The Only Branch on the Family Tree

by Sherryl Clark

It’s always been Gemma and her mum – just the two of them. As close as best friends. But while researching a class project about family, Gemma makes a life-changing discovery. Her nan is not dead, like Mum told her, but alive and well and living close by.

Gemma now has huge question marks hanging over her. Why would Mum lie about this? What is her nan like? And what would happen if Gemma tried to find her?

The Only Branch on the Family Tree is a story about secrets, forgiveness and finding a way for relationships to blossom.

112 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2025

About the author

Some of my first short stories were crime fiction, and although in the last 20 years I have focused a lot more on writing children's and YA books, I've kept going with my crime writing. The first two novels are now stowed somewhere in the back of my filing cabinet!
But "Trust Me, I'm Dead", first draft written in 2009, was shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger and then published by Verve Books in the UK. What a journey with that novel. I love the character, a grumpy woman (secretly modelled on a young Judi Dench), and couldn't let go of the story. Nine drafts later ...
There are two more Judi novels ("Dead and Gone" and "Mad, Bad and Dead") - but my brand new character is PI Lou Alcott, with "Woman, Missing" published in 2024 by HQ/Harlequin.
More about my crime writing and books at www.sherrylclarkcrimewriter.com

I have been writing poems and stories for over twenty-five years, and have two collections of poetry published. Perseverance really does count, I think, for all kinds of writing.

In 1996 I wrote my first children’s book, "The Too-Tight Tutu", which was published in 1997 by Penguin Australia. I have since written over 60 children's and YA books, which are published around the world.
My verse novel "Farm Kid" won the 2005 NSW Premier’s Literary Award for Children’s Books. "Sixth Grade Style Queen (Not!)" was a 2008 CBCA Honour Book. My YA novel "Dying to Tell Me", published in the USA by KaneMiller, has also been published in Australia by me.

My author website for children's books is at www.sherrylclark.com. I also work as a freelance editor, manuscript development editor and mentor - information on these at www.sherrylclarkwritingcoach.com.

Reviews

[Kathy Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This verse novel for young readers is a treasure destined to become a classic.

While written for early readers, it is a ‘hard truths’ story which will engage readers across all ages, cultures, regions and generations for a long time to come.

In a beautifully poignant and rich exploration of estranged families, Sherryl Clark has authentically portrayed the pain, grief, and confusion that haunts families when members are alienated by hurts, misunderstanding, and the inability to accept differences.

While estrangement might seem a fairly heavy topic for a young reader, the issue is deftly and delightfully explored through the eyes of 11-year-old Gemma who lives happily alone with her mum. But when her teacher tasks her with a family tree project, Gemma discovers that her grandmother, pronounced dead by her mother, is indeed alive and living close by.

Despite the shock of her mother’s lie, and the fear of destroying her relationship with her mother, Gemma determines to meet her grandmother and ask the big questions. Why and how did this separation happen?

The great beauty of this story is Gemma’s emotional honesty and search for the truth, which triggers both Mother and Grandmother to reassess their positions.

This book opens the door to conversations around one of the central mysteries confounding many families today. I highly recommend that everyone, young and old, keep a copy of “The Only Branch of the Family Tree” on their book shelf. You never know when you might want to re-visit it or loan it to a friend in need.

[Helen Farch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Only Branch on the Family Tree is a story about secrets, forgiveness and finding a way for relationships to blossom.

This new middle grade novel in verse tackles a tough topic - family estrangement - in a thoughtful and poignant way.

I appreciated that it doesn't end in a "and they all lived happily ever after way" but instead in a way that I found far more realistic and one that young readers will find far more believable.

Thanks to the Publisher for the review copy of this book.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, moving verse novel covering family breakdown/estrangement, identity, forgiveness and how not all families are shaped the same way. Gemma's voice is spot on and age appropriate, and the format is highly readable and accessible for this age group. Not ashamed to say that I shed a tear, it was quite lovely. With thanks to UQP and the author for my copy.

[kaitlyns_library · Rating 3 out of 5]

This verse novel was a fast read and one that discusses family estrangement and reconciliation. While I did find Gemma, Mum and Nan to have flaws that irked me, I can definitely see this as a book that middle grade readers will enjoy.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Only Branch on the Family Tree is the beautiful new middle grade verse novel from Sherryl Clark.

Prompted by a class assignment to construct their family tree, Gemma wants to find out whether there is more to her family than just her and her mum. Secretly searching through some of her mum’s things, she discovers that her Nan is not dead as her mum told her, but is alive and living nearby. Gemma is now full of questions. Why would her Mum lie about her Nan and what would happen if Gemma tries to find her?

I was immediately drawn in to the story of Gemma’s family and the things that had been kept hidden from her. Seeing her Mum’s betrayal through Gemma’s eyes was incredibly emotional and I could feel Gemma’s hurt through the pages.

This was only my second novel in verse but it was the perfect form to explore these family relationships and the search for forgiveness.

A poignant and hopeful story for all ages, but especially readers 8-12 years.