Bookverdict.com

Gr 5–7—There's a tree in the woods near a quiet suburban Baltimore town; a tree with roots deep enough to house a ghost that feeds on secrets. And this town has enough secrets to keep the tree humming, and it plays a part in a fast-paced plot with intriguing characters. It's the summer before Minty Mortimer and her friend Paz Calderon start middle school. Until recently, the girls only wanted to be roller-derby skaters named M...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Araminta (nicknamed "Minty," a.k.a. "Minty Fresh," her future roller-derby name) meets Raymond, a mysterious boy, in the woods. The...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Minty is likeable, and kids will relate to her struggles with maturing at a different rate than a close childhood friend, trying to get along with a teenage older sister, and avoiding the “Mean Boys” and “Witch Lady” in the neighborhood. The characters who inhabit Minty’s suburban neighborhood are fully realized. What’s most important to each person is clear and the intercon...Log In or Sign Up to Read More