Thank you Walker Books for this book in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:
Do naught wrong by the mulberry tree, or she’ll take your daughters … one, two, three…. Ten-year-old Immy and her family run away from their storm cloud of problems to a tiny village in Cambridgeshire, England. When they find an adorable thatched cottage to begin a perfect new life in, the only downside is the ancient, dark and fierce-looking mulberry tree in the back garden. And the legend that comes with it – the villagers say the tree steals away girls living in the cottage on the eve of their eleventh birthday. Of course, Immy thinks this is ridiculous. Then she starts to hear a strange song in her head …Allison Rushby’s new novel for middle-grade readers is a captivating, spooky mystery.
Review:
Once I read the blurb for this book I knew I had to read it straight away! And I am so glad that I did. The Mulberry Tree is a delightful and inspiring tale with such a beautiful undelaying meaning to it that I clutched the book to my chest with a massive smile on my face!
Immy and her family move to a tiny village in England, where they stumble across a lifeless mulberry tree in the back yard of their dream house but the tree is not all that it seems. After a warning from the real estate agent and the towns people, Immy and her family ignored the treat. Realistically how can a tree steal a little girl on the eve of her 11th birthday? It’s just not possible is it? Moving to a new area and making new friends would be hard enough for our young Immy without the treat of the tree lurking in her very own backyard.
I had all the feels through this book. So MANY feelings! At the start I was sure that the tree was evil, and then I soon felt pity for the tree before wanting my very own mulberry tree in my own back yard!
Immy, our delightful main character was amazing! For a young child she was mature for her age, and absolutely filled with courage! Not wanting to believe in the mystery of the child stealing tree, Immy starts off believe that this would have to be an old folk tale, even though her neighbour who was friends with the children that was taken when she was younger, advises her to remain safe and cautious.
Though as time wears on Immy is starting to feel effected by the tree and as her birthday looms closer, Immy is trying to find out what made the tree this way and how she can help.
I loved this book. It was truly beautiful with the underlying meaning of not to fear something but to try and aid it. In today’s society, you will generally notice that people don’t stop to help one another, they rush along with their own business pretending that person or poor animal wasn’t even there. While reading this book I remembered this social study on YouTube where they had a little girls and dressed her up beautifully and sent her into a restaurant where people where asking if she needed help and if she was hungry. A few hours later they had the same girl and dressed her up as though she was homeless and no one came to her aid and told her to get out. This left this little girl in tears and it was emotionally torn as people wouldn’t help her and treated her poorly. This was a child! Regardless of the appearance or the circumstance people need to be more understanding and passionate and helpful. And the fact this middle grade book brought this to the table and served it up nicely was tremendous in my book.
I loved the characters as well. Actually let’s be honest there wasn’t a thing wrong with this book. The characters, including Immy’s parents were realistic, caring but firm and they had their own flaws as well which was beautiful to see.
I haven’t read any of Allison Rushby’s work but I will be on the hunt for it now. Rushby’s words were charismatic and flowed smoothly together that I couldn’t tear myself away. I picked this book up and couldn’t put it down and had to read it in one sitting, it was remarkable and mesmerizing. A true gem. I highly recommend that your purchase this book. It is well worth the read.
Rating 5/5
ISBN: 9781760650292
Publisher: Walker Books