Poet Author Wanderluster
Something evil is growing in this spine-tingling middle grade novel about a boy who must protect his neighborhood from a malevolent monster tree while dealing with the recent loss of his father.
Linus used to be an artist, like his dad. Then his father died and Linus’s mom moved them to the other side of the city, hoping for a fresh start. Maybe, for the first time since losing Dad, Linus will even start drawing again.
But there’s something unusual about their new neighbor Maude, and something wrong with the grotesque tree in her backyard. At night Linus sees it moving, changing, growing. When increasingly bizarre events plague the neighborhood—massive claw marks, missing pets, sightings of a red-eyed creature—he suspects Maude and her tree are to blame, even if his mom doesn’t quite believe him.
With his new home and new neighborhood under threat, Linus teams up with his goofy best friend Spencer and no-nonsense neighbor Abby to unearth whatever sinister seeds have been planted next door . . . even as something truly monstrous is taking root.
From the author of The Nightmare House ("A sophisticated choice for horror readers." —Booklist, starred review), Sarah Allen weaves the supernatural adventure of Stranger Things with a poignant tale of grief, healing, and the uniting force of friendship in Monster Tree.
“Allen crafts a heartfelt tale about finding the power within to confront grief. Family and friendship form the center of this spooky yet moving story which will captivate young readers.” —Adrianna Cuevas, Pura Belpré Honor- and Edgar Award-winning author of The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez and The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto
“Monster Tree deftly weaves together a spooky monster tale along with the power of friendship and facing your grief . . . A creepy adventure with a heartwarming story about family and friendship.” —Ally Malinenko, author of Ghost Girl and This Appearing House
“The scares ratchet up unrelentingly in a page-turning frenzy as Linus fights to save himself, his town, and his family . . . A searing exploration of the intersection of grief and horror.” —Kirkus Reviews
“There is a palpable sense of grief in Linus’ home as he mourns his father, but with some help from his loving mother and friends, Linus learns to find joy in not only his art but in his relationships . . . Enough scares to entice horror lovers and the right amount of heart and a happy ending to help those who are new to the genre.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Allen capably captures the roiling feelings Linus tries to keep a handle on in the wake of his father’s death, especially as he considers returning to making art—something he and his dad had always done together. Readers looking for inventive monsters or those who appreciate a dynamic emotional arc will find something to like here.” —Booklist