Books with title Secret in the Maple Tree

Kari McKenzie and her family have sold their home and have moved a thousand miles away, to live on Grandpa Rob’s farm with his elderly sister, Lizzy. During the next few weeks, Kari learns things about her family that she had not known, and learns first-hand how keeping secrets from family members can affect the lives of many people, sometimes in unforgivable ways. While exploring her new surroundings, Kari helps in finding new evidence that may solve a seventy-five-year-old mystery and return a missing baby to its home.

"Abby, age six, grows up with the beginning stalk of an apple tree. Because she cultivates, waters and cares for Tree, she unlocks his heart and he speaks to her. Only Abby can hear him. Her childhood is spent around Tree as they grow together. Tree's wise counsel teaches her the lessons of life. Birthdays, graduation, a wedding are held under Tree's sheltering branches. Rather than the parent being an authoritarian figure, a loving tree teaches lessons of making good choices, kindness, responsibility and love. As both grow older, Tree no longer bears as many apples and his bark becomes cracked. They both realize Tree's life is diminishing. Tree has a sad end when he comes crashing down at Abby's feet in a violent storm. With his last breath he tells a tearful Abby he has left her a secret and a happy surprise for the finale."

Kari McKenzie and her family have sold their home and have moved a thousand miles away, to live on Grandpa Rob's farm with his elderly sister, Lizzy. During the next few weeks, Kari learns things about her family that she had not known, and learns first-hand how keeping secrets from family members can affect the lives of many people, sometimes in unforgivable ways. While exploring her new surroundings, Kari helps in finding new evidence that may solve a seventy-five-year-old mystery and return a missing baby to its home.

"[The Secret Tree] reminds me of a Stephen King novel in its layering of the story, and the supernatural and very human elements knit together as the tale progresses." ~ R.L. Dove ABOUT THE SECRET TREE: When 13-year old Andy Harper inherits a secret from his dying neighbor, Mr. Beasley, he discovers how sinister the world can be, what true friendship means, and that being a hero in 1959 may cost him his life. Grieving from his father's disappearance and his grandfather's death, Andy is nearly hopeless. The intrigue of the secret, and his friendship with Mr. Beasley, give him a renewed sense of purpose. But when the men who used to run with the local mob discover that Andy knows about the "secret", they come out of the shadows and a hunt for the evil truth begins. Andy finds himself fighting for his life, committed to his promise, and searching for answers in a house haunted by a one-handed witch. "This book has everything! It's creepy, touching, sad, thrilling and suspenseful. This is definitely Bennington's best yet!" ~ Krista Glavin "I loved it! A wonderful creepy novel." ~ Sue Davis "The supernatural aspect is entertaining but it's the story as a whole that leaves the reader with a good sense of community and self. I'd recommend this book for anyone from 9 to 90. It's a warm story and an easy read. I loved it!" - Bonnie Patmore From Patrick Bousum and Jeff Bennington, best-selling author of REUNION, TWISTED VENGEANCE, AND THE CREEPY series.

Abby, age six, grows up with the beginning stalk of an apple tree. Because she cultivates, waters and cares for Tree, she unlocks his heart and he speaks to her. Only Abby can hear him. Her childhood is spent around Tree as they grow together. Tree’s wise counsel teaches her the lessons of life. Birthdays, graduation, a wedding are held under Tree’s sheltering branches. Rather than the parent being an authoritarian figure, a loving tree teaches lessons of making good choices, kindness, responsibility and love. As both grow older, Tree no longer bears as many apples and his bark becomes cracked. They both realize Tree’s life is diminishing. Tree has a sad end when he comes crashing down at Abby’s feet in a violent storm. With his last breath he tells a tearful Abby he has left her a secret and a happy surprise for the finale.

A sweet story of a tree that's literally filled with secrets. What is your secret? Minty's neighborhood is full of mysteries. There's the Witch House, a spooky old farmhouse on the other side of the woods from where Minty and her best friend, Paz, live. There's the Man Bat, a seven-foot-tall half-man, half-bat who is rumored to fly through the woods. And there are the Mean Boys, David and Troy, who torment Minty for no reason, and her boy-crazy older sister, Thea, who acts weirder and weirder. One day Minty spots a flash in the woods, and when she chases after it, she discovers a new mystery - a Secret Tree, with a hollow trunk that holds the secrets of everyone in the neighborhood. Secrets like: I put a curse on my enemy. And it's working. I'm betraying my best friend in a terrible way. No one loves me except my goldfish.