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The Communing Tree
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It is 1979 and sixteen-year-old Judith's survivalist father has never been so relaxed and cheerful since he returned from Vietnam with a debilitating case of PTSD. The eight years he and his family have spent hidden deep in the Kalmiopsis wilderness of Oregon have been good for him. Unfortunately none of them have any idea that disaster is about to strike. While camping aw
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Paperback, 220 pages
Published
July 27th 2018
by iUniverse
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So, I was out to coffee after church with some members of the choir, when one of the members/coffee drinkers was introduced as an author. And boy, do I love reading new books by local authors! So I bought one on the spot and commenced to read.
This book starts out with a literal bang, and keeps going. Reading about a survivalist family in the 1970s-1980s after the Vietnam War was quite interesting from a historical viewpoint, though sometimes quite grim. There were a lot of "Little House on the P ...more
This book starts out with a literal bang, and keeps going. Reading about a survivalist family in the 1970s-1980s after the Vietnam War was quite interesting from a historical viewpoint, though sometimes quite grim. There were a lot of "Little House on the P ...more

Wow, what a great story! This is a story of female empowerment and independence, loss and strength, overcoming and persevering, facing and overcoming fears. You will be rooting for the two main characters throughout this book. It also provides a terrific glimpse into the rare and beautiful southwestern forests of Oregon, which still have some remote terrain. If you have ever wondered what it would be like to escape from civilization or live on your own, you'll experience that way of life through
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I enjoyed this book all the way through, with caveats. It was especially relevant to those who remember or experienced life after Viet Nam, which I did. A negative for me was being written in first person. Also, the Prologue was so dramatic it made the vivid scene writing seem slow. I'd rate it PG-13, close to R, for elements typical of that era (marijuana, murder, and a singular f-bomb). But if you can handle that, I'd recommend it.
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The Communing Tree takes place in 1979 when survivalism was really picking up steam. I was a teenager growing up in Niagara, Oregon back then. I remember how my Dad had my brothers help him bury a great big metal container full of food in our woodshed. Vietnam was almost always the topic around our dinner table and two of my brother's draft numbers were close to being called. I'm still relieved that they didn't have to go.
This YA wilderness survival story is told by Judith, a young girl whose su ...more
This YA wilderness survival story is told by Judith, a young girl whose su ...more

A 2019 WILLA Literary Award Winner in Young Adult Fiction & Nonfiction, the title is an engaging read from the first page to the last. The characters are well-developed, and both adult and young adult readers will care about their desires and dilemmas. The stunning wilderness setting also displays a personality of its own, and Verboort’s descriptions of daily survival there lend authenticity to the story’s high level of suspense. . .https://www.theusreview.com/reviews/T...
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Beautifully written, engaging, surprising, never a dull moment.
The Communing tree started off with a shock and a hook that never let go. Hard to put down, but so fascinating and unusual, I savored it for three whole days. Also great for military vets, survivalists and anyone who loves the great outdoors.
The Communing tree started off with a shock and a hook that never let go. Hard to put down, but so fascinating and unusual, I savored it for three whole days. Also great for military vets, survivalists and anyone who loves the great outdoors.
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