Thursday, March 26, 2020

Brainstorm 208: Treehouse Time

Have a whole lot of pent up creative energy but also want to get out of your house while maintaining social distancing? Maybe it is time to build a treehouse. Or at least go hang out in one virtually. Now, there are two levels of treehouse. The first is the casual backyard hang out place only meant to be shelter for a few minutes or hours at a time. Then there’s the serious, I’m-living-in-this-thing treehouses. I’ve mixed in a few middle grade, young adult, and adult books that feature settlements or cultures who live full time up in the branches of some trees. Click on the title for my full review of each book including any content warnings.


The Ark Plan (Edge of Extinction, #1) by Laura Martin
Scientists figured out how to bring back dinosaurs using DNA from fossils. For a while, things were really cool with new dinosaur pets and zoo attractions. But now the dinosaurs rule most of the Earth, and the few people who the microbes the dinos brought with them have retreated underground into one of the 4 Compounds set up by the Noah. The Noah is the ruler of the world now. Life is pretty good for most of the humans in the compounds, except for Sky. Sky's father disappeared above ground five years ago and was labeled a spy. Since then, Sky has been a ward of the compound but not treated very well. On her birthday, she discovers that her father did leave a note for her those five years ago. It was hidden in the compass he gave her. The note says that if he didn't come back within 4 years, she needs to get a data plug to a spot in Lake Michigan. Sky has been told all her life that going topside is suicide. But her dad's note says the survival of the planet depends on her taking this message North.
Why is this book included? Sky comes across a settlement topside that lives in the trees.

Target Readers:

  • Dystopia Fans, Dinosaur Lovers, High Action Fans, Survival Fans, Middle Grade Fiction Readers


The Deceiver’s Heart (The Traitor’s Game, #2) by Jennifer A. Nielsen
There’s a big bad guy named Endrick who is taking over more and more of the land. He’s also pretty much impossible to kill, capture, or even touch. In the first book the heroes were looking for a legendary blade rumored to be the only thing Endrick isn’t immune to. In this book, things aren't looking so good for anyone. Kestra's attempt to kill Lord Endrick failed miserably and now she's an Ironheart. A new guy is in charge of the Halderians, a guy who is more about fighting than strategy. Endrick has a spy among the Coracks, and their plans keep getting foiled. Simon is just trying to save Kestra, but that is looking harder and harder. Everyone has their own ideas of what should be done with her or to her. Simon just wants back the girl he loves. But with Endrick's messing with her mind and heart, is the Kestra he loved even in there anymore?
Why is this book included? There’s a pretty cool fortification in the treetops in one area and the good guys and bad guys have a battle there.

Target Readers:

  • Fans of Characters with Unique Abilities, Underdog Revolution Fans, Complex Political Setup Fans, Complicated Love Story Fans, Fantasy Fans, Young Adult Fiction Readers


Edge of Oblivion (The Chronicles of Sarco, #1) by Joshua A. Johnston
A new threat has entered the universe. A strange planet-sized thing is invading Confederacy space, refuses communication, and leaves no one living on ships or planets that come under its strange white beam. It leaves one message. Malum has come. Grasping at straws since no weapons have been able to even reach the surface of Malum, the Confederacy is sending Captain Jared Carter and his small crew on a hunt for ancient scraps of a sacred Sarco text. Several races have no respect for this ancient religious group, and indeed, the group is all but extinct. But the one scrap the Navy has in their collection has ink written in the same rare compound that composes the surface of Malum. On the chance that the two might be connected, Carter and his crew are sent to find the rest of the ancient document, if it even exists.
Why is this book included? Carter has to go to a planet to retrieve one of his crew from a home visit before they can head out on their assignment, and the culture of that crewmate lives in treetop settlements.

Target Readers:

  • Classic-Feeling Scifi Fans, Space Adventure Fans, Underdogs vs the Impossible Fans, Light Christian Symbolism Fans, Adult Fiction Readers


Everything You Need for a Treehouse by Carter Higgins, ill. by Emily Hughes
A celebration of treehouses, the various ways to build them, and the glorious things you can do in them.

Target Readers:

  • Would-be Treehouse Builders, Worldwide Perspective Fans, Lyrical Text Fans, Treehouse Lovers, Picture Book Readers


The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe (Matched, #4) by Ally Condie
Poe Blythe was changed the night Call died. They were supposed to just be on the dredge a few days and then run off together. But raiders got to the ship for the gold they were dredging up from the river before Call and Poe could run. And raiders shot Call. Now Poe lives for one thing, to keep raiders off the dredge and kill as many as possible in the process. She's come up with designs that have made her very popular with the Admiral, the leader of the Outpost. He has a new important mission for the dredge and he's making her go on the ship. And Poe makes sure if she has to go at least she'll be the captain. No one knows the ship better. No one wants to see the raiders fail more. But all is not as it seems on this trip, nor is all as it seems in the world as Poe knows it. Poe doesn't know if she and her crew will survive this trip, but one thing is for sure, none of them will ever be the same.
I have this listed as Matched #4 because it happens in the same world as the Matched trilogy and a character from that series does appear in this story.
Why is this book included? Poe comes across a settlement that lives in treetops at one point in the story.

Target Readers:

  • Western Fans, River Pirate Story Fans, Dystopia Fans, Matched Series Fans, Young Adult Fiction Readers


The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
The classic story of a family who is shipwrecked on a desert island and must survive on their own. One of the many shelters they build is a treehouse.

Target Readers:

  • Survival Story Fans, Classic Fans, Adult Fiction Readers (though there are many, many adaptations for younger readers and even the unabridged classic is still approachable for upper middle grade on up)


That Neighbor Kid by Daniel Miyares
A little boy starts building a treehouse, but seems to be having issues. A curious new neighbor comes to his aid and the two find a new friendship and more color in their lives through the experience.

Target Readers:

  • Friendship Story Fans, Mostly Wordless Story Fans, Treehouse Lovers, Art Lovers, Picture Book Readers



The 13-Story Treehouse (13-Story Treehouse, #1) by Andy Griffiths, ill. by Terry Denton
Andy and Terry are an author and illustrator who live in a giant treehouse and are late getting their latest manuscript to their publisher. They have just 24 hours to get something whipped up, but things like catnaries, sea monkeys that turn out to be sea monsters, and giant apes keep interrupting them. And they can't decide what their book should be about. Can they make their deadline?

Target Readers:

  • Graphic Novel Fans, Readers with Great Imaginations, Humor Fans, Reluctant Readers, Middle Grade Fiction Readers


Up in the Leaves: the True Story of the Central Park Treehouses by Shira Boss, ill. by Jamey Christoph
A boy longing for freedom and space in the midst of New York City, found solace in the branches of the trees of Central Park and built a number of treehouses. When the park workers took down one of his treehouses, he just built another. Until one day the park workers had another proposition for Bob.

Target Readers:

  • Picture Book Biography Fans, Unique Occupation Story Fans, Treehouse Lovers, Nonfiction Fans, New York City Setting Fans, Picture Book Readers


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