Tree Girl by Ben Mikaelsen

Tree Girl by Ben Mikaelsen is based on a true story, told to the author by the actual Tree Girl in Guatemala. Gabriela has become known by the other villagers in her Mayan canton as the Tree Girl because of her love of climbing to the tops of the highest trees. She can climb higher and faster than anyone else in the canton! Gabi's life with her large family was going well... she was the only one able to attend school, she was preparing for her quinceanera (a big celebration on her 15th birthday), and the war that was raging on other parts of the country between the soldiers and guerrillas had not yet touched their little village. All that changed during her birthday celebration. Soldiers arrived and took her older brother, Jorge. Her mother became sick and eventually died, leaving sadness and extra responsibilities for Gabi. But worse, soldiers destroyed their canton while Gabi was far away at market and killed nearly everyone. Gabi was able to find her youngest sister, Alicia and her brother Antonio (who died almost immediately). She and Alicia began the long journey to Mexico, hoping to find refuge. Along the way, Gabi and Alicia witnessed unspeakable violence and eventually became separated. All Gabi wanted to do was find Alicia, her only remaining family member and responsibility. She struggled to make it to Mexico alone, foraging for food, finding shelter where she could, and feeling as though she let everyone down because she was unable to protect the ones she loved the most. She felt she was a coward for hiding in a tree while an entire village was massacred in front of her... so Gabi promised herself she would never climb a tree again. Thankfully, things began looking up for Gabi when she arrived in a Mexican refugee camp, found some people she could trust, and was even reunited with Alicia!

This was a very heart-wrenching book. It's hard to believe this sort of thing happens in our world today! I found myself becoming immersed in Gabi's story, really feeling for her and all she's been through. It makes me sad to know it was based on a true story. What a brave girl Gabi is. Because of the violence and acts of war, I would recommend it for more mature readers.

Follow this link for a preview of the first 75 pages of Tree Girl by Ben Mikaelsen