When Stanley Stanwright finds a bone poking out of the earth in his back garden, he is determined to take a picture of it and send it to the Young Discoverer's Competition, thinking it will help bring his dad back home. But the bone begins to grow, reaching up out of the ground until it turns into a skeleton - a skeleton with an unusual interest in his unwell younger sister Miren.

As time wears on, Miren's condition worsens, and the only time she is truly at peace is when she is playing with the skeleton. But Stanley is wary of him, especially when he finally manages to get a picture, and spots a scythe at the skeleton's feet. . .

Skeleton Tree by Kim Ventrella is a whimsical, heartfelt story about a boy who finds a friend in Death with the help of an unusual tree growing in his back garden. With black line illustrations throughout by Victoria Assanelli.

There are a lot of things that grow in gardens. Bones aren't one of them.

About the Author

Kim Ventrella is a children's librarian, and a lover of weird, whimsical stories of all kinds. She lives in Oklahoma City. Skeleton Tree is her debut novel.

Victoria Assanelli loves drawing all things whimsy and dreamlike. She originally trained as a textile designer, but her love of books and drawing led her to pursue illustration. She is from Buenos Aires in Argentina.

Reviews
This is an amazing book and I would recommend it to people who like family stories and adventure stories. -- Jessica Cobbin, age 10 * for lovereading4kids.co.uk *
Lovely book, showing how a child deals with grief and family problems, filled with fun, adventure, and emotion. I couldn't put it down - a tear jerker, but an amazing book that I will recommend to all. -- Stanley, age 10 * for lovereading4kids.co.uk *
Skeleton Tree is an amazing story for sort hearted readers. I would rate it 10 out of 10 ... It wasn't hard to read and the story grips you so you want to read just one more page no matter where you are. -- Isaac East, age 11 * for lovereading4kids.co.uk *
I really enjoyed reading Skeleton Tree because I was desperate to know more and find out what would happen. -- Bella, age 10 * for lovereading4kids.co.uk *
I loved this book ... I loved the way Kim Ventrella made it seem like it was happening to me that the skeleton was in my back garden. -- Amina, age 11 * for lovereading4kids.co.uk *
This book is very emotional - I cried for a really long time when I finished it, and I don't normally cry about books... it made me feel very strongly, and that is what a good book does. -- Toby Little, Age 9 * for lovereading4kids.co.uk *
A memorable read and a set of beautifully portrayed and very realistic characters. -- Rosie Watch, Teacher * for lovereading4kids.co.uk *
This book was amazing and I give it a 5 star. I love the mystery and secrecy about it . . . I loved this so much. -- Ashley Patt, Yr 7, for lovereading4kids.co.uk



Book Information
ISBN 9781509828678
Author Kim Ventrella
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Macmillan Children's Books
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Weight(grams) 277g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 130mm * 20mm