Trees can't tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories.

Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood "wishtree"—people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red's branches. Along with her crow friend Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red's hollows, this wishtree watches over the neighborhood.

You might say Red has seen it all. Until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red's experiences as a wishtree are more important than ever.

Pink Slips is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story unfolds from the perspective of Betsy Ryan, a pregnant suburban chef who is receiving threatening notes from an anonymous source. What should be a joyous time is overshadowed by fear and suspense as she recalls a decade-old traumatic event.

With her husband away, Betsy is left to protect her two young sons and her unborn child. Her only confidants are her parents, her best friend Misty, and her extraordinary dog Barney, who seems to understand her every word.

As the threatening notes continue, Betsy must muster all her courage to uncover the mystery of who is after her and why. Is it the same person who attacked her years ago at the train station? With each twist and turn, Betsy is forced to confront her deepest fears and find the strength within her to protect her family.

Gracie and her friend Daniel have always been warned to stay away from the Birdman and his side of the island. But then they find a message in the sand and discover the Birdman is not who they thought. They build up a lovely friendship with him, but when the children get stranded on Samson Island they don’t know whether to believe the Birdman’s story that the island is cursed.

Set against the backdrop of World War I, in the tradition of Friend or Foe and Private Peaceful, Michael Morpurgo brings the emotional reality of conflict to life in a way that is accessible to younger readers.