The Secret Tree

About this book

What is your secret?

Minty's neighborhood is full of mysteries. There's the Witch House, a spooky old farmhouse on the other side of woods from where Minty and her best friend, Paz, live. There's the Man Bat, a seven-foot-tall half man, half bat who is rumored to fly through the woods. And there are the Mean Boys, David and Troy, who torment Minty for no reason, and her boy-crazy older sister, Thea, who acts weirder and weirder.

One day Minty spots a flash in the woods, and when she chases after it, she discovers a new mystery -- a Secret Tree, with a hollow trunk that holds the secrets of everyone in the neighborhood. Secrets like:

I put a curse on my enemy. And it's working.

I'm betraying my best friend in a terrible way.

No one loves me except my goldfish.

Reviews

Praise for THE SECRET TREE:

"A captivating story about the mysteries of summertime and friendship." – Rebecca Stead, author of WHEN YOU REACH ME

* "The intimate neighborhood setting – with its mysteries, superstitions, and traditions – the authenticity of Minty's voice, and her worries about the transitioning nature of her life and friendships give Standiford's story a richness that will stay with readers." – PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review

"Captivating . . . takes its rightful place in the now classic genre of 'neighborhood kids' that began with Beverly Cleary." – THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

"A charming and mysterious story of friendship, growing up, and keeping secrets." – BOOKLIST


Praise for HOW TO SAY GOOD-BYE IN ROBOT:

* "Bea's original first-person voice will draw readers in, and the unexpected plot will keep them engaged. A decidedly purposeful not-love story, this has all the makings of a cult hit with a flavor similar to Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower." -- KIRKUS REVIEWS, starred review

* "An honest and complex depiction of a meaningful platonic friendship and doesn't gloss over troubling issues. . . . Teens will identify with the intense emotions of Beatrice and Jonas, the reasons they are drawn to each other, and the ups and downs of their relationship. . . . Outstanding" -- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred review