The Dragon Tree

August 1, 2008
Gr 4-6-Mortimer Moon, Concord's new tree warden, and his wife Margery move next door to the Halls, and Mr. Moon starts chopping down the trees on his property and around town. That same day, a sapling sprouts between their properties. The tree grows at an exponential rate, and Mr. Moon sets his sights on leveling it to the ground. But Eddy and Georgie Hall take up the cause to protect it from their maniacal neighbor and his chainsaw, rallying their friends and standing guard day and night. Mr. Moon's second cousin three times removed, Emerald, the couple's "maid-of-all-work," is trapped in a miserable life and can only witness the events behind closed curtains. Then the Hall kids notice something unusual about the leaves, something that changes everything. Readers of the series will enjoy the trials of Eddy and Georgie Hall in this eighth book in the family's adventures. Mortimer Moon serves as a truly despicable but tortured villain. The story line is sometimes whimsical, sometimes laced with danger. The fast pace will hold the attention of young readers, and many children will appreciate the many literary references sprinkled throughout."Robyn Gioia, Bolles School, Ponte Vedra, FL"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2008
In this installmentof the Hall Family Chronicles, set in the neighborhood of Walden Pond, the Moonshave moved next door to the Halls. Mortimer Moon is the new tree warden, but instead of protecting trees, hesees disease everywhere andcuts them down. When a magical tree begins growing in the Halls yard, Mr. Moon readies his buzzsaw, but the children of the neighborhood protect it, even before it becomes apparent thatits the mystical Dragon Tree, upon whose leaves are written the stories of the world. The ending, which describes Mr. Moons murderous past, is over the top (and a little creepy), butseries fans will appreciatethe familarmix ofmagic and messages about conservation.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2008
In their eighth adventure, the Halls try to save a remarkable tree from their ruthless new neighbor. Langton explores the intersections of nature, culture, time, and timelessness, celebrating the magic and life that pulse through story. Though she lays it on a little thick with transcendental philosophy and passionate conservationism, the story's message aspect is ultimately absorbed by its wonder.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)