Set during the Great Depression, Ellen and her mother leave their Saskatchewan farm to live with Aunt Gladys in Toronto. Ellen struggles with life in the big city and finds refuge in the big tree outside her window. When Ellen sits in the tree, she listens to what is happening on the street below; it becomes her listening tree. One evening, Ellen overhears two men talking about evicting a family because money is owed. They also plan to take advantage of an elderly woman, who owns the home, by purchasing the home for a low price. Ellen must overcome her fears and do everything in her power to stop the eviction.

English language arts grade 6 (2009).