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Overview
Tree, a six-foot-three-inch twelve-year-old, copes with his parents' recent divorce and his failure as an athlete by helping his grandfather, a Vietnam vet and recent amputee, and Sophie, a new girl at school.
Tree, a six-foot-three-inch twelve-year-old, copes with his parents' recent divorce and his failure as an athlete by helping his grandfather, a Vietnam vet and recent amputee, and Sophie, a new girl at school.
Synopsis
Tree is twelve years old and too tall, six feet, three and a half inches and growing. He's never really been able to fit in at school or on the basketball team, and since his parents' divorce he isn't even comfortable in his own home. Tree copes by helping people like his grandpa, a Vietnam vet who's just had part of a leg amputated, and Sophie, a new girl at school who is being teased by the popular kids. In helping his grandpa learn to walk again, and in listening to Sophie's advice that he be himself, Tree begins to heal, to stand tall. But when a flood threatens his town and his home, Tree's newfound confidence is put to the test.
Publishers Weekly
In her heartfelt and humorous novel, Bauer (Hope Was Here) leaves teenage girl protagonists in favor of a middle-grade boy as she did also in Sticks (1996). But her fans won't be disappointed. At first, 12-year-old Tree, "six feet, three and a half inches and growing," only literally "stands tall." At school, Coach Glummer expects him to lead the basketball team (though he's not very athletic) and teachers expect him to act older than his age. On the home front which shifts weekly due to his parents' recent divorce and joint custody arrangement Tree is the glue of his family. He helps care for his Vietnam vet grandfather (who recently had a leg amputated) while worrying about his aging dog, Bradley, his two college-student brothers and his parents. Bolstered by his budding friendship with the outspoken new girl at school, Sophie, and by Grandpa, Tree finds an inner strength that helps him deal with just about anything including a natural disaster. Bauer once again creates a clan of believable characters scrambling to make the best of their particular brand of dysfunction. Her swiftly paced story artfully blends poignant and outright funny moments, resulting in a triumphant tale that will resonate with many young readers. Ages 10-up. (Aug.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
A Los Angeles Times Book Review Best Children's Book of 2002The Barnes & Noble Review
Acclaimed author Joan Bauer, author of the Newbery Honor book Hope Was Here, gives us a heartfelt look at courage and pride through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy, "the tallest seventh-grade boy in the history of Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School."
Tree, nicknamed for his towering six-foot, three-and-a-half-inch frame, is having a tough time finding reasons to "stand tall." Being one of the "nonathletic nobodies," unable to shoot a basket despite his height -- and with parents on less than friendly terms after their divorce -- Tree feels out of place, with his inner strength at a dim flicker. After his Vietnam vet grandpa has part of his leg amputated and he meets a sure-footed (and unpopular) girl at school, Tree begins to discover that his sizable his body holds a pretty big heart. Yet when a flood hits the town and his old dog, Bradley, has a stroke, Tree uses his remarkable gifts to learn that "everything's got a purpose, really -- you just have to look for it."
Using themes of purpose and inspiration that are familiar to her fans, Bauer brings readers a journey inward through the character of a boy whose awkward feelings shadow the true stuff inside. Tree, with a solid and compassionate demeanor, is instantly likable, and the strength he uses to block life's curve balls will resonate with young readers, especially boys. A powerful read with emotions and layers that come together like the branches of an oak, Stand Tall is another Joan Bauer winner that will keep readers thinking. Matt Warner
Publishers Weekly
In her heartfelt and humorous novel, Bauer (Hope Was Here) leaves teenage girl protagonists in favor of a middle-grade boy as she did also in Sticks (1996). But her fans won't be disappointed. At first, 12-year-old Tree, "six feet, three and a half inches and growing," only literally "stands tall." At school, Coach Glummer expects him to lead the basketball team (though he's not very athletic) and teachers expect him to act older than his age. On the home front which shifts weekly due to his parents' recent divorce and joint custody arrangement Tree is the glue of his family. He helps care for his Vietnam vet grandfather (who recently had a leg amputated) while worrying about his aging dog, Bradley, his two college-student brothers and his parents. Bolstered by his budding friendship with the outspoken new girl at school, Sophie, and by Grandpa, Tree finds an inner strength that helps him deal with just about anything including a natural disaster. Bauer once again creates a clan of believable characters scrambling to make the best of their particular brand of dysfunction. Her swiftly paced story artfully blends poignant and outright funny moments, resulting in a triumphant tale that will resonate with many young readers. Ages 10-up. (Aug.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.KLIATT
Sam is known as "Tree" because he is already over 6' 3", even though he is only in seventh grade. He isn't athletic, like his older brothers, and his classmates tease him. His parents have recently divorced, and Tree finds it stressful to keep shuttling between their two households. To top it all off, his old dog is fading fast. But Tree still has some high spots in his life. He adores his grandfather, a funny, tough Vietnam vet who has just had part of his leg amputated, and finds satisfaction in helping him and in his knack for fixing and inventing things. Tree also helps out an outspoken new eighth-grade girl, Sophie, and they become friends. She urges him to take pride in himself, but it isn't until a flood strikes their town that Tree really finds his purpose in life and takes pride in his size. Bauer, the Newbery Honor author of Hope Was Here and other fine books for YAs, has the knack of making her affection for her characters contagious. She writes funny, convincing dialogue, too, and if the life lessons here are spelled out clearly, that's all to the good. "Loss helps you reach for gain," Tree learns, and his story is genuinely heartwarming. Category: Hardcover Fiction. KLIATT Codes: J*—Exceptional book, recommended for junior high school students. 2002, Penguin Putnam, 192p.,— Paula Rohrlick; KLIATT
From The Critics
At six feet three inches tall, twelve year-old "Tree" is a middle school giant. Thus far, this has proven to be a source of trouble, criticism and teasing. Now, he is slowly realizing the strength he can obtain in his size throughout the events of the story. Along with his disabled Veteran grandfather, unpopular best friend, and newly divorced parents, Tree is learning how to struggle through "war" without losing hope. Though the situation seems unbearable, Tree and the others look to each other for support. When things seem like they just might work out, the entire town is struck with the devastation of an unexpected flood. This forces the community and Tree's family to unite in making it through the flood and rebuilding. Through these and other events, Tree is slowly learning how to stand tall amidst difficulties, using his height as a strength. In that journey, we learn how to maintain hope against all odds. 2002, G.P. Putnam's Sons, 192 pp.,— Katie Marshall