My Magic Tree

The story centers on a young protagonist dealing with the heavy shadow of a family tragedy. While the 'magic tree' serves as a metaphorical and literal sanctuary, the core of the book is a grounded, realistic exploration of how a middle schooler navigates school life, sibling dynamics, and parental grief while trying to find their own footing. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals directly with death and the emotional fallout of a traumatic event. The approach is secular and highly realistic, though it uses the 'magic tree' as a creative outlet for the protagonist. The resolution is not a 'fix' but a realistic movement toward integration and hope. EMOTIONAL ARC: It begins in a place of heavy, suffocating grief and gradually lightens as the protagonist finds ways to communicate their internal state. It is a slow, meditative build that rewards the reader with a sense of resilience. IDEAL READER: A 12-year-old who has experienced a significant loss and feels like they have to be the 'strong' one or who has retreated into books and drawing to avoid the pain of reality. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might see their child becoming unusually quiet, avoiding social activities they once loved, or expressing that 'nothing matters anymore' after a loss. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware that the book does not shy away from the visceral feeling of sadness. It is helpful to read alongside the child or preview the chapters dealing with the specific details of the family's loss to be ready for questions. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers (10) will focus on the sanctuary of the tree and the physical safety it represents, while older readers (13-14) will better grasp the nuance of the protagonist's changing relationship with their grieving parents. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many books on grief that focus on the event itself, this book focuses on the 'after,' specifically how imagination acts as a survival mechanism.