The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree

Recipient of a Batchelder Honor

Ten-year-old Mafalda hides the fact that she is going blind from her family and friends in this lyrical, bittersweet debut novel from Italian author Paola Peretti that shows you how to overcome the darkness--even when you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.

There are a lot of things ten-year-old Mafalda cares a lot about. Like, counting the stars in the night sky, playing soccer, and climbing the cherry tree outside her school. Mafalda even goes so far as to keep a list of all these things, because soon she won't be able to do them anymore--because she's going blind.

Even with her bad eyesight Mafalda can see that people are already treating her differently--and that's the last thing she wants. So, she hides the fact that her vision is deteriorating faster than anyone predicted, and she makes a plan: When the time is right, she'll go live in the cherry tree, just like her favorite book character.

But as Mafalda loses her sight, surprising things come in to focus. With the help of her family and friends both old and new, Mafalda discovers the things that matter most.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published: 09/03/2019
ISBN: 9781534439627
Pages: 224
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.50w x 0.90d
Award: Mildred L. Batchelder Award - Honor Book

Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2019
Booklist 07/01/2019 pg. 69

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 504746 / Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree
Reading Level: 4.5 / Interest Level: Middle Grade / Point Value: 6