The Only Branch on the Family Tree by Sherryl Clark illustrated by Astred Hicks

Gemma's teacher sets a school assignment - draw and present your family tree. Everyone seems to be able to this easily - all except Gemma. Her family is just two people. No grandparents, no dad, no siblings, no cousins. Luckily Gemma is a problem solver so she decides to make a collage of pictures of 'mum and me'.

I started with the old photos

she'd put away

in boxes

and saved on the computer.

...

I found pictures of Mum

with her mum and dad

it's awful that they're gone

'they died,' she said

but then I found one photo

on the computer

that said something different.

Gemma discovers she does have a grandmother, and that she is alive, and even more surprising she does not live very far away. 

So now as a reader you will have lots of questions:

• Why did mum tell Gemma her grandmother had died?
• Will Gemma be able to find her grandmother?
• What will her grandmother say when she meets Gemma?
• Can Gemma solve this mystery and can she be brave and confront her mum about this lie?
• And are we heading for a happy ending for this family?

As with all good verse novels there is a deep emotional layer to this story. Readers aged 9+ are sure to enjoy this book and because it is so very short it is also perfect for reluctant readers. I also think this book might hook a few kids onto reading. Congratulations to UQP on the fabulous cover design - very appealing. 

This lovely verse novel from UQP and Sherryl Clark looks at family dynamics from a different perspective – about estrangement and isolation within families, because not every family is the same. ... Whilst the book doesn’t touch on the specifics of the conflict and estrangement, I think this is what makes it so much more powerful and allows readers to see themselves in this novel, especially if they have been through similar experiences to Gemma. The Book Muse

A couple of weeks ago I read Just Like Jackie. It is such a similar story and would be a perfect companion book to read after The Only Branch of the Family Tree.

Just like Jackie

I was so excited when UQP offered to send me this new verse novel by Sherryl Clark - I am a huge fan of her work and we had a brilliant day many years ago when she visited my school. I read all of these to children in my school library over many years:

This is one of my favourite Verse Novels

I need to find a copy for my own shelves

Hope you can find this one - perfect for all girls in Grade Six

Motormouth

 Mina and the whole wide world

POST UPDATE: I just discovered another book that includes the plot point of drawing up a family tree as part of a class project. I have added this book to my own "to read" list.

Publisher blurb: It’s the first week of middle school, and Ash (don’t call her “Ashley”) already has a class assignment: Make a family tree. But how can Ash make a family tree if she doesn’t have a family? Ever since she was four years old, Ash has been in foster care, living with one so-called family after another. Now she’s stuck with Gladys. And the only place Ash feels safe is in the branches of her favorite tree, drawing in her sketchbook, hidden from the view of Gladys’ son Jordan. As Jordan becomes harder to hide from, and more dangerous to be around, Ash isn’t sure who she can trust. A new friend, an old friend, some teachers at school? Sometimes the hardest part of asking for help is knowing who to ask.

Here is the Kirkus Star review.

Mina and the Whole Wide World by Sherryl Clark illustrated by Briony Stewart

I have to be kind

to someone else

a stranger

who's taking my room

Mina has been looking forward to moving into a room of her own and at last the day has come but mum and dad need her to be brave and generous and patient. 

Azzami and his mum

are refugees,

they've just moved to 

a new house but now his mum

is very sick in hospital

and Azzami needs

people to care for him

This may be the first time Mina has really heard or thought about the plight of refugees. Mina loves her new globe of the world and when the teacher shows the class the location of Afghanistan she begins to understand this young, very frighten boy, has travelled far and his silence and confusion need her kindness and understanding. Mina is young and her initial reactions to Azzami are immature and selfish but when she sees his life story, depicted in graphic form through his art, she finds a way to reach out to him and more importantly a way to show her whole class what Azzami has experienced. In turn this helps Azzami, we hope, as he makes his first tiny steps towards his new life here in Australia. 

The power of this book comes from the way Sherryl Clark gives Mina such an authentic and honest voice. Here are a set of very detailed and worthwhile teachers notes from UQP - I wonder why the author of the notes has not shared his or her name?

After you read Mina and the Whole Wide World please try to find a copy of The Colour of Home. It is the perfect book to explore themes of displacement, war, and the way art can help to tell a story - even a sad and distressing story. I also have a Pinterest of other picture books about the refugee experience. 

I read one reviewer who said this is a book for a "first time chapter book reader".  I disagree. This is a fairly simple book to read on one level, assisted by the verse novel format, but this book has quite deep emotional themes. I would recommend this book readers aged 8+. 

Mina and the Whole Wide World is a story with hefty overtones yet is told with a gentle poetic hand that allows space for readers to stop, reflect and imagine. .... A gem of a novel encompassing friendship, inter-racial harmony and compassion. Dim's Write Stuff

The use of verse and format of the text allows readers to digest the words, visualise what is happening, imagine and make connections. This endearing verse novel will tug at your heart and no doubt encourage conversations about attitude towards refugees in Australia. Reading Opens Doors

Read an interview with Sherryl where she talks about writing this book - in Finland!

Here are some companion reads which are also verse novels for younger readers.

Little Dog Lost

Little Cat's Luck

Applesauce Weather

Where I live

Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie

The Little Wave

Zoe, Max and the Bicycle Bus

Pearl verses the World

Runaways by Sherryl Clark

I am constantly amazed at the power of verse novels.  Sherryl Clark has written some of my favourites but I think Runaways is one of her best. What do you think of the cover?  I think it gives the impression this book is aimed at High School readers but really a middle primary student could easily read this powerful story.

The voices in this book alternate between Cassie and her brother Jack.  Mum and dad have split up and mum finds Jack difficult to handle then one day dad turns up again and within days he and Jack head off to Perth.

"then Dad's suitcase
is in the hallway
what a surprise
he's bolting again

except this time
Jack's backpack
is sitting there, too.

I tell Mum
not to let Jack go
I tell her
not to say yes
I tell her
Dad can't be trusted"

Cassie right, Dad cannot be trusted and Perth is not the place for Jack so he runs away.  Cassie is frantic with worry.  She needs to find Jack and keep him safe.  There is only one place to go - Grandad's little house by the sea.

Here is an excellent review and here is a terrific idea.  Sherryl Clark has produced some postcards which incorporate parts of the text from Runaways.

Take a look at Motormouth also by Sherryl Clark if you enjoy Runaways and other verse novels by Steven Herrick in particular Tom Jones saves the world.

Motormouth by Sherryl Clark

If you are a motormouth does it mean you talk to much or does it mean you talk to much about cars or does it mean you know a lot about cars?

This is the season for verse novels and here is one for the boys! Motormouth by Sherryl Clark is a terrific emotional roller coaster ride as we piece together the truth about Josh, the new kid in town and discover what has happened to Dave all through the eyes of their friend Chris.

The impact of this book reminded me of Steven Herrick and Tom Jones Saves the world or Do wrong Ron.

There are some great little gems in this writing “this kid Josh sticks to me like chewie on my runners.”…. "Dad takes to Josh like a flea to a dog”….

This is a very short book but it is so powerful. The illustrations, end papers and black and white graphics are just perfect. I think this book would be great reading for senior boys who have not yet discovered just how a book can tug at your emotions and include some funny parts too!