Wishtree

This story is told from the perspective of a tree. There's inherent wisdom and patience that comes from being a tree, and now, we get to hang out with one for a few hundred pages. Our tree houses many neighborhood animals, all diverse yet similar. The neighborhood that our friend calls home is also very diverse and we get to watch what happens when a tree helps two kiddos become friends despite their different backgrounds. This story is for younger readers, and yes a tree that talks is make believe, but it's about real life. Get a copy, read it and then share it with your friends. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book: "Hollows offer protection from the elements. A secure spot to sleep and to stash your belongings. They're a safe place. Hollows are proof that something bad can become something good with enough time and care and hope" p. 5 "... Sometimes things happen that aren't so good. When they occur, I've learned that there's not much you can do except stand tall and reach deep." P. 35 "Real life, like a good garden, is messy." p. 209 This book is going to be very popular. It was published in September of this year and has already topped some major book lists. It's beautiful. Not just pretty to look at, which it is, but so sweet. I hugged the book when I finished, which isn't something I never do, but it's reserved for a special category of book.

Bought this as a gift for my daughter's friend for her birthday party. She loved it. Arrived looking brand new.

This middle grade chapter book is deceptively simple with a majorly powerful messages about community, wishes, friendship, history, stories, and the delicate balance of nature. I loved the narration from Red (a grand old red oak tree) about their neighborhood with the people, animals, and the magic of wishes. The story they tell is amazing and I could picture sitting under the limbs and just being still. This book has been banned because of the narrators use of diverse pronouns and acceptance of multiple pronouns, because the narrator is a monoecious tree (meaning it has both reproductive processes). Seriously, people object to a tree being scientifically correct?

Katherine Applegate’s book, Wishtree was a great book for mature 3rd graders to 6th graders. The beginning and middle were excellent, but the end was very unexpected. Whether it was the ancient tree, Red, describing the sunny days or switching back and forth between 120 years ago and now, I liked how Applegate used the tree’s point of view rather than a person’s point of view. The tree saw everything that happened in the neighborhood, and the people only saw about one-third of what happened in the neighborhood because they were in their houses. The ending, however, was unexpected because someone did something that she could have done anywhere else in the entire book. Katherine Applegate could have made the animals or the people do something that they only could have done in the end. In all, the book was great, but it would have been WAY better if there was at least a decent ending.

Please get this book, no matter your age! I read this with my kids (8 and 10 yrs old) and husband, and it moved all of us. There were multiple times that my husband and I were brought to tears- the message about unity, compassion, and acceptance is powerful. Our kids loved this book too- the imagery and word painting, darling characters, and relatable experiences were engaging. We ended up using this for a homeschool unit- Language Arts. There is so much to gain from this book! It is an important read for every human and will leave you feeling joy, hope, compassion, and connection.

I am a Welcomer and I can now with all certainty attest to the fact that, "Trees can't tell Jokes, but they can certainly tell stories" (Wishtree by Katherine Applegate). Boy do I LOVE Red and its unlikely tenants that surprisingly dwell harmoniously in its hallows; seldom cantankerously. We've much to learn from this bunch. Red is every bit an optimist and filled with hope as evidenced by the sentiment that, "Hollows are proof that something bad can become something good with enough time and care and hope." Red is also very wise (with its 216 rings) and caring, and views the world through an empathetic lens. Red is there for the community in ways that they may never know. Red stands steadfast as a refuge in silent strength, garnished with the wishes of its immigrant neighborhood. When a new Muslim family faces adversity, Red, with the help of a crow named Bongo, concocts a plan sure to usher peace. In the end, we all have a voice. I will choose to use my voice to spread kindness. I am a Welcomer. Everyone needs to read this book. In fact, I am adding this book to my K-5 library for my students to enjoy. It is also the perfect read-aloud for the intermediate (3rd-5th grade) level. Katherine Applegate has very quickly become one of my favorite authors!

This book is everything. One of the all time best books I have ever read. The themes are so deep and presented in a beautiful way we all can understand. This book is absolutely brilliant. I will be reading this book to my class every year from now on.

For child school reading list

Book was purchased for the school to replace one my son loved too much and ended up damaging. It has been read and re-read by my 12yo boy and has been thoroughly enjoyed

Inspiring and very good

Granddaughters loved this book

Reading it to my kids and we are enjoying the book

Einfach und wunderbare Illustrationen