The Owl Tree facts for kids

The Owl Tree is a short novel, also called a novella, written by Jenny Nimmo and published in 1997. The story is about a boy named Joe. He tries to save a special owl tree. His grandmother, Granny Diamond, loves this tree very much. However, her neighbor, Mr. Rock, wants to cut it down. He thinks it is too tall and blocks the sunlight in his garden. The book won the 1997 Smarties Book Prize Gold Award, which is a big award for children's books!

Story of The Owl Tree

The story begins when Joe and his sister, Minna, go to stay with their grandmother, Granny Diamond. Their mum is in the hospital, so Granny Diamond takes care of them.

A Special Tree for Granny

After Joe arrives, Granny Diamond shows him his room. She tells him about a big tree outside. It grows in her neighbor Mr. Rock's yard. Granny Diamond calls it "the owl tree." She explains that one night, she saw an owl sitting on a branch. Seeing the owl made her feel much happier because she had been sad that day. Because of this, the tree became very special to her. She also believes that half of the tree belongs to her because some of its branches reach into her garden.

Saving the Tree

One day, Granny Diamond tells Joe some sad news. Mr. Rock plans to cut down the owl tree! Granny Diamond is very upset about this. Joe decides he must find a way to save the tree. He gets help from Minna and their friends, the Ludd twins. Joe also starts to feel like the tree is trying to tell him something important. He worries a lot about how sad Granny Diamond will be if the tree is cut down.

Joe tries to visit Mr. Rock's house to talk to him, but he gets scared and goes back home. One night, Joe becomes very curious. He climbs the tree using a branch close to his bedroom window. But then he slips and falls into Mr. Rock's garden! Mr. Rock brings Joe back to Granny Diamond's house. This leads to a long argument between Mr. Rock, Joe, and Granny about the tree. Even after the talk, Mr. Rock still wants to cut it down.

A Change of Heart

Later, Joe bravely goes to Mr. Rock's house by himself. He talks to Mr. Rock face-to-face. While they are talking, Mr. Rock notices something. Joe reminds him of his own grandson, Tom. Suddenly, Mr. Rock remembers that Tom also used to talk about an owl in that very tree! Mr. Rock gets emotional, but he still doesn't change his mind about the tree. Joe knows Mr. Rock is very stubborn, so he goes home.

Finally, on Bonfire Night, Joe sees Granny Diamond and Mr. Rock talking near the hedge. Granny happily comes over to Joe and tells him the good news: the tree will not be cut down! The story ends with beautiful fireworks lighting up the sky.

Main Characters

• Joe: He is the main character of the story. Joe is a caring boy who tries his best to save the owl tree for his grandmother.
• Minna: Joe's sister. She helps Joe in his efforts to save the tree.
• Granny Diamond: Joe and Minna's grandmother. She loves the owl tree because it brought her comfort when she was sad.
• Mr. Rock: Granny Diamond's neighbor. He wants to cut down the tree because it blocks sunlight.
• The Ludd twins: Friends of Joe and Minna who also help with the plan to save the tree.