Other editions of book The Arborist

When eleven-year-old Charlie Roebecker befriends Chief Goodyear, a homeless evacuee from Hurricane Katrina, he is not expecting any miracles. As he says, you can do only small things to fix a big problem. Chief Goodyear is an arborist - a fixer of trees. Along with the stray dog he has brought from the flooded city, he leaves an overcrowded relief shelter in search of work and space to breath. His arrival starts Charlie on a mission to help the stranger get a new start. As Christmas nears, Charlie's family make their annual trip to the tree lot where they choose the perfect tree. Charlie brings home a scrawny little pine with a crooked trunk and no top - The Puny - which he plans to decorate and give to the Chief. Charlie's sister calls it a sick midget tree puked from the forest. His best friend says it's creepy looking. But Charlie knows better. He has the imagination to see what the little tree might become. And in the hands of an arborist - who knows what could happen!

When eleven-year-old Charlie Roebecker befriends Chief Goodyear, a homeless evacuee from Hurricane Katrina, he is not expecting any miracles. As Charlie says, "You can do only small things to fix a big problem." Chief Goodyear is an arborist--a fixer of trees. His arrival in Charlie's town starts the boy on a mission to help the homeless stranger get a new start. As Christmas nears, Charlie's family makes their annual trip to a tree lot. Charlie brings home a scrawny little pine with a crooked trunk and no top--The Puny--which he plans to decorate and give to the Chief. Charlie's sister calls it "a sick, midget tree puked from the forest." His best friend finds it creepy looking. But Charlie knows better. He has the imagination to see what the little tree might become. And in the hands of an arborist--who knows what could happen!

When eleven-year-old Charlie Roebecker befriends Chief Goodyear, a homeless evacuee from Hurricane Katrina, he is not expecting any miracles. As Charlie says, "You can do only small things to fix a big problem." Chief Goodyear is an arborist—a fixer of trees. His arrival in Charlie’s town starts the boy on a mission to help the homeless stranger get a new start. As Christmas nears, Charlie's family makes their annual trip to a tree lot. Charlie brings home a scrawny little pine with a crooked trunk and no top—The Puny—which he plans to decorate and give to the Chief. Charlie's sister calls it "a sick, midget tree puked from the forest." His best friend finds it creepy looking. But Charlie knows better. He has the imagination to see what the little tree might become. And in the hands of an arborist—who knows what could happen!

The Arborist tells the story of Charlie Roebecker, an eleven year old, small-town boy, who befriends a homeless evacuee from Hurricane Katrina. This Christmas novella elaborates on the theme of modern charity. How do we treat those in need? Why are we more charitable to the unnamed masses than to those desperate, shabby individuals we skulk past in the streets? An inspiring holiday story that mixes a modern flavor with the traditional miracle tale.