Review: View from the Cherry Tree
Rated by 4 members
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that all of the adults in this story
are depicted as insensitive, uncaring, and self-centered, the
child is no better, and this is never resolved. Also, the main
character, a young boy, sees a woman die by hanging.
Families who read this book could discuss the way the family treats Rob. Why aren't they more concerned about him? Why won't anyone listen to him? Why are they so obsessed with the wedding? Also, discussion of the flaws in the plot can sharpen critical reading skills.
Common Sense Media Review
The first thing your kids will notice is that this is an
exciting, suspenseful, edge-of-the-seat thriller with a climax
that will keep them glued to the pages. The first thing you
will notice is that this all sounds awfully familiar, starting
with Aesop. But no matter -- it's good fun.
After they finish, though, your kids may have a delayed, "Wait a minute ..." reaction, as they realize the plot makes little sense. If the murderer intended to kill Mrs. Calloway, why would he have pushed her out a first-floor window? He couldn't have counted on her binocular strap catching on a branch. If he didn't intend to kill her, what was he doing, and why is he now trying to kill Rob? And so very, very incompetently. No one realized Mrs. Calloway was killed (even Rob wasn't sure), but does he think no one will notice if Rob is shot or poisoned? Are we to just write it all off to gross stupidity? And so on.
But even the gaping plot holes can be an opportunity for you to help your kids be more critical readers. This book can help them learn to go beyond merely accepting what the author tells them.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
