The main character is interesting and does not make stupid decisions. This is a thing I like.

While the plot may not exactly keep older readers guessing, I think it reaches its intended audience, as this is the sort of book that I would have loved if I had first happened upon it when I was thirteen. ( )

Tree Taylor grows up the summer of 1963, in this historical fiction novel.

Tree wants to be a writer; so, when a gunshot goes off one morning and her dad rushes out to the Kinney house, Tree follows hoping for a scoop. If you can write a great story, she may make it onto the school newspaper when school starts. As she investigates, Tree learns that secrets are everywhere, and the responsibility of keeping or revealing secrets can be difficult.

The 1960s were a turbulent time in America’s history. Tree’s innocence will be shaken just as America’s innocence changed in this decade. Vietnam is starting up, a new sheriff is in town, people are pairing up except Tree, and Tree has to know what happened at the Kinney house. Her father has taught her to be a thinker--to think for herself and work out truth. Her father is to remind the reader of Atticus Finch. He’s the moral compass for the town and the one who knows all the secrets as he helps as many as he can as the doctor in town. He will allow Tree the freedom to find what she must. Tree’s mother gossips on the phone and is close to Tree’s sister, Eileen. Eileen and her mom enjoy shopping, but they are also smart. Eileen is studying for school and Tree’s mother is a nurse. Jack and Sarah are Tree’s best friends. Sarah is a farm girl, but they see each other because they work together at the pool. Jack’s family comes over every Sunday to play music. Jack and Tree dance to the music and have a special bond.

I really enjoyed this novel. It lightly touches on the arguments concerning Vietnam and then hits you with an anvil at the end for the reality of this conflict. Tree is going into high school, and I like her. She’s gutsy, smart, and knows what she wants. At first, I found her naive concerning the Kinneys; it seemed to go against her smart character, making her seem younger. She knows; she just doesn’t accept it until she has to. If you liked Countdown or Revolution, you’ll like this novel. ( )

Tree Taylor is sitting on the front step one Sunday morning in her PJ's, trying to come up with something to write about, when she hears a gunshot down the street. Her dad, the town doctor, hustles past her and tells her to stay put as he heads to where the shot was fired. Tree follows and from her hiding place, watches as their reclusive neighbor. Mrs. Kinney comes out of the house carrying a rifle. Her dad's behavior is curious. He turns away from Mrs. Kinney and sits on the step. When she lowers the rifle, he takes it. He tells the sheriff that the shooting of Mr. Kinney in the shoulder, was accidentally self-inflicted.
Tree knows something doesn't add up, but her father won't tell her what really happened and she needs the details in order to write an article that will get her the lone freshman spot on the high school newspaper. What follows the events on this Sunday in 1963, is a wonderfully sad coming of age story. Tree begins the summer with two goals: Get on the newspaper staff and experience her first real kiss, preferably with Ray who has amazing blue eyes.
Tree faces plenty of obstacles that summer. Her best friend, Sara, has terrible news for her, her poem gets published on the front page of the town newspaper, she learns, first hand, not once, but twice, how the Vietnam War can tear families and communities apart, she learns that sometimes you have to speak out, even if it means you might lose a friend, she achieves her goals, but in unexpected ways and she learns that no matter how close families are, there will always be secrets.
Dandi has written a stellar book that younger teens will really love. There's so much, done so well, it's difficult to know where to start in praising it. ( )