Wishtree

"Trees can't tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories. . . ."

If there was a "Wishtree" in your neighborhood, and you could wish for anything, what would you wish for?

 Title: Wishtree

Author / Illustration: Katherine Applegate

Publisher: Square Fish/Macmillan 

To learn more about the author, please visit her website here. 

Red is a 216-rings-old oak tree and this tree's friends are animals whom it talks to. Red is a "wishtree" and people put their wishes in socks or rags on Red. The people's wishes range from something like chocolate spaghetti to real-life things like family and friends staying close together. Even though this is the case, some people want to consider Red as a normal tree because they think it is insane to think a tree can grant wishes. Red also doesn't think that a tree can grant wishes.

One day, Samar, a Muslim girl moves into this neighborhood as a refugee. However, kids tease her and throw eggs at her house. Every night Samar sneaks into the yard in which Red stands to visit the tree for solace. Once Samar ties a rag on Red wishing for a friend - this makes Red eager to grant her wish. However, one day, a kid carves "LEAVE" on the bark of Red with a screwdriver, pointing to Samar and her family. This makes the problems worse and police visit the neighborhood to control the situation. Meanwhile, the lady who owns the yard in which Red stands decides to cut down the tree.

This is when the real magic unfurls! Red is sad about the soon-approaching fate, but Red is determined to complete the duties before being cut down and deciphers a way to escape the ordeal.

A fantasy novel turning into a realistic and relatable story - this is what I felt from this book! All props go to the author of the book! Red, the most important character of the story is so sweet and very positive. This is a simple and kind story that emphasizes optimism, resilience, friendships, kindness, respect, and hope.

This book could be a good read-aloud for little elementary kids and an awesome read for middle graders. Even an adult reader would be able to enjoy this classic which has a great message for today's world.

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