The House That Wasn't There

"In this luminous story full of mystery and magic, Elana K. Arnold weaves a shimmering tapestry about the lovely and surprising ways were connected to each other. Heart-healing, hopeful, and wonderfully inventive, this beautiful novel by a master storyteller is not to be missed." Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal-winning author of The One and Only Ivan Alder has always lived in his cozy little house in Southern California. And for as long as he can remember, the old, reliable, comforting walnut tree has stood between his house and the one next door. That is, until a new familywith a particularly annoying girl his agemoves into the neighboring house and, without warning, cuts it down. Oak doesnt understand why her family had to move to Southern California. She has to attend a new school, find new friends, and live in a new house that isnt even readyher mother had to cut down a tree on their property line in order to make room for a second floor. And now a strange boy next door wont stop staring at her, like she did something wrong moving here in the first place. As Oak and Alder start school together, they cant imagine ever becoming friends. But the two of them soon discover a series of connections between themmysterious, possibly even magical puzzles they cant put together. At least not without each others help. Award-winning author Elana K. Arnold returns with an unforgettable story of the strange, wondrous threads that run between all of us, whether we know theyre there or not.