Up High in the Trees

Up High in the Trees, by Kiara Brinkman (2007)

Brinkman’s first book is a account of a family struggling to cope following the death of a mother. The story is told by the mother’s son, eight-year-old Sebastian Lane, who lives with an older brother and sister, and his professor father.

According to some reviewers, Sebby exhibits signs of mild autism or Asperger’s syndrome, which may explain why he seems to be unable to express himself appropriately at times. At the same time, he comes across as uniquely in tune with the emotions of those around him, as well as being obsessed with the details of his mother’s death.

The mother’s death most profoundly affects Sebby and his father, Stephen. Sebby acts out at school and Stephen begins to have trouble managing his new reality. The father takes his son out of school to stay at their summer home, hoping that a change in routine will help both of them, but Stephen only sinks further into depression. Alone in his grief, young Sebby writes letters to his teacher and others to cope as he recalls the close bond he still shares with his mother.

Delivered in short episodes, the book moves seamlessly between past and present and into the corners of the protagonist’s brilliant mind. The author does an excellent job of conveying life from the standpoint of a young boy. The Washington Post’s Ron Charles concludes that “Up High in the Trees is not a novel about autism, a condition that affects nearly 1 percent of us; it's about grief, a condition that affects 100 percent of us at one time or another.” Brinkman’s debut is a moving and compelling story throughout. Highly recommended.