""In this luminous story full of mystery and magic, Elana K. Arnold weaves a shimmering tapestry about the lovely and surprising ways weâre connected to each other. Heart-healing, hopeful, and wonderfully inventive, this beautiful novel by a master storyteller is not to be missed."" âKatherine Applegate, Newbery Medal-winning author of The One and Only Ivan
Alder has always lived in his cozy little house in Southern California. And for as long as he can remember, the old, reliable, comforting walnut tree has stood between his house and the one next door. That is, until a new familyâwith a particularly annoying girl his ageâmoves into the neighboring house and, without warning, cuts it down.
Oak doesnât understand why her family had to move to Southern California. She has to attend a new school, find new friends, and live in a new house that isnât even readyâher mother had to cut down a tree on their property line in order to make room for a second floor. And now a strange boy next door wonât stop staring at her, like she did something wrong moving here in the first place.
As Oak and Alder start school together, they canât imagine ever becoming friends. But the two of them soon discover a series of connections between themâmysterious, possibly even magical puzzles they canât put together. At least not without each otherâs help.
Award-winning author Elana K. Arnold returns with an unforgettable story of the strange, wondrous threads that run between all of us, whether we know theyâre there or not.