Description
A poignant middle-grade verse novel about family estrangement and reconciliation from Prime Minister's Literary Award-winning author Sherryl Clark.
It's always been Gemma and her mum - just the two of them. As close as best friends. But while researching a class project about family, Gemma makes a life-changing discovery. Her nan is not dead, like Mum told her, but alive and well and living close by.
Gemma now has huge question marks hanging over her. Why would Mum lie about this? What is her nan like? And what would happen if Gemma tried to find her?
The Only Branch on the Family Tree is a story about secrets, forgiveness and finding a way for relationships to blossom.
Review
When Gemma has to complete a project on her family tree it should be easy. After all, it has only ever been Mum and Gemma, and that has always seemed like enough.
But, while working on the project, she discovers that her Nan might not actually be dead. With the encouragement of her best friend, Marley, she uncovers that her Nan is indeed alive. But why has her Mum lied to her and told her that her Nan was dead for all of Gemma’s life?
This is a terrific, easy to read verse novel about family feuds and estrangement. It is a story of family secrets and finding ways, especially with important family members, to have a relationship through forgiveness and understanding. I loved it, and I think that it will be a positive and enlightening read for students aged from 9 to 12 years. It could easily be used as a group read to open discussions as well.
Teacher Notes prepared by the publisher are available on our website for this title.
