Ellie Caster likes a boy. Unfortunately he now likes Charlotte Levy, who is not just Ellie’s rival, but part of her Southern town’s other long-feuding family. But when the mysterious tree that curses the feuding individuals suddenly begins branching out, endangering the life of Ellie’s sister and many dozens of other residents, Ellie must set aside prejudices to work with Charlotte (and her crush’s cousin Curtis) to unearth the mystery. Helen Dent’s debut The Burning Tree brings magical realism to rural Georgia, untangling thickets of familial strife with colorful characters and heartfelt prose. Ellie’s flaws and regrets only add to her likeability, similar to the lively cast that helps her seek a supernatural solution to this spiritual condition.

Best for: Teens and YA-adjacent readers who enjoy realistic settings.

Discern: Ellie frequently deceives others in her desperation to fight the curse; references to small-town bigotries, based only on familial connection; some basic romantic attraction includes a “love triangle” derivative; teenage boy constantly pursues a teenage girl who rebuffs his advances, leading to a physical assault, but is later repentant and effectively faces consequences.