As an adult fantasy reader, it's rare for me to pick up a middle grade but a horror middle grade about big foot grabbed my attention. I'm SO glad I took a chance because I loved this one. We have a young girl and her scout troop who venture in the dark and scary woods to try and find their missing friend which possibly means running into the big man himself, big foot. Though maybe on the simpler side, it was super fun. I love this cover and I hope it finds its audience so add it to your tbr.

Jenna was so excited to go on a wilderness hike with her best friend Reese and the Cottontail Scouts in the Sturbridge Reservation. She’s always been at home in the wilderness as the granddaughter of the first black Ranger in the area. But this hike becomes a nightmare when her friend is kidnapped by a creature who can only be Bigfoot, and no one believes her. Weeks later, she’s back with a different troop, determined to help get Reese home, and she soon finds out that the creature has been waiting for her return. Can Jenna band together with her newfound comrades, as the creature seeks new prey?

It Came from the Trees is a genuinely frightening tale of survival. The young protagonists are facing existential danger from the violent creature who lurks in the woods. Bigfoot is not a friendly entity in this story, instead exuding a visceral menace that taints the atmosphere of the woods. Jenna’s suffering is portrayed sensitively, yet authentically, through debut author Ally Russells' effective writing. The sense of grief and guilt that Jenna feels adds an emotional weight to the story as she’s determined to keep believing her friend is alive and to bring her home. Jenna’s decision to withdraw from others emotionally due to her unresolved issues from her friend’s disappearance is challenged as she meets a group of young scouts who are kind and decent, and who start to become important to her. Readers will feel like they are in the forest, walking in Jenna and the other troops’ shoes. The sense of danger and foreboding is tangible, and the atmosphere stays tense throughout. The story also touches on systemic racism in which the disappearance of brown and black children is not treated with the same urgency as white children and the bigotry exhibited towards Jenna and Reese as black children by the previous, predominantly white scout group. Jenna’s assertions that her friend was stolen are dismissed, and her character and that of her friend is called into question because of her race. This hits the reader as a double blow, along with the very real jeopardy faced by both girls, as a result. It Came from the Trees is a phenomenal debut novel that offers legitimate horror as well as emotional tension from beginning to end. Ally Russell has brought a higher level of terror and relevance to the Bigfoot legend for a postmillennial audience.

4.5 stars

It Came from the Trees by Ally Russell presents a compelling mix of wilderness adventure and supernatural mystery. The protagonist, Jenna, is a standout character with her deep connection to the wilderness and her unwavering determination to find her missing friend, Reese. Her backstory, with a grandfather who was the first Black park ranger at Sturbridge Reservation, adds depth and richness to her character. However, the plot occasionally feels disjointed, with the adults in her life, including her parents and the police, appearing frustratingly ineffective, which can be a bit exasperating for readers.

The middle section of the book picks up the pace as Jenna joins a local scout troop and heads back into the woods, where the suspense heightens. The discovery of large human-like footprints and strange sounds in the forest builds a palpable sense of dread. Yet, the interactions within the scout troop sometimes feel underdeveloped. The bond between Jenna and her new friend Norrie, while promising, lacks the emotional depth that could have made their relationship more impactful.

The climax, where the scouts face the creature, offers a mix of action and tension. The use of their survival skills, combined with everyday items like toiletries, adds a creative twist. However, the resolution feels a bit rushed and leaves some questions unanswered. While the book has moments of genuine suspense and a strong lead character, it doesn't fully realize its potential, making it an enjoyable but somewhat uneven read.

I am super excited to read It Came From The Trees! I will be writing a review for the TBR instragram book tours on August 4th. I will update my review then!

IT CAME FROM THE TREES was a fantastic middle grade horror novel that was every bit as terrifying as its cover!!! I love camping, the woods, friendship stories, and cryptids, so this was right up my alley. I can't wait to read more from Ally Russell!

It Came from the Trees is a terrifying read from start to finish, easily one of the scariest novels for children I've ever read. About a scout trooper searching for her best friend who was abducted by a cryptid-like Bigfoot monster, the book starts strong and continues developing its tension and dread until the last couple of chapters.

Russell's understanding of tension and terror is strong enough to sell the book, but the novel is more than just spooky. It develops a great sense of found family dynamics, centering on the communicability of experience and the importance of being heard and validated. In most children's literature, I look for the developmental threads that speak directly to kids and their experiences; that's often the hallmark for what makes a middle grade book good in my experience. Russell seems to understand the importance of finding that message, but she does so without ever condescending to her reader or making the book into a coded lecture.

Yet there are still excellent messages coded into the book. It explores the frustration of being a kid and seeing figures of authority dismiss your experience on account of your age and your ability to account for it. It explores the way black and brown kids are so commonly marginalized by those with authority. And it explores how important finding your community is, of pursuing your interests, and how sometimes the key to moving through trauma is to confront your fear.

It Came from the Trees is perfect summer reading, made for flashlights and s'mores, but also cognizant of treating its audience seriously and delivering on both the scares and deeper meaning.

Disclosure Statement: I received an advanced copy of the novel from the publisher in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions in this review are entirely my own and have not been influenced by either the publisher or the author in any way.

It Came from the Trees, Ally Russell’s debut, is a new middle grade paranormal horror novel set in the great outdoors. With a Black main character who loves camping and the wilderness, and a mystery surrounding strange occurrences (and disappearances) at Sturbridge Reservation, there was so much to like about It Came from the Trees.

Norrie, like Reese, was a character who could worm her way into anyone’s heart. And, in fact, the Owlet Scouts were a far more personable and colorful group to follow. And then there was Jenna, who was a great main character, and I liked her enthusiasm and knowledge about the outdoors. This was shaken, of course, with the disappearance of her best friend as well as the situation she subsequently found herself in, where she felt silenced and isolated. It was part of her character arc, where the author showed her bravery and determination but also didn’t shy away from her vulnerability and fear. Her POV was nerve-wracking to read, and I’d credit that how immersive and atmospheric the writing was.

Another area of note was how Russell utilized camping. The woods were the perfect location for the story, especially after the sun was down and visibility was low. There was no quick way to run from any issues.

The story also touched on a negligent troop leader who played favoritism and was willing to lie, if it meant covering her own culpability when one the scouts in her care went missing. It was a difficult (and frustrating) situation that felt all too familiar, but the author did a great job with it, creating a balance between real world issues and a story which was, at its heart, paranormal.

Going into It Came from the Trees, I was expecting Russell’s spin on Bigfoot. It’s one of the main hooks of the synopsis. However, even knowing that much didn’t erase how tightly the legend was woven into the story. The way it was written was enigmatic and incredibly menacing. It wasn’t an isolated occurrence only Jenna knew about either, but there were clues sprinkled throughout the book about how deeply the strange occurrences were connected to Sturbridge Reservation—even in the form of blog entries and comments. And while I was reading It Came from the Trees, I kept remarking to one of my co-bloggers about how much tension there was as well as the intensity of its most frightening scenes.

At the end of the day, It Came from the Trees was excellent, and it has plenty to offer for fans of middle grade horror.

Disclaimer: this copy of the book was provided by the publisher (Delacorte) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

Wow. I need to shake off the shivers after that one. Fantastic!

I was so rapt with this book that I couldn't put it down. It is brimming with mystery and filled with tension. The plot is legitimately scary. It left my skin crawling (which thrills me, because that seldom happens).

Creepy, readable awesomeness.

Oh, and just as a side note, this is Ally Russell's debut novel. If this is her first, I can't wait to see what's next.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. You will hear Ally and I talk about the book on my show We Bleed Orange & Black, the podcast for Halloween and Horror lovers. Our interview will appear on episode #89.

A young girl and her scout troop venture into the woods to try and find their missing friend... and that might mean facing off against big-foot! Jenna is great with surviving in nature and when she encounters a strange creature that looks like the one who took her best friend Reese, Jenna is determined to find it and get her best friend back. Jenna joins the local scout troop and wanders into the woods with them in hopes of finding Reese... but the deeper they venture into the woods the more Jenna begins to questio whether or not she can get Reese back. This was a really fun and cute middle-grade read that mixes in the legend of Big foot and fun survival tips and more. It's a cute read overall and I definitely think middle grade readers will have fun with it. While I did wish there was a bit more to the plot and the overall story, it was an interesting read in the end.

Release Date: July 30, 2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's | Delacorte Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Wow, this really impressed me! I was thoroughly creeped out and came to love these characters so easily. I will absolutely read more from Ally Russell and highly recommend you all grab this one for your kids (or for yourself.)

This book was an arrow to my cryptid loving soul and Jenna was just such a good protagonist. I loved the mixed media throughout the novel and I think Ally Russell did a great job with creating characters that felt real.

An invigorating middle grade horror novel, this was well paced and intriguing. The thrill was so good that I couldn't stop myself from scrolling to the next page and read what happened next. The characters here were so potential and alive, and oftentimes their interaction made me emotional.

Love the mixed-media vibes this book tried to portray. The insertion of the newspaper articles and the websites were really very cool. This is a must read for anyone who wants to read an outdoor horror novel.

What a great story! As a kid, I was fascinated by the idea of Bigfoot, and Russell's vivid writing brings the creature to life in terrifying detail. Jenna is a strong main character, a completely believable tween who loves her best friend and is determined to save her, despite what the skeptical adults say. Her relationships with her grandfather and mom, and her interactions with friends new and old ring true as does (sadly) the microagressions she faces from her first troupe leader. The ending is exciting, horrifying, and satisfying all at once. I highly recommend IT CAME FROM THE TREES.

This was a fun and creepy middle grade novel. The main character had a strong presence! I loved the friendships that were presented through the story. There were definitely some creepy parts which will work great for kids who like scary campfire stories! There were some parts where the pacing was a little slower, especially for someone who isn’t super outdoorsy, however I think this will go over really well for kids who love camping and cryptids!

For a middle-grade novel shorter than 300 pages, It Came from the Trees was surprisingly thrilling and made me more than a little reluctant to read it alone at night near an open window with the woods looming nearby. This novel opens with two middle school girls, Jenna and Reese, out on a camping camp when Reese is suddenly snatched from their shared tent by a large creature. After Reese’s abduction, Jenna is frustrated no one seems to believe the fabled “Beast of Backcountry” (aka Bigfoot) is responsible for taking her friend and decides to take matters into her own hands. She convinces her mom to let her join the Owlet Scouts who are hiking in a similar area, with the intention of leaving clues, snacks, and supplies for Reese, who she believes may still be alive. However, as the sun sets on her first day in the woods Jenna discovers the creature may now be tracking her…

Where were these kinds of books when I was 12? I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of spooky middle-grade novels released over the last five years or so, and I am so here for it. Jenna is a very strong-headed main character who is very loyal to her friends, evidenced by her willingness to look for Reese in the very same woods where she encountered the unknown creature. I would love to read more books featuring her, maybe coming face-to-face with other cryptids on her adventures. Despite being such a short book, she undergoes a fairly significant amount of character development as she wrestles with the loss of her friend and the blame she feels for not doing more to help. Additionally, the descriptions of the noises and scents detected by Jenna inside the fragile walls of a tent were truly terrifying as the creature returned to stalk her. The coyote scene reminded me of something found in an adult horror novel, it was that startling.

There is no better setting to curl up with this book than in a flimsy tent in the woods, while listening to the wildlife and other sounds of nature. Did that sound like someone stepped on a stick outside or am I imagining things?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It Came From the Trees is a book that perfectly encapsulates the childhood horror of impossible monsters. Against the odds, and the adults, Jenna must save her best friend from a monster no one believes is real. She has to learn to face her fears and accept help where it is offered. She must make the adults believe. And most importantly she has to find Bigfoot.

It’s an exciting horror, the story interspersed with newspaper clippings, blog stories, and Owlet Survival Handbook entries that all add a level of immersion to an already great tale.

An adventurous tale of Jenna, one of the most eager scouts I've ever read about, attempting to solve the mystery of just what sort of monster took her friend Emma, this is the type of novel I'd share with kids who ask for something spooky, but not horrific. Dealing with big emotions like grief, loss, and the feeling of the world fighting back when you just want to tell the truth, it's more than just a story that takes place in the woods.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @Penguinrandomhouse for the ARC. The cover of this book caught my I and I had to read it. I was not disappointed. Ally Russell did a great job catching my attention with this spooky mystery that mad me want to stay out of the woods and never go camping again. I loved the news articles that were spread out in the book, it added another layer to the mystery. This is a must have for all school libraries.

The legend of Bigfoot gets a bone-chilling update in this scary story about a young girl and her scout troop who are willing to brave the woods to find her missing friend when no one else will. Perfect for fans of Daka Hermon and Claribel A. Ortega!

This was such a fun book! I love a good camping adventure and this was very well done.