The Ghost Tree

Spooky Sleuths #1

by Natasha Deen, Lissy Marlin (Illustrator)

Is it science...or strange and ghostly?

Asim's new town is freaking him out! There are weird noises at night, eerie lights, and now an evil tree that is growing way faster than it should. he's sure there's something supernatural going on.
His friend Rokshar believes that everything can be explained by science. But even she's worried when the tree takes control of their teacher! It's starting to look like an evil spirit straight out of Guyanese folklore is to blame. Can Asim and his friends save their teacher--and the town --from the ghost tree?
 
Find out...if you dare! It's a new spooky series based on ghost stories from Guyana.

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Horror, Paranormal, Childrens, Chapter Books, Fiction

109 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2022

About the author

Natasha Deen's family moved from Guyana, South America to Canada to escape the country's political & racial violence. She loved growing up in a country of snow & flannel, but often felt out of place. Thank goodness for books that showed her being different could also mean being awesome. Natasha lives in Edmonton, Alberta with her family where she spends A LOT of time arguing with her cats and dogs about who’s the boss of the house. Visit her at www.natashadeen.com.

Reviews

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asim who has recently moved to town with his family but there's more to this place than there seems. There's strange noises every night and a tree that's growing unusually fast. Asim's classmate, Rockshar believes there's a scientific fact to explain everything. But then the mysterious tree seems to be affecting their teacher and they have to figure out a way to stop it. This is a quick and easy read for young readers with the right amount of spookiness. It pulls from Guyanese folklore which is explained in the note in the back.

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first in a new middle grades series! Asim is new to town and headed to his first day at his new school. On his way, he has to pass a cemetery. After having a mishap and seeing a spooky tree, he becomes convinced the cemetery is haunted. His new friend Rokshar is not as convinced as she is a budding scientist. However, as people start to be infected by the tree, Asim and his new friends must investigate and put a stop to this haunted tree before it infects the whole town.

I found this story to be delightful! It was easy to read and spooky, while not super scary. I think it is a great book for young readers.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. A great book for middleschoolers! Just the right amount of spooky and adventure with good characters. The illustrations are a great addition too! And if you don't want to believe in the supernatural, you don't have to. There just might be a scientific answer to everything. If nothing else, it will introduce kids to the scientific method.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.

[Kristi · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book that is not appropriate for children it has a non-binary teacher who uses false pronouns and titles also contains veganism and references to slavery

[J.M. Northup · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Story of Friendship and Cooperation

This mystery was entertaining. At times, it was gross, but it wouldn’t be a good horror story if it wasn’t, right? Goosebumps move over, there’s a new series in town LOL

Though the paranormal elements drew me in, it was the children’s friendship that moved me most. There was a shared respect for science, their teacher, their families, and each other that was refreshing. It was a delight to see them support one another, research for better understanding before just diving into things, and for them to share notes. This story has great ghost information and a wonderful spooky tale, but there’s also heart and cooperation.

Malachi and Devlin started as bullies, but Rokshar quickly put a stop to that. I think the interplay opens the potential for adults to address how some behaviors are reactions to fear. It certainly was in the case of the brothers. Perhaps there’s a lesson for communication? Afterall, when the characters talked in a safe place, they liked each other. It helped to unite them.

This was my first children’s book, albeit middle grade, where a nonbinary person is depicted. Some people will struggle with this in a text for young readers, but it never defined the character, nor did it have anything to do with the plot. The author only highlighted the teacher’s gender as a means of explaining their title (Mx) and preferred pronouns (they/them). It was handled in a matter-of-fact way and stayed age appropriate.

I recommend this book. It was an interesting read for me as an adult. It’s something I think middle graders and teens will love. Surely, it’ll encourage readers to utilize their libraries more as well as impress such a positive impression of community.

[Munchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

What drew me to the book was the artwork. Kudos to the artist, there were enough illustrations to keep me and I assume any kid who's into spooky folklore, interested. The tree in this was absolutely the right amount of fright.

The characters seem cool, and I do like our main character Asim, but I would like to see the author work on pacing and character development a bit more. The ending was rushed and then there's the sudden "everyone knows everyone" problem that is more like a rush to get everything into one book, especially if it's an early chapter book. So when the characters are introduced to one another, it's done rather quickly with no buildup of their relationship.

The age range of the book says 7-10 so it's for older kids. And this would be a book I'd read if I was still a kid around those ages, so it fits the bill. But I like it as an adult, so that says a lot. I was interested in the plot the most. I think the mysteries will get better, and I give this series hope. It's a good start for Spooky Sleuths with the right amount of interest. Also kudos to a book based in my home state, Washington.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asim's parents' new jobs moved the family to an island with an important yet secret research facility and only one town, so everyone knows everyone. On his way to his first day of school, he goes into a cemetery and finds a strange, creepy tree. He is also befriended by scientific Rokshar. They pair up for a project to learn about the island's biome. What better place to explore than the cemetery that hasn't been really used for 2 years and the creepy tree there? Is it causing people's behavior to radically change? It moves at a good pace, has the scientific method, well-developed diverse characters, compelling plot, and an introduction to Guyanese folklore. A great series starter. For fans of The Haunted Library, Eerie Elementary, and Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol.

[Miz Lizzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first book in a series that balances between straight-up paranormal and scientific hypothesis and explanation. Mixed-race Asim moves with his parents to an island where all the adults work for a super secret laboratory. Asim is sure there is a ghost tree in the cemetary that is responsible for changing the behavior of two adults, his teacher Mx. Hudson and the construction site foreman. His new friend Rokshar believes there is a scientific explanation for everything. A fast-paced adventure with a large cast of not greatly developed characters. For the upper-end of In-Between. Might be too scary for some younger readers.

[michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been looking for spooky stories for my younger readers and this fit the bill. Even read a second grade class the first chapter and they loved it. I would have purchased the book, but the teacher is non-binary and I can’t open that can of worms in my incredibly conservative, semi-rural community. I understand the need to be seen and don’t personally have a problem, but I know our school board would have my head if this was a purchase. Great book for open-minded, forward thinking communities.

[Great Books]

Biracial Asim moves with his scientist parents to a creepy "company" town on an island in Washington state with strange lights in the forest, crafts hovering over the water, and a cemetery with a tree that seems to grow supernaturally fast. Asim and his quickly made friends use a class assignment to investigate why their teacher and a construction worker become aggressive after touching the mysterious tree. Author Natasha Deen draws on the mythology of her native Guyana in the first of this spooky series.

Reviewer 13

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elementary-level chapter book about a spooky tree in a cemetery that Asim is convinced is a Guyanan Dutchman or ghost tree. His teacher and a construction worker seem to be possessed by the tree but their strange behavior is attributed to an allergic reaction to the tree. Asim and his classmates use scientific note taking to study the tree but don’t end up with enough proof to refute the official story.

[Simone Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the authors take on Guyanese folklore as I’m of Guyanese descent. The story moved too fast. I was thinking if my 10 year old nephew would have liked the story and he would have also thought it was too short . Probably just right for the 7-9 year olds to be read too. Also my library copy had duplicate pages (publisher issue?) I will def read the others in the series when I can find them.

[Kay S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid book! I really loved the art style and the expressions the illustrator gave the characters. For such a short book, I felt the characters and story were very well rounded and having the characters ranging from grade four to six is great for a middle grade novel. It's an easy read about a diverse group of characters in a spooky setting!

[Alyce Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started reading this one with Zophia and she said it was too scary, but I was intrigued enough to finish it on my own this morning. A bit of a rushed ending after a delightfully spooky build-up, but introduces a fun selection of characters who I may follow forward into their future adventures (which hopefully Zophia will find just scary enough!).

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love that this book was inspired by Guyanese tales and the authors note adds greater depth. The characters are diverse in age, skin color etc. The casual inclusion of a non-binary teacher was well handled as well. At times the writing felt a little repetitive, but this may have been targeting the younger readers who may pick this up.

[Jennybeast · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good amount of creep, and I like the Guyanese heritage. It's a beginning chapter book, so I suppose it's a lot to ask for more developed characters, but that was something I missed. Excellent for the intended audience, especially if they don't ask too many questions about following the fantastical.

[Tiffany Lord ✨]

Reading with my child and though we appreciate our Guyanese heritage being represented, it’s difficult trying to explain to a child an agenda that is sparked by confusion.

Nonbinary, and use of pronouns are hard for someone in this age group to conceptualize and also feel very forced into the novel. Definitely a deliberate push for the agenda.

Outside of that the actual storyline is enjoyable.

[Antonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very smart and engaging middle grade story. Main character is a 4th grader. The mystery is a little creepy, but not scary enough that a fluent reader in 1st or 2nd might shy away from it. Can't wait to read more from her!

[Katherine Pogatshnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a beginning "scary" chapter book, I approve. I enjoyed how Natasha Deen has created a character that insists on the Scientific Method and having proof vs. just believing. Definitely going to be Book Talking this one to my 2nd/3rd graders.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly creepy book for a early chapterbook! I think any kid who loves Halloween and being scared will love this one.

The story moved at just the right pace and the characters are nicely inclusive.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Jenna Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this story was delightful! It wasn’t scary (for me). I do believe it would be a great story for middle grade students, maybe not lower elementary students!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun new spooky children's series I read while at work. Great for Goosebumps fans, diverse and with fun illustrations!

[★patt★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun story! I'll be passing this along to my neice for sure

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that this was based on Guyanese folklore, and it's just the right amount of scary for early elementary readers.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mystery, scientific method, diverse characters, POC main character, lgbt friendly

[Karine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Good book and well written. I like that they are looking in paranormal and scientific ways but still needing clues/ proof.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grade k-2 scary--lots of action and easy to read, appreciated the Guyanese folklore connections and the way the kids worked together. Great non-binary teacher.

[Kay May · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute read. Despite it being for a younger audience, I was intrigued.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to my daughter. she is 7 and loves scary things, but this wasn't scarry enough for her.