The+Giving+Tree

**SUMMARY/REVIEW**
The Giving Tree is a tree that gives all that it has to make a young boy happy. The tree provides the boy shade to sit in, apples to eat, and branches to play on. Shel Silverstein takes readers on a journey of coming of age. As the boy grows up, he becomes too busy to sit in the shade and too old to eat apples or play on branches. However, the tree gives the boy whatever it is he can use until the tree has nothing left. When the tree is finally nothing but a stump, the boy returns. The tree tells him it has nothing left, and the boy replies that he only needs a place to sit. In the end, the tree is happy to provide the boy with everything he needed throughout his life. (1)



**AUTHOR BIO**
Shel Silverstein was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 25, 1930. (2) He was an American poet, cartoonist, singer, songwriter, and an author of children's books. He is most widely known for his children's books which have been translated into over 20 different languages and have sold over 20 million copies. Shel Silverstein will forever be remembered by his works, but died on May 10, 1999. Author Website: [|www.shelsilverstein.com]

**OTHER CHILDREN'S LITERATURE**
//Runny Babbit; Every Thing On It; Falling Up; Don't Bump the Glump!; Where the Sidewalk Ends; Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back; A Light in the Attic; The Missing Piece; The Missing Piece Meets the Big O; Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros// (3)

//Where the Sidewalk Ends//, New York Times Outstanding Book Award 1974, Michigan Young Readers' Award 1981, and George G. Stone Award 1984; //A Light in the Attic//, Best Books School Library Journal 1981, Buckeye Awards 1983, George G. Stone Award 1984, and the William Allen White Award 1984 (4)
 * AWARDS**

**HISTORICAL CONTEXT**
//The Giving Tree//is a book that has been debated over since it was written. It has generated controversy and opposing opinions for its interpreted messages, on whether the tree is selfless or merely self-sacrificing, and whether the boy is selfish or reasonable in his demands of the tree.

**MAJOR THEMES**
Whimsy, Silliness, Growing Up, Playfulness, Life Lessons, Puns, Mystery, Curiosity, Morals, Freedom

**CITATIONS**
1) Silverstein, Shel. //The Giving Tree.// New York: Harper & Row, 1964. Print 2) [] 3) [] 4) []