village, but the neighbors reject her house for the creepy mulberry tree, so she has no friends at school.
The story gets a bit boring in the middle, and I didn't really like the ending.
My favorite character is Immy's father because of his problems, and the way he starts to get his life back.
Spoiler: Me pareció interesante que el árbol se llevará a las niñas para vengarse de la familia que originó todo, pero me hubiese gustado que exista algo mágico que explique su poder.
The story gets a bit boring in the middle, and I didn't really like the ending.
My favorite character is Immy's father because of his problems, and the way he starts to get his life back.
Spoiler: Me pareció interesante que el árbol se llevará a las niñas para vengarse de la familia que originó todo, pero me hubiese gustado que exista algo mágico que explique su poder.
July 28, 2018
A mystery with intertwined themes of forgiveness and understanding for all living beings. Fantastic story!
Read
September 28, 2025Loved the way this tree becomes such a powerful and interesting character.
January 9, 2022
This book really was amazing! It was a nice fiction creepy fantasy read. Definitely reccomend it! I did get a bit annoyed of how it ended because nobody remembered all the memories except Immy :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2018
Lovers of mysteries and slightly unnerving stories will adore this latest offering by Allison Rushby. As an introduction to gothic literature it has just the perfect amount of tension and suspense for this age group. Rushby has cleverly interwoven the stories of three girls Immy, Elizabeth and Bridget who all, at different times in history, have been residents of the thatched cottage in Cambridgeshire. The little town is mired in suspicion and superstition but Immy’s practical Australian family refuse to be part of it. Over time though it becomes apparent that perhaps there is something magical and mysterious about the Mulberry Tree. The development of the Mulberry Tree as its own character is particularly effective. There are some big issues in this book, missing girls, fear, suspicion, anger, distrust, bullying and mental illness but are all dealt with in an age appropriate manner. Rushby has sensitively explored the issue of what it is like to have a parent who suffers from depression and the frustration, guilt and embarrassments that may hold for the child. Immy’s parents are going through some difficult times which they try to protect their daughter from but ultimately they also learn that sometimes compassion and kindness can go a long way. As the story is so atmospheric it may be a little scary for some more sensitive readers.
Suitable 9+
Teacher’s notes: http://classroom.walkerbooks.com.au/h...
Suitable 9+
Teacher’s notes: http://classroom.walkerbooks.com.au/h...
April 29, 2020
I received this book from LibraryThing in exchange for a review here and on my blog Samwise Reviews. I was hooked from that tag line. I don't like super scary and this was only moderate creepy, so it was perfect. I think it would be a good read for any age without getting nightmares. I enjoyed the characters and Immy's tension with her parents felt very real. I liked her perspective of the dad's depression and guilt, and the stress of making friends in a new town. The ending threw me a little bit, it felt too cleanly wrapped up for what had happened, but overall I still really enjoyed the journey.
August 2, 2020
I love this book! I found the story dark, but beautiful. When I first saw the cover I saw the writing at the top of the page and instantly wanted to read it. "Do naught wrong by the mulberry tree or she'll take your daughters... one, two three". I would put this book under the thriller/creepy fiction genre. I loved following the mystery and how the main character Immy found clues listening to rumours about the tree in her backyard. I recommend this book the 10-14 yr olds.
November 18, 2021
Perfectly eerie! This felt like the perfect fall read on a dark night. :-)
July 31, 2020
You can find my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for a review copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Quotes are taken from an unfinished version and may differ from the final product.
I’m an absolute sucker for books with creepy rhymes, so this one caught my eye right away. That cover is all dark and spooky, and the rhyme at the very beginning of the blurb? Yup, that’s about my speed.
Despite being dark and creepy, The Mulberry Tree has a surprising amount of heart. It’s about anger and revenge, but also about healing and forgiveness and understanding. The dichotomy was just *chef’s kiss*.
While I’d say this one was pretty low on the creep factor, it was spooky enough to stay interesting, but not so much that it would be considered too scary for younger middle grade readers. Rushby does a great job of building atmosphere, though, and her prose was so lovely to read.
My Thoughts:
- Immy’s relationship with her dad is so sweet and strong, but it’s going through a bit of turmoil now as she struggles to cope with his PTSD. This has all the sweetness of strong family bonds with an added layer of reality sprinkled on top. The move to England is supposed to be a fresh start for Immy and her family, but there’s no running from their real problems: a workaholic mom who’s never home and a father suffering from PTSD. This is a very realistic scenario, and I enjoyed the way the book tackled it, because all the way through, you can still tell how much Immy and her father love each other, as they try to rekindle the closeness they’ve lost recently.
- I thought the PTSD and the family dynamics in general were really well done and give the reader a lot to think about. The way the family dynamic changes and unfolds through this story as Immy comes to grips with her father being a different person and unable to do the things she’s used to him doing was so poignant and tragic and beautiful, all at the same time. Because he’s trying. No one can accuse him of not. But there’s no quick, easy fix for PTSD, but it starts with understanding and empathy. Actually, understanding is a major theme in the book, and I like how it all tied together in that way.
- The creepy, daughter-stealing tree in this is really a character unto itself. It’s given a personality itself and has a backstory and everything, which was an interesting choice, but I love the way this was built. At first, the tree is just that … a tree with a silly superstition surrounding it. As the book gets going, though, it takes on its own creepy persona. I mean, creepy trees are creepy, but there’s so much more to the story here than meets the eye!
- I loved the creepy rhyme in this, but the superstition was way overhyped and didn’t quite make sense. I mean, two girls went missing. Two. In the past 150 years. It’s a pretty tenuous connection, if you ask me. Yeah, the circumstances are strange, and the girls belonged to the same family, but it felt really flimsy to me that the disappearances are tied together so suredly, from the mid-1800s and the mid-1900s, that it affects what happens in the present day. I understand why they’re linked, but it just struck me as odd that it was such a big deal. The ending was also really convenient and deus ex machina feeling, to the point where Immy doesn’t actually do anything in this book, which I think robbed her of a real opportunity here. The book delivers more on the emotional aspect than the creepy aspect, because as said, Immy isn’t really the hero in this. Her emotional transformation is a super powerful and beautiful one, and I loved the way that was done, but as for the overall conflict of the book, it was a bit of a bummer the way it was resolved because Immy didn’t actually play a real role in that at all.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for a review copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Quotes are taken from an unfinished version and may differ from the final product.
I’m an absolute sucker for books with creepy rhymes, so this one caught my eye right away. That cover is all dark and spooky, and the rhyme at the very beginning of the blurb? Yup, that’s about my speed.
Despite being dark and creepy, The Mulberry Tree has a surprising amount of heart. It’s about anger and revenge, but also about healing and forgiveness and understanding. The dichotomy was just *chef’s kiss*.
While I’d say this one was pretty low on the creep factor, it was spooky enough to stay interesting, but not so much that it would be considered too scary for younger middle grade readers. Rushby does a great job of building atmosphere, though, and her prose was so lovely to read.
My Thoughts:
- Immy’s relationship with her dad is so sweet and strong, but it’s going through a bit of turmoil now as she struggles to cope with his PTSD. This has all the sweetness of strong family bonds with an added layer of reality sprinkled on top. The move to England is supposed to be a fresh start for Immy and her family, but there’s no running from their real problems: a workaholic mom who’s never home and a father suffering from PTSD. This is a very realistic scenario, and I enjoyed the way the book tackled it, because all the way through, you can still tell how much Immy and her father love each other, as they try to rekindle the closeness they’ve lost recently.
- I thought the PTSD and the family dynamics in general were really well done and give the reader a lot to think about. The way the family dynamic changes and unfolds through this story as Immy comes to grips with her father being a different person and unable to do the things she’s used to him doing was so poignant and tragic and beautiful, all at the same time. Because he’s trying. No one can accuse him of not. But there’s no quick, easy fix for PTSD, but it starts with understanding and empathy. Actually, understanding is a major theme in the book, and I like how it all tied together in that way.
- The creepy, daughter-stealing tree in this is really a character unto itself. It’s given a personality itself and has a backstory and everything, which was an interesting choice, but I love the way this was built. At first, the tree is just that … a tree with a silly superstition surrounding it. As the book gets going, though, it takes on its own creepy persona. I mean, creepy trees are creepy, but there’s so much more to the story here than meets the eye!
- I loved the creepy rhyme in this, but the superstition was way overhyped and didn’t quite make sense. I mean, two girls went missing. Two. In the past 150 years. It’s a pretty tenuous connection, if you ask me. Yeah, the circumstances are strange, and the girls belonged to the same family, but it felt really flimsy to me that the disappearances are tied together so suredly, from the mid-1800s and the mid-1900s, that it affects what happens in the present day. I understand why they’re linked, but it just struck me as odd that it was such a big deal. The ending was also really convenient and deus ex machina feeling, to the point where Immy doesn’t actually do anything in this book, which I think robbed her of a real opportunity here. The book delivers more on the emotional aspect than the creepy aspect, because as said, Immy isn’t really the hero in this. Her emotional transformation is a super powerful and beautiful one, and I loved the way that was done, but as for the overall conflict of the book, it was a bit of a bummer the way it was resolved because Immy didn’t actually play a real role in that at all.
May 15, 2020
The Mulberry Tree by Allison Rushby Reviewed May 15, 2020
Spooky Middle School mystery
Superstition has it that the mulberry tree carries a curse …..
“Do naught wrong the mulberry tree, or she’ll take your daughters … one two, three; in the
dead of night, spirited away never to see her eleventh birthday.
Awww ~ dark, creepy, mysterious a bit of magic sounds like my kind of a book.
Don’t let the middle school level discourage you, it really means no profanity or explicit sex and the story is usable for middle schoolers. Our protagonist, Imogene aka “Immy” is in middle school and is one of the three girls the other two are Elizabeth and Bridget who lived in the same home but believe taken by the tree!
Immy and her family move to England from Australia as her mother a heart surgeon has a one-year assignment in a local hospital. Dad was a doctor, currently not practicing. His personality has changed after a situation with an elderly patient and he is going through emotional depression.
Immy is not happy about the move and upset that her father is not the same; her sweet elderly neighbor tells her that “sometimes people can care so much that it affects their own life”.
This situation actually just happened doing our Covid-19 crisis. A young ER Doctor recently took her life as she was so depressed treating so many patients who died from the virus and she just could not cope with not being able to save them.
Back to story: Immy’s family settles in the cute thatched “Lavender Cottage”, however this cottage is known to local as the house with the evil tree.
Story is about love, forgiveness and, of course, magic!
I just love Immy and you will as well! This is a 5 star novel for me. I give very few 5 star ratings. To me a story has to be awesome! Yes! This quick read is that good!!
My first Allison Rushby novel, looking forward to another!
Want to thank NetGalley and Candlewood Press for this early release granted in exchange for an honest professional review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 14, 2020
Spooky Middle School mystery
Superstition has it that the mulberry tree carries a curse …..
“Do naught wrong the mulberry tree, or she’ll take your daughters … one two, three; in the
dead of night, spirited away never to see her eleventh birthday.
Awww ~ dark, creepy, mysterious a bit of magic sounds like my kind of a book.
Don’t let the middle school level discourage you, it really means no profanity or explicit sex and the story is usable for middle schoolers. Our protagonist, Imogene aka “Immy” is in middle school and is one of the three girls the other two are Elizabeth and Bridget who lived in the same home but believe taken by the tree!
Immy and her family move to England from Australia as her mother a heart surgeon has a one-year assignment in a local hospital. Dad was a doctor, currently not practicing. His personality has changed after a situation with an elderly patient and he is going through emotional depression.
Immy is not happy about the move and upset that her father is not the same; her sweet elderly neighbor tells her that “sometimes people can care so much that it affects their own life”.
This situation actually just happened doing our Covid-19 crisis. A young ER Doctor recently took her life as she was so depressed treating so many patients who died from the virus and she just could not cope with not being able to save them.
Back to story: Immy’s family settles in the cute thatched “Lavender Cottage”, however this cottage is known to local as the house with the evil tree.
Story is about love, forgiveness and, of course, magic!
I just love Immy and you will as well! This is a 5 star novel for me. I give very few 5 star ratings. To me a story has to be awesome! Yes! This quick read is that good!!
My first Allison Rushby novel, looking forward to another!
Want to thank NetGalley and Candlewood Press for this early release granted in exchange for an honest professional review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 14, 2020
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