Reach
Wishtree meets Song for a Whale, in this beautifully moving story about a boy whose wish for his family to return to the way it used to be, teaches him the real meaning of roots and the new ones that can grow if we let them.
Ever since getting a little stepbrother named Harlan, Denver hasn’t felt like he fits into his own family.
Lots of people find Harlan charming, but not Denver. His pesky stepbrother tags along everywhere Denver goes, breaking things and wanting Denver’s attention every. single. second.
After an especially disastrous morning, Denver escapes to the forest, experiencing a whiff of ancient magic when he meets an old and dignified but lonely tree named Spiro. When Spiro offers to turn Harlan into a tree for a few hours, Denver jumps at the chance—only to realize he’s made a mistake when nobody, including his mom and stepdad, seems to remember Harlan existed. And now Spiro isn’t certain he can reverse the transformation. To save Harlan, Denver will need to find out what happened to Spiro to make him so disconnected from the other trees in the forest . . . but to do so, the change he might have to make first is within himself.
Trade Reviews
“The tone is heartfelt and gentle from the start. . . There are no villains here, just a desperately lonely tree and a guarded boy, and the tender ending that finds them both feeling less alone is the literary version of a comfy, homemade quilt. A thoughtful author’s note offers additional (factual) reflections on the ways that a forest is more of a tight web than a series of individual plants and animals.”
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“In this empathetic speculative novel. . . Denver’s complex feelings surrounding his parents’ divorce and his shifting relationship with Harlan, forms parallel narratives about the impact of grief and change across families.”
Publisher's Weekly
“The forest setting provides rich sensory details, and Mae’s unique perspective adds depth to the magical elements. . . Denver’s character growth from resentment to acceptance feels authentic . . . [in this] exploration of family bonds.”
Kirkus Reviews
Curriculum Guide
Add Reach to your curriculum with this free, teacher-created guide that includes discussion questions, engaging activites for students (including a recipe for homemade ice cream!), and writing exercises to help students make connections with the story. Click the link below to download.
Reader Reviews
A heartwarming and magical story for any reader searching for where they truly belong in a family. Kids will be drawn into Denver's satisfying journey of finding family roots and unexpected connections.
★★★★★
J.L. Esplin, author of 96 Miles
A beautiful story of love and connection for anyone who's ever felt like a stranger in their own family.
★★★★★
PJ Gardner, author of the Horace & Bunwinkle series and The Great Zoodini
Breathtaking. Magical. Heartwarming. Reach is filled with a simple, gentle wisdom that will speak to kids and adults alike.
★★★★★
Emalee S., educator and writer
Book Trailer!
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