Description
A tender Australian story about searching for the impossible in the places where magic and science meet.
For Carina Sugden, there is nothing more special than a moon tree - a tree grown from the seeds taken on the 1971 Apollo mission into space. Her father taught her everything she knows about them. But he passed away before they found one together.
When Mum relocates the family to a small town in the Otway Ranges, Carina becomes determined to find a moon tree on her own. Like a scientist, she methodically searches the forest behind her new house. But after a mysterious encounter with a black cockatoo, Carina realises there's magic in this forest. And if magic really exists, anything is possible, like seeing her dad one last time...
Meet Me at the Moon Tree is a heart-healing book about believing in magic, in science, and in the power of love.
Review
This is a truly touching and emotional story of a family dealing with grief.
Told through the eyes of 10-year-old Carina, the loss of her father is something that Carina, her brother Jack, her Mum, and Gramps are trying to navigate. The tree change was supposed to make things better, but it doesn't seem to be turning out that way.
Carina and her Dad had a special bond. They shared a love of science, and the magic of it, and Carina promised she would find the elusive Moon Tree that her Dad had told her about. But what happens if she finds it and it isn't as magical as she thinks? It won't bring him back, but can it help fix her family?
Grief is handled by everyone differently, and this is no different for Carina and her family. She has lost her Dad, but is she losing her Mum too? And how can she bring her family back together, without forgetting her Dad?
This is a very powerful, and at times sad and emotional story of family bonds, love, loss and ultimately hope.
Meet Me at the Moon Tree is beautifully written and highlights how special family bonds and memories are. A wonderful read for those aged 10 and above.
Teacher Notes supplied by the publisher are available on our website for this title.
Reviewed by Sam
