Source: From the Publisher in Exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Rating:
Goodreads Synopsis:
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.
Review:
The story follows Denver a young boy who is learning how to be a part of a new family with his step-father and brother, and his dad and step-mom have a baby too, so everything has changed pretty suddenly for him.
This was such a magical and emotional middle grade read. Denver felt so relatable, especially as he struggled with suddenly having to adapt to new family dynamics without really getting the support or understanding he needed. The sibling and family relationships felt very realistic, and you could genuinely feel Denver’s frustration, jealousy, and loneliness through the story.
The fantasy elements were wonderful. I loved the idea of the trees being able to communicate with people, and Spiro was such an interesting tree. He was wise, lonely, and mysterious all at once... The magic in the forest felt enchanting, but there was also a tension that kept the anxiety building.
One of the strongest parts of the book was how well the themes were handled. Denver’s journey toward understanding both himself and the people around him felt natural and meaningful, even though he figures it all out through helping Spiro and Harlan. It all felt very heartfelt.
The pacing was excellent and the tension built surprisingly well as Harlan became more tree-like and people stopped remembering him. For a middle grade story, there were moments that felt genuinely unsettling, which made the emotional payoff even stronger.
Overall, this was a beautifully written story with magic, heart, and real emotional depth. Definitely one of my favorite middle grade reads lately.
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