 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
View from the Cherry Tree
- By Willo Davis Roberts
- Genre: Mystery
Common Sense Media says
Exciting but flawed murder mystery for tweens.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that all the adults in this story are depicted as insensitive, uncaring, and self-centered. The child is no better, and this is never resolved. Also, the main character, a young boy, sees a woman die by hanging.
What's the story?
Rob likes to hang out in his cherry tree, especially now that his family is obsessed with his sister's wedding. He can get away and hide, but has a good view and can eavesdrop. One of the things he can see is the house of his nasty old neighbor, Mrs. Calloway. He even has a clear view of her when she falls out of her first-floor window and dies hanging from the branch of his tree by the strap of her binoculars.
Rob is sure he saw the hand of a man push her out the window, but no one will believe him -- or even listen to him. But someone is listening. Even when he is shot at and nearly poisoned, no one pays attention. But the murderer is after Rob -- and he has no one to rely on but himself.
Is it any good?
The first thing your kids will notice is that this is an exciting, suspenseful, edge-of-the-seat thriller with a climax that will keep them glued to the pages. The first thing you will notice is that this all sounds awfully familiar, starting with Aesop. But no matter -- it's good fun. After they finish, though, your kids may have a delayed, "Wait a minute ..." reaction, as they realize the plot makes little sense.
But even the gaping plot holes can be an opportunity for you to help your kids be more critical readers. This book can help them learn to go beyond merely accepting what the author tells them.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the way the family treats Rob. Why aren't they more concerned about him? Why won't anyone listen to him? Why are they so obsessed with the wedding? Also, discussion of the flaws in the plot can sharpen critical reading skills.
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AGE
Not fit for ages intended, maybe for ages over 13
This book is written as a murder/mystery for ages 9-11 and is definetly not fit for this age group. It has no good theme or moral to it. In the beginning, p.4 it uses the words "son of a b***in cat" which leads to the name of the cat being called "S.O.B." throughout the entire book. There is a murder description that begins on p. 53 that is very descript and disturbing. At one point the main character is offered casually a beer. The murder takes place because of a bag of heroine that is hidden in the woman's house and she will not give it to a young adult man. All the adults in this story are depicted as insensitive and disrespectful to the boy (main character), even the police when he goes to them for help. This book was given my 5th grade child as a class read, and I was very disturbed that it was considered "approved material" for elementary age. This is the first children's book written by the author who normally writes gothic, adult murder mystery and medical mystery fiction. Would we let our young children read the first children's book written by Steven King? Probably not. The actual book was only an "okay" read for entertainment in my opinion for anyone. There are much better choices.
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Kid, 12 years old
October 5, 2010
AGE
SUPER DUPER READ!!!!!
WHOEVER SAID IT WASN'T GOOD FOR 10 YEAR OLDS IS NOT VERY BRIGHT! I know about drugs because my dad's a cop. Kids should know what they are. It won't hurt them to know what the real world is.It was a fantastic read to me. I've never read a mystery as well written as this one. It keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole way through.
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Kid, 12 years old
August 2, 2010
AGE
love it want to read it again and again
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Kid, 12 years old
October 9, 2011
AGE
outstanding mystery book!
i love this book. it is a mystery that is so thrilling. this mystery book is the best book far I read. This is how a good, true mystery book is suppose to be. i recommend it to everyone who loves to find out the juicy mystery in a great book!
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AGE
Was given to my daughter at age 6 ir 7 through RIF program. I "cleaned house" at both the school board and her school, from principal on down. Even went to the local newspapers. The language is very inappropriate for a second-grader and overall tone of the book is negative.
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| Author: | Willo Davis Roberts |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Mystery |
| Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date: | July 1, 1998 |
| Number of pages: | 181 |
| Paperback price: | $4.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 8 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 9 |
| Read alone: | 9 |
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