45 pages 1 hour read

Katherine Applegate

Wishtree

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2017

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Katherine Applegate’s Wishtree, a 216-year-old northern oak tree named Red narrates the story of a diverse, modern American town where Red serves as a wishtree. The townspeople tie wishes to Red’s branches every year, continuing a tradition started by an Irish immigrant named Maeve. Red befriends Samar, a lonely Muslim girl who wishes for friendship amidst escalating harassment. After a vandal carves a threatening message into Red's trunk, Red breaks the rule of nature by speaking to humans to unite the community and save their own life. By Wishing Day, the town rallies to support Samar's family, and Francesca, Red’s owner, decides not to cut the tree down, honoring her great-great-grandmother Maeve’s legacy of love and tolerance.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Reviewers appreciate Katherine Applegate's Wishtree for its heartwarming themes, engaging writing style, and unique narrative perspective. The characters are well-developed and the story offers a poignant reflection on community and acceptance. However, some readers find its message overly simplistic and the plot somewhat predictable. Overall, it's heralded as a touching and timely read suitable for all ages.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Wishtree?

Fans of Wishtree by Katherine Applegate are often lovers of heartwarming tales imbued with themes of friendship, community, and nature. Comparable to readers of Wonder by R.J. Palacio and The One and Only Ivan also by Applegate, they appreciate stories that promote empathy and kindness, typically in a middle-grade fiction setting.

Recommended

Reading Age

8-12years

Lexile Level

590L

Book Details

Genre

Children's Literature

Magical Realism

Fantasy

Topics

Animals

Science / Nature