A summer full of secrets — The Secrets of Tree Taylor reviewed
The Secrets of Tree Taylor by Dandi Daley Mackall
Reviewed by Julia (Richview YAG)
This novel is set in the summer of 1963 in the small town of Hamilton, Missouri. Tree Taylor is a thirteen-year-old budding writer and has two goals to accomplish before she enters grade nine: to experience her first kiss and to write an investigative article good enough to get her the freshman position on the school newspaper. When there is a shooting on her street, she is certain this is her chance at investigating a real story; until she realizes what it means to uncover and carry a secret, and discovers that she suddenly is holding more secrets than she is able to deal with. Meanwhile, the cloud of the far-away Vietnam War hangs in the background, and soon comes to affect her in a way she never expected it to.
One of the things I loved most about this book was the way the author plays with the concept of a secret. At the beginning of the novel, Tree’s world appears predictable, and it is clear that she has friends and family members to whom she can'tell anything. However, the reader very quickly realizes that all the little hints provided in the first few chapters have the potential to become nests of secrets, and do; but Mackall reveals their presence slowly and discreetly, so that the reader finds themself in the exact same position as Tree, caught in a web of secrets. As well, the narrative is woven through with a variety of quotes, which Tree collects in her notebook and which a mysterious visitor leaves on the handles of her bike; many about writing,some about secrets, and others that fit whatever is happening in the story. They give the reader something to think about that goes beyond the pages of the story, and add to the feeling of being ensnared in a web while at the same time providing glimpses of hope that Tree might be able to free herself. All in all, this novel is amazing, and will surely be enjoyed by any aspiring writer or anyone who has ever found themselves in possession of a secret.
3 thoughts on “A summer full of secrets — The Secrets of Tree Taylor reviewed”
Sounds like a very interesting and mysterious book, especially since it is set at a different time frame.
You like books set in a different time frame too??? I love those! It’s like a portal to another time…Just great. This novel certainly sounds mysterious.
The plot sounds unique and it looks like you really enjoyed the writing. I’ll be sure to pick up this book when I see it.