The New York Times Book Review
The Secret Tree takes its rightful place in the now classic genre of "neighborhood kids" that began with Beverly Cleary…[it] harks back to the time when helicopter parents didn't exist and free-range children didn't return home until dusk…Yet The Secret Tree is also a very contemporary tale, one that deals with changing friendships, sibling relations, betrayal and neglectful parenting—while still imbuing childhood with a sense of mystery…One can envision more titles fleshing out the back stories of the other residents of Woodlawn Road…These children are far too real to let their captivating tales end here.
—Lisa Von Drasek
From the Publisher
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." – BOOKLISTPraise 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
Kirkus Reviews
Middle-school dynamics, pesky sibling relations, a rumored haunted house, some truly heart-wrenching situations and a mystery all combine to make this coming-of-age novel an engrossing read. When 10-year-old Minty discovers a hollow tree in the woods that seems to be literally buzzing with secrets, actually finding a secret written on a scrap of paper stashed inside, it sets the stage for a slightly creepy, good old-fashioned mystery. Whose secret is this? What does it mean? Who is running around in the woods, taking pictures of neighbors? Solving these riddles only leads to more questions, and while Minty tries to figure out what's going on, she's also struggling with the fact that her best friend, Paz, seems to be growing up faster than she is. Minty acquires some secrets of her own, not least that she has befriended an apparently parentless kid, Raymond, who seems to live in an abandoned spec house and has some sort of relationship with the feared inhabitant of an old rundown place known as "the Witch House." Minty is a satisfying everygirl--just mischievous enough to seem real--and her interactions with Paz, their older teenage sisters and Paz's little sister Lennie and the "mean boys" from school recall universal coming-of-age experiences. The neat ending gratifies, with many of the issues having been resolved by the resourceful preteens themselves. (Mystery. 9-12)
