Annie GloverÕs grandma is always protesting something, but she goes too far when she chains herself to a century-old tree and names it Elmer. Elmer is scheduled to be cut down to make way for a new swimming-pool complex and Grandma is trying to save him, but Annie wants that swimming poolÑand so do all her classmates. Now she must endure all the other fourth graders asking her embarrassing questions and that pesky Leroy Kirk calling her a Òtree lover.Ó However, as Annie considers what Elmer means to her town and to herself, she begins to think that maybe GrandmaÕs not so crazy after all.

Adorable illustrations perfectly capture AnnieÕs scheme to save ElmerÑwith the help of her teacher, her best friend, a zany trio of parachuting Elvis impersonators, and, yes, even Grandma.