Sherryl Clark, The Only Branch on the Family Tree, University of Queensland Press, April 2025, 112 pp., RRP $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780702268915
Another verse novel for middle grade readers is a welcome addition to the small but growing genre. Verse novels are easy to read, but have the potential to address key concerns of young readers. Sherryl Clark in The Only Branch on the Family Tree, explores family. A DNA adventure into the generations before her. Gemma’s mother tells her that her nan passed away. While researching a class project about family, Gemma discovers her nana is not dead. Her mother lied to her. Gemma feels compelled to navigate the secret. As Gemma fossicks through photographs she uncovers a photo with an older woman, her mother and Gemma. She knows that it is her nan. Gemma goes in search of her. There is so much in her mind. She worries about all the events Nan has missed. She worries about her mum’s lie. She worries it has been a secret and nana lives close.
Gemma discovers that nan’s home, is only a bus ride away. The meeting of nan and Gemma is emotional. Gemma wants to know why her mother told her that nana died. Nan explains it was because of arguments between nan and her mum. Gemma navigates the emotional hurt of finding nan. Confronting her mum and the eventual reconciliation. Gemma, her mum and nan, cannot replace the eleven years of estrangement, but they can be happy now. Every day they can be happy.
A lovely story of family and leaving past disputes behind to forge positive relationships.
For ages 10 +
Reviewed by Susanne Gervay
