The Great Treehouse War
Lisa Graff, Author
Philomel Books, Fiction, May 16, 2017
Suitable for Ages : 8-12
Themes: Parents, Divorce, Interpersonal relationships, Friendship, Tree houses, Humor
Synopsis: On the last day of fourth grade, everything in Winnie’s world changed. That was the day Winnie’s parents got divorced and decided that Winnie would live three days a week with each of them and spend Wednesdays by herself in a treehouse smack between their houses, to divide her time evenly. Before the divorce, her parents didn’t care much about holidays except Thanksgiving. When her mother realized she was never going to celebrate Thanksgiving with Winnie because it fell on Thursday, she decided to pick a new holiday and celebrate it better. The competition began and soon every day was a special holiday, as each parent tried to outdo the other: Ice Cream Sandwich Day, Underwear Day, National Slinky Day, Talk Like Shakespeare Day, and so on. Winnie was kept so busy, she couldn’t study or finish her homework. Wednesdays in the Treehouse became a sanctuary with her cat, Buttons. When her teacher warned her she was at risk of not passing fifth grade, Winnie had enough. That’s when Winnie’s seed of frustration with her parents was planted. That seed grew until it felt like it was as big as a tree itself.
By the end of fifth grade, Winnie decided that the only way to change things was to barricade herself in her treehouse until her parents come to their senses. Her friends ,who have their own parent issues, decided to join her. It’s kids versus grown-ups, and no one wants to back down first. But with ten demanding kids in one treehouse, Winnie discovered that things can get pretty complicated pretty fast!
Why I like this book:
Lisa Graff’s witty storytelling makes The Great Treehouse War a superb summer read for kids. And it will fulfill any child’s dream of wanting to live in a treehouse — especially a two-story treehouse built 15 feet off the ground. It is equipped with a bathroom, art station, skylights, bookshelves, a toaster oven, shelves full of fruit loops and a zip line escape to Winnie’s Uncle Huck’s house.
It is a cleverly designed book by Graff for kids who are in fifth grade and preparing to move on to middle school. It offers readers both tantalizing prose and humorous drawings and doodles, maps, sticky note comments, how-to instructions, plans, and treehouse rules. It has a comic book appeal to it and is perfect for the intended age group.
There are 10 Tulip Street kids with 10 very distinct and quirky personalities, which add to the fun and mayhem. Their diversity is uneventful, because the only way you know they are diverse is by their names like Winifred Malladi-Maraj (aka Winnie). Winnie is a spunky, creative, compassionate and courageous heroine. She possesses what she and Uncle Huck describe at “artist vision,” where she is able to intuitively observe the needs of others. Her cat, Buttons, is the greatest cat in the world. Other memorable characters include: Lyle and his tooth collection; Jolee the scrabble champ; Greta and her friendship bracelets; the twins Brogan the acrobat and Logan the jokester; and Tabitha and her lizards.
The plot is wacky and unique because Winnie’s divorced parents have her trapped in the middle of their selfish battle for equal access to their daughter. Any child being pulled in two different directions by divorced parents, will relate to the unfairness of it all. Graff’s silly and sometimes outrageous approach to divorce is age appropriate and makes the topic easier to digest. There are other unusual subplots that make this book such a clever read, but I won’t spoil it for readers.
Lisa Graff is the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of A Clatter of Jars, Lost in the Sun, Absolutely Almost, A Tangle of Knots, Double Dog Dare, Sophie Simon Solves Them All, Umbrella Summer, The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower, and The Thing About Georgie. You can visit Lisa Graff at her website.
Check other Middle Grade review links on author Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.
Sadly, I know kids who have parents like Winnie’s and use their kids as pawns. I’m sure many of these kids would love to have a tree house where they can hide out. Pat, this sounds like a fun read that many kids will relate to. Great selection for review.
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Fixed it. Have done it myself many times. Yes, it is sad when kids become trapped in the middle. This story is packed with humor and could let kids know they aren’t alone.
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I’ve always enjoyed books by Lisa Graff. This on is high on my TBR list. This very unusual story line and the humor should attract a lot of young readers. Thanks for featuring.
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You will love The Great Treehouse War. It has so many dynamics and is packed with a lot of humor. Unfortunately, many kids who feel stuck in the middle of a divorce, will relate to this story. But, this is a fun read!
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I am a big fan of Lisa Graff. This sounds like a really good book. I will definitely check it out. Thanks for the heads up.
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I have put off sharing my review, because I thought many of you had reviewed it. You will love Graff’s novel!
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Tackling very real and difficult issues. Thank you for sharing.
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It is a humorous story with many layers. There will be many kids will identify with Winnie’s problem.
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This is already on my list. I hope I can get to it soon. It’s great to know that it also has value to help kids going through hard times. Thanks.
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Yes, it will help kids sharing similar experiences and they will find it very entertaining!
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Oh my gosh, this sounds like a wonderful book for kids going through a divorce. Living in a tree house one day a week sounds super fun too, if a bit cold XD. Thanks for sharing!
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It is such wacky story, about a serious topic. You would enjoy reading it just for the fun of it!
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This one sounds delightful, Patricia, with all its extra interesting bits to engage children. I want to live in the treehouse with Winnie! Thanks for sharing this one.
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Me too! I think living in a treehouse is every child’s dream! But, this also is a story about a child caught in the middle of two parents.
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Yes, I think there are many children who would identify with that situation and feel torn between the two. It’s important to have books that can help them work through their emotions.
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Sounds like a fun read – especially for a kid who feels that constant parent competition for access and favor. Great pick!
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It is Lisa Graff and it is entertaining, but has an important theme about kids of divorce.
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Kudos to the author for finding whimsy within the lesson, within the words that may help children who are split between two parents. The treehouse is outstanding!
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Yes, it is a book with an important theme. But, it is also entertaining. Kids do all of the problem solving.
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I loved Lisa Graff’s other books but haven’t had a chance to read this one yet. Good to know it’s so much fun. The treehouse sounds worthy of Treehouse Masters — like something we’d all enjoy living in.
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Yes, I know I would! It is a story many kids will identify with, but also is entertaining.
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