Toby and the Secrets of the Tree

by Timothée de Fombelle, Francois Place (Illustrator), Sarah Ardizzone (Translator)

Overview

A breathless, high-stakes quest to save the miniature world of the Tree --and reunite loved ones lost --unfolds with wit, suspense, and startling revelations. (Ages 9 and up)

Toby’s world is under greater threat than ever before. A giant crater has been dug right into the center of the Tree, moss and lichen have invaded the branches, and one tyrant controls it all. Leo Blue, once Toby’s best friend, is holding Toby’s beloved Elisha prisoner, hunting the Grass People with merciless force, and inflicting a life of poverty and fear on the Tree People. But after several years among the Grass People, Toby has returned to fight back. And this time he’s not alone: a resistance is forming. In the much-anticipated sequel to the award-winning TOBY ALONE, the compelling eco-adventure reaches its gripping conclusion.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763651961
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	08/10/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Lexile:	710L (what's this?)
File size:	9 MB
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Timothée de Fombelle is a much-admired French playwright. His first novel, Toby Alone, has been translated in twenty-two languages and has won numerous prizes.

Sarah Ardizzone is an award-winning translator. She lives in London.

François Place has illustrated many books and is also a renowned author in his native France.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 5–8—After the cliff-hanger ending of Toby Alone (Candlewick, 2009), the miniature protagonist returns to try to locate his kidnapped parents and prevent the destruction of the Tree that houses settlements of tiny humans. His childhood friend Leo Blue has become a power broker and rules from the Nest on high, while Joe Mitch maintains control of the Low Branches, capturing and enslaving Grass people to dig out the Crater and increase his fortune. Between Leo's blind quest for supremacy and Joe Mitch's exploitation of its resources, the Tree is rapidly declining. Toby must navigate carefully to avoid the dangers they present. Moreover, Leo is determined to win Elisha Lee, and, when he realizes that Toby holds her heart, his intent to destroy his former friend becomes murderous. De Fombelle sprinkles social commentary liberally throughout the plot's twists and turns, and, while it will go over the heads of some readers, others will appreciate the pulls between big business and the environment and the distrust between the Grass and Tree people. Place's pen-and-ink illustrations are scattered generously throughout and enhance the overall quirkiness. Though the forvolume can stand alone, youngsters unfamiliar with the first installment may find it difficult to keep track of the large cast of characters and where their loyalties lie. This interesting piece of eco-fantasy provides a satisfying conclusion for those who enjoyed the first book.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

School Library Journal

The environmental and political woes of the world are microscopically enacted within a single tree. Peter Berkrot’s narration clearly distinguishes a vast array of creatures—the grass people, woodcutters, brutal hunters, imprisoned scientists, and more. He excels at villains—both comic and malevolent, such as the major who is “as light as a grain of pollen but the weight of his stupidity should have snapped the branch he was sitting on.” Toby Lolness, the hero from TOBY ALONE, has a lot on his shoulders; he must rescue his imprisoned parents and his beloved Elisha AND save the grass people from the vindictive Leo Blue and the tree from Joe Mitch’s profit-mongering crater digging. In this sequel details of characters and plot are slowly revealed, requiring careful listening. D.P.D. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

FEBRUARY 2011 - AudioFile

A Lilliputian world yields sharp political satire in this adventure fable, sequel to Toby Alone(2009). Three years after Toby's daring escape, life has grown even harder for those left on the Tree. "Friendly Neighbor" Joe Mitch has tightened his tyrannical grip while furthering his ecological devastation. Meanwhile, Leo Blue's merciless campaign against the Grass People is only tempered by his obsession with Toby's beloved Elisha. The Tree is withering, discontent is everywhere and the slightest catalyst could spark an uprising; then a rumor crops up that Toby Lolness is back. While retaining all the cleverness, wit and suspense, this follow-up suffers from an excess of character and plot. A multitude of unique viewpoints, each with a separate narrative arc, shift from comedy to drama to intrigue to adventure at the expense of a unified story line or theme. Once all these people and threads intersect, the sheer quantity of coincidence and contrivance to tie them off neatly strains credulity to the breaking point. Nonetheless, the knit never quite ravels, displaying a brilliance and depth nothing short of dazzling. A mess, but a spectacular one. (Fantasy. 10 & up)

Kirkus Reviews