February 2025

Reading Level: Grade 2-3 • Interest Level: Grade 5-8

The Midas Trees

Available: February 2025
Author: D. J. Brandon
Specs: 5 1/4” X 7 1/8” • 160 pp. • Excerpts from other Books within this Series, Written in Verse, About the Author Section, Hi-Lo Content
HC ed.: 9781978597778 • $25.80 | $19.40
eBook: 9781978597792 • $25.80 | $19.40
Pbk. ed.: 9781978597785 • $16.35 | $14.20
Pearl has lived a secluded life with her father for as long as she can remember. Other than attending Badger Middle School, Pearl has very limited contact with the outside world. Her dad keeps her close by his side. Pearl is not allowed to attend sleepovers or parties and Dad has always taught her to be distrustful of adults. So when Dad doesn’t come home one day and Pearl is left alone, she must decide: keep her life a secret and try to go it on her own? Or violate the “rule” and trust another adult to help? The school counselor, Ms. Sanchez, seems kind enough, but Pearl is still afraid. As circumstances at home force her hand, Pearl takes the leap. Together, child and counselor begin to peel back the layers of Pearl’s past. Little do they know that it is Pearl herself who holds the greatest clue of all, buried in the depths of a recurring dream. A dream about a golden tree . . . and the story of King Midas.

View Spread

Author Picture
About the Author:
D.J. Brandon is a children’s book author (and former nurse), currently writing elementary and middle grade fiction. Following the release of Tell Me Why the Jack Pine Grows (West 44 Books, 2024), Brandon’s The Midas Trees is her second middle grade novel-in-verse. Other books by Brandon include the Graveyard Gruber chapter books, also from West 44. Having grown up in a large family, and now as the mother of adult children and a grandmother of five, Brandon’s writing has plenty of inspiration. With years of experience working in educational settings, Brandon enjoys sharing her stories, her craft, and her journey with her readers and aspiring young writers. You can visit Brandon at her website: www.djbrandonauthor.com.