Annie Glover Is NOT a Tree Lover

by Darleen Bailey Beard, Heather Maione

Annie Glover's grandma is always protesting something, but she goes too far when she chains herself to a century-old tree and names it Elmer. Elmer is scheduled to be cut down to make way for a new swimming-pool complex and Grandma is trying to save him, but Annie wants that swimming pool―and so do all her classmates. Now she must endure all the other fourth graders asking her embarrassing questions and that pesky Leroy Kirk calling her a "tree lover." However, as Annie considers what Elmer means to her town and to herself, she begins to think that maybe Grandma's not so crazy after all.

Adorable illustrations perfectly capture Annie's scheme to save Elmer―with the help of her teacher, her best friend, a zany trio of parachuting Elvis impersonators, and, yes, even Grandma.

Genres: Childrens

128 pages, Hardcover

First published August 18, 2009

Reviews

[Katie Helwig · Rating 4 out of 5]

What kid wouldn’t want a huge new swimming pool in town complete with water slides and snow cones?! No one! All of the kids in Bentley are super excited for it and think it is going to make for the BEST summers ever!! There is only one problem. There is a tree that could stop them from getting this pool. The tree isn’t just a tree though. It is over one hundred years old and it is a landmark in town. The week before this tree is to be cut down to make way for the parking lot of the pool, a crazy old lady chains herself to the tree in protest! This old lady is not just any old lady though…she is Annie Glover’s grandmother. To make matters worse, the tree is right across the street from Annie’s school so all of her classmates can see her grandma making a fool of herself! Annie just wants to sink away forever. She has to hear “Annie Glover is a tree lover” from that annoying Leroy Kirk all day long. The only person who thinks it is cool Annie’s Grandma is fighting for Elmer the tree is Annie’s best friend Jazz. Jazz makes a fascinating discovery of just how important Elmer is to the town and thinks of what the town of Bentley might be like without it. Everyone has a special memory of that tree. Maybe Annie’s Grandma isn’t so crazy after all. Is it too late for Annie and her classmates to team up with her Grandma to fight for the tree before it gets cut down?

This book would appeal to elementary students in grades 4-6. It is a good book to teach how to fight for what you believe in and how sometimes your family can be embarrassing, but if you stick together, you can accomplish anything.

I enjoyed this book. It is an easy read and the characters are very amusing. I would recommend this book.

Beard, Darleen Bailey, and Heather Harms Maione. Annie Glover is not a tree lover. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2009. Print.

[qiqing · Rating 3 out of 5]

A girl named Annie Glover has a grandma, she has a tree near by her house and the city council is deciding to build a pool where the tree is. Grandma doesn’t want the tree to be chopped down, so she chained herself to the tree so the tree won’t be chopped down. Annie has been called ‘Annie Glover’s is a Tree Lover’ by her classmate called, Leroy Kirk, so she is trying to convince her grandma to unchain herself, but she won’t. In class, Mrs. Hodge read a book called ‘Tree Giving Tree’ to the class. Annie’s best friend, Jazz, bought a book at the book fair and found that the name of the town came from the bent tree, so the class decided to save the tree from being cut down. Annie felt that the bent tree was their giving tree just like the book. At last, the tree was saved!

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is on the Virginia Reader's Choice book list for grades 3-5 for the 2011-2012 school year. Both my 5th grade daughter and I read this book. I found it very forced and full of stereotypes from the weird grandmother protestor to the Flying Elvis impersonators (Honeymoon in Vegas anyone?) to the annoying kid in the classroom. I hated the protagonist's best friend Jazz who made up her own exclamations and superlatives throughout the book and would rate her as more annoying than the so-called annoying kid. My daughter rated the book three stars because she thought parts of it were funny but overall, it wasn't an interesting story.

[Luisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annie thinks her grandmother is crazy when she launches a crusade to save Elmer, their town’s oldest elm tree, from being cut down to make way for a new pool. When Annie realizes how important Elmer is to her town’s history, her initial embarrassment turns to determination to save the special tree. She rallies her classmates to protest the pool’s construction and learns the value of standing up for what you believe in. I read this fun story as part of an annotated bibliography project for a children's literature course, and I would recommend it for students who are interested in conservation.

[Stacy Ford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annie is mortified. Her grandmother has chained herself to the American Elm that is directly across the street from Annie's school. You see, Annie and her classmates want the swimming pool that is going to go in where the tree is.

Annie's friend Jazz discovers that the tree is the namesake for the town. This discovery, along with fond memories of the tree galvanize Annie and her friends to join her grandmother in protecting the tree.

Along the way you also meet Annie's Elvis look alike Uncle and his two friends who are known as the sky diving Elvis trio.

[Kelsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darleen Bailey Beard came to visit our school last year and introduced us to this great book. I read this one to my class. At the end of every chapter they begged me to keep reading! It was a funny and heartwarming and the characters were very relatable to second graders. I wish there were more Annie Glover stories out there!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this as much as I wanted to (probably because I *am* a tree lover ;) ). It's a little overly quirky in ways I didn't expect, so that felt kind of jarring to me, rather than fun. My ten-year-old daughter thought it was great, though, and very funny, so maybe I'm just old and boring. :D

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a good book. I thought it was great to see the students in the book getting involved in something bigger than themselves. I hope that this book encourages kids at my school to do the same thing.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good fast-paced book that will appeal to many readers. It will be a great class read-aloud for younger students, too. This is one of those Sequoyah list books that the youngest readers will enjoy on their own.

[Jamie]

I loved this book. It is perfect for 3rd and 4th grade students. It illustrates how children can stand up for what they believe in and make a difference. I also like the references DBB makes to Oklahoma in the book.

[Luanne Hatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. Annie was a likeable character.Her grandmother, who chained herself to an old tree, was an embarrassment to her, until she learned more about the town's history of that tree. Then Annie found herself joining in her grandmother's cause.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book! I think it has a great lesson that goes with it. Annie's grandma sets out to save a tree. At first Annie is embarrased, but then realizes that her grandma is doing the right thing and her and her classmates decide to help.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. While this was enjoyable enough and I kind of love the freeloading, skydiving Elvis impersonators, parts of this one felt a little forced. Early readers might enjoy it anyway.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good little book, funny and believable. Length is just right for a "childrens selection." Beard's writing gets better and better.

[Maya Loera · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is good read it

[Heather Shuck]

Sequoyah Nominee: 2011-2012 (Children's)

[Georgene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This easy chapter book should be appealing for children who like light realistic fiction.

[Mustang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very motivating story! I think it is one of my favorite books! Definitely!!!!!!!! I also am a tree lover like Annie's grandma!!!

[Acacia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK I HAVE READ IT ABOUT 5 TIMES.

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reading this to my 3rd grade class right now. We are all loving it!! It's a fast-read and very funny!!

[Ines Querejazu · Rating 5 out of 5]

i LOVED the book!! It was great

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun, delightful read. Great story about standing up for your beliefs. Very quick reading.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for Library Media Connection.

[Abigail Dougherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and fast read. enjoyed it

[Lexi P. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome I got it signed

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story about Annie is cute. Her grandma is a "hippie" always protesting a new cause. The story has a theme about dedication, justice, standing up against all odds, and creative thinking. I like that the book is short for beginners or reluctant readers.