Lemony Snicket meets Charlotte's Web in this spellbinding story about a quiet, brown-haired orphan named Margaret trapped in a dreadful orphanage run by the sinister, beautiful Miss Switch. After an unsuccessful attempt to alert authorities to Miss Switch's tyranny, Margaret is forced to endure a life of complete silence. But the new state of affairs proves to be more blessing than curse. You see, Margaret can hear things other people cannot. And on one incredible day, Margaret hears tiny voices coming from a strange, thorny tree and discovers a community of playful moths. Together Margaret and the moths prepare a plan to end Miss Switch's reign of terror and provide a better life for everyone.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"A charming story of magical realism. Well-sketched characters and short chapters that often end on ambiguous notes will engage readers. While period and setting are left vague, the narrator's elegant asides and wry commentary imbue the novel with an old-fashioned air reminiscent of Lemony Snicket's 'A Series of Unfortunate Events.' The Trogens breathe new life into the old trope of the plucky orphan in dire straits." --School Library Journal
About the Author
Kari Trogen studied English literature in Edmonton and England, obtaining her MA in Creative Writing from the University of New Brunswick. She lives in Toronto with her husband, a filmmaker, and works as a freelance writer. Her first children's novel, Margaret and the Moth Tree, was coauthored with her sister Brit.
Brit Trogen received her BSc in biology from the University of Alberta. With interests in science and science fiction, her work has appeared in publications including On Spec Magazine and Discover Magazine. She currently lives in New York City. Her first children's novel, Margaret and the Moth Tree, was coauthored with her sister Kari.
Brit Trogen received her BSc in biology from the University of Alberta. With interests in science and science fiction, her work has appeared in publications including On Spec Magazine and Discover Magazine. She currently lives in New York City. Her first children's novel, Margaret and the Moth Tree, was coauthored with her sister Kari.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Emily Anne
Format:Hardcover
This is a beautiful book, full of suspense and adventure and danger on every page, but also moments of mystifying quiet. It's a story in which the fate of everything rests on the wings of moths. Original, captivating, revolving around a struggle against absolute cruelty in a place that feels at once incredibly real and familiar, and also fantastical, with a narrator whose voice at times carries the same humorous and delightful qualities of J.M. Barrie. Even the villain, The Switch as they call her, has moments of sympathy and understanding. I hope this will be the first chapter book that my son or daughter reads. It is told with a sincerity and simplicity and attention to language that sometimes I find is lacking in other children's novels. It does not talk down to its readers even though many chapters begin with a straightforward lesson on vocabulary; this story was written with a definite respect for the intuitive knowledge of its young audience. I read it in one sitting, gripped by the turns in plot. It's the most original orphan story I have read since Anne of Green Gables.
By LadyInRead
Format:Hardcover
This book is one of the best I have read in the recent past. Brilliantly written with well described characters, this book is humorous, wonderfully touching, magical, and with a touch of whimsy as well as a dark edge to it. Margaret is a little girl full of pluck, with wisdom beyond her age, and yet remains a little girl who can appreciate the wonders of even the simple moth. How her life's circumstances shape her character and her special "listening" power help teach kids how life's circumstances shape each and every one of us. Margaret's story of triumph with the help of her little friends and each and every page in this book teaches and delights.
The book is short but packs a lot in it and is a definite must-read not just for girls or for kids but for everyone.
Reread factor: 5/5
Rating: A+
Disclaimer:Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a digital review copy of all this book. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this books were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal opinions formed when I read the book.
The book is short but packs a lot in it and is a definite must-read not just for girls or for kids but for everyone.
Reread factor: 5/5
Rating: A+
Disclaimer:Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a digital review copy of all this book. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this books were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal opinions formed when I read the book.
Format:Hardcover
Margaret and the Moth Tree by Kari Trogen and Brit Trogen
Kari and Brit Trogen created a story for children that is pregnant with life lessons. In my opinion every child should be exposed to Margaret and the Moth Tree before the age of 10 as a fantastic read-aloud book. In Margaret and the Moth Tree these two talented authors paint a crystal clear picture of the world through the eyes, the emotions of a little girl named Margaret Grey.
Margaret and the Moth Tree will engage every reader or listener perhaps giving them a sense of gratefulness for the things they have. Margaret's life from being a toddler to third grade was traumatic. It is a page turner and I could not put this book down. Margaret and the Moth Tree touches the heart and lends itself to many discussions of pain, sorrow, happiness, evil and loving people and the important influence these issues shaped Margaret and shape all humans.
Margaret Grey's life starts out not being wanted but tolerated by adults in her family however as she grows Margaret develops into a imaginative, sensitive, intelligent girl. I appreciate the collaborative effort making Margaret a strong girl with the tenacity of a warrior.
Thank you, Kari and Brit Trogen for cultivating Margaret's complex life and putting it on the printed page for all readers or listeners to enjoy, bond with and adore. There aren't enough adjectives for me to clearly convey how this story changed my outlook on life's bumps in the road. Margaret and the Moth Tree speaks to the development of one's character regardless of age, heritage and location.
Excellent book!!
Kari and Brit Trogen created a story for children that is pregnant with life lessons. In my opinion every child should be exposed to Margaret and the Moth Tree before the age of 10 as a fantastic read-aloud book. In Margaret and the Moth Tree these two talented authors paint a crystal clear picture of the world through the eyes, the emotions of a little girl named Margaret Grey.
Margaret and the Moth Tree will engage every reader or listener perhaps giving them a sense of gratefulness for the things they have. Margaret's life from being a toddler to third grade was traumatic. It is a page turner and I could not put this book down. Margaret and the Moth Tree touches the heart and lends itself to many discussions of pain, sorrow, happiness, evil and loving people and the important influence these issues shaped Margaret and shape all humans.
Margaret Grey's life starts out not being wanted but tolerated by adults in her family however as she grows Margaret develops into a imaginative, sensitive, intelligent girl. I appreciate the collaborative effort making Margaret a strong girl with the tenacity of a warrior.
Thank you, Kari and Brit Trogen for cultivating Margaret's complex life and putting it on the printed page for all readers or listeners to enjoy, bond with and adore. There aren't enough adjectives for me to clearly convey how this story changed my outlook on life's bumps in the road. Margaret and the Moth Tree speaks to the development of one's character regardless of age, heritage and location.
Excellent book!!
