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Wishtree
An oak tree and a crow help their neighbors embrace their differences in this beautiful, nuanced, New York Times -bestselling middle-grade novel from Newbery Medalist author Katherine Applegate.
Trees can't tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories. . . .
Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood "wishtree"―people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red's branches. Along with a crow named Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red's hollows, this wishtree watches over the neighborhood.
You might say Red has seen it all.
Until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red's experience as a wishtree is more important than ever.
Funny, deep, warm, and nuanced, this is Katherine Applegate at her very best―writing from the heart, and from a completely unexpected point of view.
This book has Common Core connections.
Trees can't tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories. . . .
Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood "wishtree"―people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red's branches. Along with a crow named Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red's hollows, this wishtree watches over the neighborhood.
You might say Red has seen it all.
Until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red's experience as a wishtree is more important than ever.
Funny, deep, warm, and nuanced, this is Katherine Applegate at her very best―writing from the heart, and from a completely unexpected point of view.
This book has Common Core connections.
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2017
1,895 people are currently reading
32.2k people want to read
About the author
Katherine Applegate
155books5,903followersKatherine Applegate is the author of The One and Only Ivan, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal. Her novel Crenshaw spent over twenty weeks on the New York Times children's bestseller list, and her first middle-grade stand-alone novel, the award-winning Home of the Brave, continues to be included on state reading lists, summer reading lists, and class reading lists.
Katherine has written three picture books: The Buffalo Storm; The Remarkable True Story of Ivan, the Shopping Mall Gorilla (often used as a companion book to The One and Only Ivan for younger readers); and Sometimes You Fly (publishing in spring, 2018). For beginning readers, Katherine wrote Roscoe Riley Rules, a seven-book series.
With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote Animorphs, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide.
Katherine lives in Marin County, California, with her family and assorted pets.
Katherine has written three picture books: The Buffalo Storm; The Remarkable True Story of Ivan, the Shopping Mall Gorilla (often used as a companion book to The One and Only Ivan for younger readers); and Sometimes You Fly (publishing in spring, 2018). For beginning readers, Katherine wrote Roscoe Riley Rules, a seven-book series.
With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote Animorphs, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide.
Katherine lives in Marin County, California, with her family and assorted pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,991 reviews
October 5, 2017
to watch a video review of this book on my channel, From Beginning to Bookend.
A beautiful story and a poignant metaphor.
Animals compete for resources, just like humans.
They eat one another. They fight for dominance.
Nature is not always pretty or fair or kind.
But sometimes surprises happen. And Samar, every spring night, reminded me there is beauty in stillness and grace in acceptance.
A beautiful story and a poignant metaphor.
Animals compete for resources, just like humans.
They eat one another. They fight for dominance.
Nature is not always pretty or fair or kind.
But sometimes surprises happen. And Samar, every spring night, reminded me there is beauty in stillness and grace in acceptance.
October 10, 2019
With Red, Katherine Applegate introduces another quiet, resilient protagonist who -- like the caged gorilla in “The One and Only Ivan,� -- speaks movingly to a noisy, belligerent world. Red is a caring oak who describes her life as a leafy shelter for generations of animals, and as a wishtree for humans. It’s easy to suspend disbelief with her wise voice, active mind and caring soul. She knows well the habits of creatures in her world and treats readers to an insightful analysis -- though the habits of humans could be a bit trickier for her.
“Two hundred and sixteen rings, and I still haven’t figured them out.�
The pacing starts out slowly, with early chapters focused almost entirely on the natural world, but eventually we get to meet the human at the novel’s center. Samar, a recent Muslim refugee, is lonely and in need of a friend. When a teenager carves a hateful message into Red’s trunk, she worries about its effect on Samar and her family. Amidst all this, the woman who owns the property threatens to cut down Red, having forgotten the story of her ancestors and the beginning of all the wishes. As much as she doesn't want to be chopped down, Red still persists to help Samar. So she and her best buddy, a crow named Bongo, begin to scheme about helping Samar make a connection to the community, with poignant results.
Applegate often untangles thorny subjects for young readers. In "Wishtree", she takes on anti-Muslim bigotry, handling the subject with a light touch, so the treatment doesn't feel heavy. There's sly humor, and fun friendships involving the tree, talking animals, and humans, mixed in with some meaty scientific information about trees and animals. The story is sprinkled with strikingly beautiful language, but never showy. My favorite was, "the stars freckled the sky."
I adored Red! And her story could teach us a lot about kindness, friendship, family, heritage, and so much more.
“If you find yourself standing near a particularly friendly-looking tree .�.�. listen up.�
“Two hundred and sixteen rings, and I still haven’t figured them out.�
The pacing starts out slowly, with early chapters focused almost entirely on the natural world, but eventually we get to meet the human at the novel’s center. Samar, a recent Muslim refugee, is lonely and in need of a friend. When a teenager carves a hateful message into Red’s trunk, she worries about its effect on Samar and her family. Amidst all this, the woman who owns the property threatens to cut down Red, having forgotten the story of her ancestors and the beginning of all the wishes. As much as she doesn't want to be chopped down, Red still persists to help Samar. So she and her best buddy, a crow named Bongo, begin to scheme about helping Samar make a connection to the community, with poignant results.
Applegate often untangles thorny subjects for young readers. In "Wishtree", she takes on anti-Muslim bigotry, handling the subject with a light touch, so the treatment doesn't feel heavy. There's sly humor, and fun friendships involving the tree, talking animals, and humans, mixed in with some meaty scientific information about trees and animals. The story is sprinkled with strikingly beautiful language, but never showy. My favorite was, "the stars freckled the sky."
I adored Red! And her story could teach us a lot about kindness, friendship, family, heritage, and so much more.
“If you find yourself standing near a particularly friendly-looking tree .�.�. listen up.�
March 19, 2022
3,5/5
November 11, 2022
This was a great little book. 🤗 Perfect for middle school kids- quick read- with a powerful message. ❤️
April 7, 2021
"Red", a 216-ring oak tree, lives in an old neighborhood with various lovable creatures who make their homes in or around her. Once a year, Red becomes "the wishtree" when people print their wishes onto scraps of cloth, pieces of paper, even underwear, and tie these objects onto her branches. Red has seen many things in her long life, and even though she loves people, sometimes their thoughts and actions confuse her.
This story about friendship, prejudice, loyalty and acceptance makes a lovely read-aloud for young children ages 5-12!
This story about friendship, prejudice, loyalty and acceptance makes a lovely read-aloud for young children ages 5-12!
July 12, 2017
ALL THE STARS!!! This is THE middle grade book of fall 2017 and it should be on the pre-order list for every single library and middle grade classroom in the country. While it may be listed as for ages 10-14, I would read this book aloud as far down as first grade.
WISHTREE is at first glance a middle grade novel about a tree and animals, but WISHTREE is also, and more importantly, a message book.
It uses the medium of a beautiful middle grade story to spread a message about wishes and inclusion and friendship and religious tolerance in a time of great turmoil in the US. And yes, it also has great dialogue between Red the oak tree and Red's animal friends - that's what will first hook kids! But as teachers and parents share this book with children, Red and the animals will fall to the background as discussions about big topics arise.....big topics that we do need to be talking about.
What Applegate has done with this book is exquisite, as she has wrapped this vital message up in a book that is incredibly accessible to to even the most reluctant middle grade reader - short chapters, simple sentences and manageable vocabulary are the perfect venue for a message like this. I will be recommending this as a staff book club pick this year and hope to have it read aloud to as many classes as possible in my school. It's THAT good. And THAT important.
Please see the book website for resources and to register for a Wishing Day event on 9/28/17.
Thanks to NerdCampMI and the publisher for the advance review copy of this title - all opinions are my own. This galley will now be passed on to the #kidlitexchange review network.
WISHTREE is at first glance a middle grade novel about a tree and animals, but WISHTREE is also, and more importantly, a message book.
It uses the medium of a beautiful middle grade story to spread a message about wishes and inclusion and friendship and religious tolerance in a time of great turmoil in the US. And yes, it also has great dialogue between Red the oak tree and Red's animal friends - that's what will first hook kids! But as teachers and parents share this book with children, Red and the animals will fall to the background as discussions about big topics arise.....big topics that we do need to be talking about.
What Applegate has done with this book is exquisite, as she has wrapped this vital message up in a book that is incredibly accessible to to even the most reluctant middle grade reader - short chapters, simple sentences and manageable vocabulary are the perfect venue for a message like this. I will be recommending this as a staff book club pick this year and hope to have it read aloud to as many classes as possible in my school. It's THAT good. And THAT important.
Please see the book website for resources and to register for a Wishing Day event on 9/28/17.
Thanks to NerdCampMI and the publisher for the advance review copy of this title - all opinions are my own. This galley will now be passed on to the #kidlitexchange review network.
August 15, 2024
Next to our local high school there is a walking dirt path that we like to take the dogs. It includes two rows of trees that appear to embrace each other and create this beautiful tree canopy. It is almost like once the trees grew to mature size adjacent to each other they conjoined and formed this amazing long covered walkway from one end to another (.30 miles). We sometimes imagine that the trees are looking out for every level of life that passes through or chooses to live amongst them.
That truly is one of our favorite walks � to be amongst those trees. We feel so protected � and loved. And if a branch falls from a harsh windstorm or rainfall, we feel sad that the tree has lost one of its limbs. Because we know, once a branch falls, it will not grow back.
There is something to be said about the beauty, and loss and power of trees.
So, when I learned of another book by this author, where the star of the story was a talking tree named Red, I had to read it.
The beauty of stories like this, is the moment you open the book, it is so engrossing, it is unputdownable. And before you know it, it is done.
Even if it appears to be a normal size novel (hardbound 211 pages), with its larger size font and illustrations, it moves along quickly for readers.
Having just finished a talking dog story, how could I not fall in love with a talking tree story. I’m finding myself open to about anything now. Especially if the author has imagination.
After all, I am a fan of magical realism.
Still, this is a kid’s story, so anything is possible in the realm of children’s books. Right?
This is a strong message book. Handled with sensitivity and humor.
This is a story about trees, the protection of, and importance and appreciation of trees.
It is also a story about diversity and differences and friendship.
There will be lots of learning moments too about trees and animals.
There will be moments where friends will disagree, and even through disagreement, people can find ways to like each other.
And, there will be teaching moments of how diversity within the community can bring people together and eventually work through those differences.
Red’s message�
“I’m not just a tree. I’m a home. A community.�
May we always value trees recognizing Red’s message.
That truly is one of our favorite walks � to be amongst those trees. We feel so protected � and loved. And if a branch falls from a harsh windstorm or rainfall, we feel sad that the tree has lost one of its limbs. Because we know, once a branch falls, it will not grow back.
There is something to be said about the beauty, and loss and power of trees.
So, when I learned of another book by this author, where the star of the story was a talking tree named Red, I had to read it.
The beauty of stories like this, is the moment you open the book, it is so engrossing, it is unputdownable. And before you know it, it is done.
Even if it appears to be a normal size novel (hardbound 211 pages), with its larger size font and illustrations, it moves along quickly for readers.
Having just finished a talking dog story, how could I not fall in love with a talking tree story. I’m finding myself open to about anything now. Especially if the author has imagination.
After all, I am a fan of magical realism.
Still, this is a kid’s story, so anything is possible in the realm of children’s books. Right?
This is a strong message book. Handled with sensitivity and humor.
This is a story about trees, the protection of, and importance and appreciation of trees.
It is also a story about diversity and differences and friendship.
There will be lots of learning moments too about trees and animals.
There will be moments where friends will disagree, and even through disagreement, people can find ways to like each other.
And, there will be teaching moments of how diversity within the community can bring people together and eventually work through those differences.
Red’s message�
“I’m not just a tree. I’m a home. A community.�
May we always value trees recognizing Red’s message.
August 20, 2022
This is such a beautiful heartwarming story 😭
The tears came spilling down because of all the warmth and so much hope this little story gave me.
I mean I am so grateful to the only Booktuber in the world who read this book to her three kids recently and she told us she was bawling in front of them while reading out this story.
I got the book and started reading it.
And yes, I got more than what I expected! No, not the crying part. But how unique the story and the characters are in this children's book!
The story is told from the perspective of an old oak tree, Red, with the other characters: a crow called Bongo as his closest friend, and other animal families residing on the tree.
The plot is based on the ruthless discrimination and threat towards an immigrant family of Samar, a girl of around ten years old, to leave the place as her family belongs to the Muslim community. Samar confides in the tree each night and, like magic, all the creatures living in the tree have a connection with her and they actually love being around each other.
Red knows that Samar needs a friend. She needs to stay. And also, that Samar's family need to have a friendly neighborhood, at least alongwith Stephen's family, their immediate neighbours.
People from everywhere come to Red to make wishes every year as some tradition and that's where the story works. But also try to find out how Red as a tree becomes threatened to be cut down, a situation which makes Red to do something which is forbidden for trees, and actually making a huge difference in the end.
Love this story so much!
My soul is healed.
*Can I just binge read this author today????
The tears came spilling down because of all the warmth and so much hope this little story gave me.
I mean I am so grateful to the only Booktuber in the world who read this book to her three kids recently and she told us she was bawling in front of them while reading out this story.
I got the book and started reading it.
And yes, I got more than what I expected! No, not the crying part. But how unique the story and the characters are in this children's book!
The story is told from the perspective of an old oak tree, Red, with the other characters: a crow called Bongo as his closest friend, and other animal families residing on the tree.
The plot is based on the ruthless discrimination and threat towards an immigrant family of Samar, a girl of around ten years old, to leave the place as her family belongs to the Muslim community. Samar confides in the tree each night and, like magic, all the creatures living in the tree have a connection with her and they actually love being around each other.
Red knows that Samar needs a friend. She needs to stay. And also, that Samar's family need to have a friendly neighborhood, at least alongwith Stephen's family, their immediate neighbours.
People from everywhere come to Red to make wishes every year as some tradition and that's where the story works. But also try to find out how Red as a tree becomes threatened to be cut down, a situation which makes Red to do something which is forbidden for trees, and actually making a huge difference in the end.
Love this story so much!
My soul is healed.
*Can I just binge read this author today????
August 4, 2017
Katherine Applegate’s is one of the finest books I’ve ever read. Not one of the finest children’s book. Not one of the finest illustrated book � although the drawings are breathtaking. No, one of the finest books, period. I have harangued countless adults to please, please give Ivan a chance!
So it pains me to say that Wishtree is no The One and Only Ivan. Yes, as is in Applegate’s 2013 Newbery Medal winner, Wishtree has an important message: We should accept people even if they’re different and get to know them before we judge them. But whereas a gorilla as narrator worked so perfectly in The One and Only Ivan, Red the oak tree as narrator seems twee. And who is the audience for this book? The message, as portrayed in the book, is probably too subtly expressed for most 8- to 9-year-olds to follow but too heavy-handed for adults, even kid-lit lovers like myself.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Feiwel & Friends in exchange for an honest review.
So it pains me to say that Wishtree is no The One and Only Ivan. Yes, as is in Applegate’s 2013 Newbery Medal winner, Wishtree has an important message: We should accept people even if they’re different and get to know them before we judge them. But whereas a gorilla as narrator worked so perfectly in The One and Only Ivan, Red the oak tree as narrator seems twee. And who is the audience for this book? The message, as portrayed in the book, is probably too subtly expressed for most 8- to 9-year-olds to follow but too heavy-handed for adults, even kid-lit lovers like myself.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Feiwel & Friends in exchange for an honest review.
October 3, 2017
Wishtree is like an iceberg- small on the surface but immensely powerful underneath. This is another quietly powerful book by adored author Katherine Applegate.
January 2, 2019
Five enthusiastic stars for this sweet, beautiful, heartwarming story. It’s charming, and funny, and big-hearted, and touching, and imparts a lovely (and timely) message without it being saccharine or manipulative. I loved every page.
April 30, 2022
Now while I and indeed do very much appreciate the important and necessary messages of inclusivity presented in Katherine Applegate's Wishtreee and very much agree that fighting against ethnic and cultural bigotry is important, I also and nevertheless cannot say that I have personally all that much enjoyed Wishtree as a reading experience in and of itself.
For one, although the admonishments against ethnic stereotyping and cultural anger as well as the strong coming together of especially the neighbourhood children to change Samar's parents' minds regarding moving after there had been some rather nasty instances of anti-Muslim hatred against the family (including a vile racist bully boy carving "leave" into the bark of the local Wishtree), while this definitely should be in every way considered very much necessary and positive, Katherine Applegate's textual execution has (to and for me) also felt rather annoyingly unnuanced and often like I am being squarely hit over the head with a proverbial rubber mallet, almost like having to endure a moralistic church sermon (not to mention that the scenario of Red the Wishtree being saved from the axe first and foremost by the neighbourhood wild animal babies basically organising themselves and literally having a sit-in or more to the point a climb-in on Red's branches has also seemed a bit too overly fantastic and artificial for a story that at least in my opinion looks based on a real-life and not a fantastical premise).
And for two, and this is definitely mostly an entirely personal quibble, while I do love and adore trees, I really only enjoy reading about anthropomorphic, human-like, talking trees such as how Red the oak tree acts and reacts in Wishtree if I am perusing either fairytales or fantasies. And since it is pretty obvious that Katherine Applegate has at least in its core envisioned her Wishtree as realistic fiction dealing with primarily modern 21st century American issues and scenarios (mostly regarding nastiness against recent immigrants and that it is often considered much easier and less of a hassle for homeowners to get large trees removed, to have them cut down), I really have neither much liked nor even appreciated that the main narrator and protagonist of Wishtree is an oak tree which almost continuously chatters away and thus indeed often rather thinks and behaves like a human being would (for trees are trees and humans are humans and truly, in realistic fiction, they should at least in my opinion be separate and not too similar, as I also tend to think that we do trees as living beings a grave disservice anthropomorphising them and making them seem as too much like us).
So therefore, even with my appreciation of what the author, of what Katherine Applegate tries to promote, accomplish and encourage with Wishtree, the didactic heaviness of her presented messages as well as the unreality of a talking tree as main protagonist and narrator in a basically to and for me realistic fiction novel has definitely and indeed very much lessened potential reading pleasure and to the point that personally, I really can only consider two stars maximum for Wishtree (with the caveat that I do realise I seem to be among the minority here, that in general, most readers have obviously enjoyed Wishtree considerably more than I have).
And well, trying Wishtree has not changed my general feelings of reading annoyance, so my two star ranking will be remaining.
For one, although the admonishments against ethnic stereotyping and cultural anger as well as the strong coming together of especially the neighbourhood children to change Samar's parents' minds regarding moving after there had been some rather nasty instances of anti-Muslim hatred against the family (including a vile racist bully boy carving "leave" into the bark of the local Wishtree), while this definitely should be in every way considered very much necessary and positive, Katherine Applegate's textual execution has (to and for me) also felt rather annoyingly unnuanced and often like I am being squarely hit over the head with a proverbial rubber mallet, almost like having to endure a moralistic church sermon (not to mention that the scenario of Red the Wishtree being saved from the axe first and foremost by the neighbourhood wild animal babies basically organising themselves and literally having a sit-in or more to the point a climb-in on Red's branches has also seemed a bit too overly fantastic and artificial for a story that at least in my opinion looks based on a real-life and not a fantastical premise).
And for two, and this is definitely mostly an entirely personal quibble, while I do love and adore trees, I really only enjoy reading about anthropomorphic, human-like, talking trees such as how Red the oak tree acts and reacts in Wishtree if I am perusing either fairytales or fantasies. And since it is pretty obvious that Katherine Applegate has at least in its core envisioned her Wishtree as realistic fiction dealing with primarily modern 21st century American issues and scenarios (mostly regarding nastiness against recent immigrants and that it is often considered much easier and less of a hassle for homeowners to get large trees removed, to have them cut down), I really have neither much liked nor even appreciated that the main narrator and protagonist of Wishtree is an oak tree which almost continuously chatters away and thus indeed often rather thinks and behaves like a human being would (for trees are trees and humans are humans and truly, in realistic fiction, they should at least in my opinion be separate and not too similar, as I also tend to think that we do trees as living beings a grave disservice anthropomorphising them and making them seem as too much like us).
So therefore, even with my appreciation of what the author, of what Katherine Applegate tries to promote, accomplish and encourage with Wishtree, the didactic heaviness of her presented messages as well as the unreality of a talking tree as main protagonist and narrator in a basically to and for me realistic fiction novel has definitely and indeed very much lessened potential reading pleasure and to the point that personally, I really can only consider two stars maximum for Wishtree (with the caveat that I do realise I seem to be among the minority here, that in general, most readers have obviously enjoyed Wishtree considerably more than I have).
And well, trying Wishtree has not changed my general feelings of reading annoyance, so my two star ranking will be remaining.
December 13, 2017
Beautiful, unique, touching. But most of all,
real
. It's just what I needed to read today, this week, this year.
Rereading and loving Red's voice. Wise and gentle. When bad things happen, he's learned you have to "stand tall and reach deep"
Rereading and loving Red's voice. Wise and gentle. When bad things happen, he's learned you have to "stand tall and reach deep"
April 19, 2017
Beautiful story about family and community.
March 2, 2019
Delightful! I love that our protagonist is a tree and we see the world through the eyes of this still giant. I loved Katherine's descriptions of leaves and branches moving in the wind and the interplay of animals. Trees, our planets memories. They are also the planets lungs. They help to cool us down and bring beauty to us.
So yes, I love the tree at the center of the story. The tree watches the lives of those around it, animals and humans. We meet many of the animals. The story really revolves around Samar, a girl who is a muslim who moves into this neighborhood. Now this neighborhood is a collection of many different types of people and races and skins. It has been very opening but for reasons of the political mood of the country, the muslims aren't popular in this place. Someone carves the word 'LEAVE' into the tree and the family feels a little nervous and afraid.
Samar makes a wish on this special wishing tree that she wants a friend. She is very lonely. So the tree who normally just holds the wishes begins to make plans using the animals to get Samar to interact with other people.
It really is a fantastic story. It's heartwarming and the writing is wonderful. She captures what it would be like to be a tree. The beginning starts a little slow but it works up to a fantastic ending. It's a nice short and sweet read for middle grades and above.
So yes, I love the tree at the center of the story. The tree watches the lives of those around it, animals and humans. We meet many of the animals. The story really revolves around Samar, a girl who is a muslim who moves into this neighborhood. Now this neighborhood is a collection of many different types of people and races and skins. It has been very opening but for reasons of the political mood of the country, the muslims aren't popular in this place. Someone carves the word 'LEAVE' into the tree and the family feels a little nervous and afraid.
Samar makes a wish on this special wishing tree that she wants a friend. She is very lonely. So the tree who normally just holds the wishes begins to make plans using the animals to get Samar to interact with other people.
It really is a fantastic story. It's heartwarming and the writing is wonderful. She captures what it would be like to be a tree. The beginning starts a little slow but it works up to a fantastic ending. It's a nice short and sweet read for middle grades and above.
September 4, 2021
كتاب رقيق جميل يصلح جدا لمن يريد قصة هادئة ترويها شجرة حكيمة كي يهرب من الضغوط و المتاعب و يجد بعض الأمل.
October 5, 2017
Before I get into this very long review, I do want to state that I didn't hate the book. It's very nice, and I think would be a decent read aloud. But I keep seeing it bandied about as a possible Newbery contender, for many people the top choice, and that brings out the hyper critical in me.
I found this book to be insufferably twee. It also grated on my nerves that every single non-human character was highly anthropomorphized, but were supposedly living in the real world. I'm perfectly happy to have talking animals wearing clothes and being essentially human, and I am also perfectly happy to have talking animals in the wild if I have a belief that they're at least somewhat realistically animal-like. And obviously even the best attempt to showcase animal thought is going to fall short, because the nature of being human is that we cannot shake our own assumptions and worldviews. But all of these animals, and the tree, were 100% human, and specifically American human. There was no attempt at all to present a non-human worldview. All of the values held by the creatures are solidly human values, with a dash of unacknowledged American culture (friendship! love! acceptance! group protest!)
The book couldn't quite decide if it was a fantasy with twee talking animals or a realistic fiction book with a dash of imagination to allow us to understand what the animals were thinking (the way that, say, One and Only Ivan, did.) It was a tone problem throughout.
The naming practices of the animals is cute, but bothered me on other levels as well. I didn't like the sort of condescending tone that Red uses when talking about how the other animals name themselves. It wasn't something I could put my finger on, but there was just a sense that we were supposed to be amused by the ridiculousness of it. I suspect that it's one of those things that had I been really into the book I would have seen as fond amusement instead of mocking, but it's still amusement. Names have power. Naming culture varies widely around the world and we should respect that rather than being amused by it. Also, the owls who give themselves "sensible no fuss names" are Harold and Agnes. Which signals that very WASPy names are "sensible."
I also found the writing choppy, as if it wanted to be free verse, but couldn't quite bring itself to go all the way.
It didn't make any sense to me that Francesca, who is repeatedly described, by herself and others, as not being sentimental, decides, after reading the journal, that she shouldn't cut the tree down for basically sentimental reasons. The whole thing with the journal and the key felt out of place. It wasn't important enough to be called a subplot, but was given enough weight not to be ignored. Special keys and hidden journals are also tropes in children's literature enough that I was expecting these story elements to have more weight, whereas they're just sort of ...there.
I found this book to be insufferably twee. It also grated on my nerves that every single non-human character was highly anthropomorphized, but were supposedly living in the real world. I'm perfectly happy to have talking animals wearing clothes and being essentially human, and I am also perfectly happy to have talking animals in the wild if I have a belief that they're at least somewhat realistically animal-like. And obviously even the best attempt to showcase animal thought is going to fall short, because the nature of being human is that we cannot shake our own assumptions and worldviews. But all of these animals, and the tree, were 100% human, and specifically American human. There was no attempt at all to present a non-human worldview. All of the values held by the creatures are solidly human values, with a dash of unacknowledged American culture (friendship! love! acceptance! group protest!)
The book couldn't quite decide if it was a fantasy with twee talking animals or a realistic fiction book with a dash of imagination to allow us to understand what the animals were thinking (the way that, say, One and Only Ivan, did.) It was a tone problem throughout.
The naming practices of the animals is cute, but bothered me on other levels as well. I didn't like the sort of condescending tone that Red uses when talking about how the other animals name themselves. It wasn't something I could put my finger on, but there was just a sense that we were supposed to be amused by the ridiculousness of it. I suspect that it's one of those things that had I been really into the book I would have seen as fond amusement instead of mocking, but it's still amusement. Names have power. Naming culture varies widely around the world and we should respect that rather than being amused by it. Also, the owls who give themselves "sensible no fuss names" are Harold and Agnes. Which signals that very WASPy names are "sensible."
I also found the writing choppy, as if it wanted to be free verse, but couldn't quite bring itself to go all the way.
It didn't make any sense to me that Francesca, who is repeatedly described, by herself and others, as not being sentimental, decides, after reading the journal, that she shouldn't cut the tree down for basically sentimental reasons. The whole thing with the journal and the key felt out of place. It wasn't important enough to be called a subplot, but was given enough weight not to be ignored. Special keys and hidden journals are also tropes in children's literature enough that I was expecting these story elements to have more weight, whereas they're just sort of ...there.
November 23, 2019
الشجرة كالإنسان المعطاء..
تعطي ولا تبوح بالسؤال
يستظل الناس بها وهي تحميهم من الحر ولا أحد يحميها
تعتصم بالصمت رغم كثرة مصائبها، وتستمع إلى ثرثرة المتذمرين بجذع رحب..
صديقة الكل ولا صديق لها
وطن من لا وطن له في طريق غريب بعيد موحش..
لا ترفض زائرًا ولو قصد الأذى، قد تخاف كما نخاف.
ومع ذلك، تقف شامخة خفيفة على مر السنين، تحرك أوراقها نسمة هواء، ترويها سُقيا ماء، توقظها زقزقات العصافير.
لم تختلف عنَّا في كثير..
الإنسان المعطاء منَّا هو أول إنسان يلجأون إليه واثقين من احتوائه، واثقين من وجود حل في جعبته، وهو مستمع جيّد للعواصف والسيول التي تصيب حياتهم.
ولا أحد يأتي على باله أنه يحتاج الاحتواء أيضاً، من يحتوي الشجرة الباسقة؟ ولا أحد يتذكر أيضًا أن العواصف والسيول تصيب من تصيب وفيهم الشجرة..
تخلّت الطبيعة عن سرّها الأعظم، الصمت وتكلمت الشجرة.
"حمراء"، كثيرة السُكان متعددي الأجناس، يهددها شيء يشبه الإعدام ظلمًا
عندنا، شيء بنفس حُرقته.
وحين ذلك، فكّر الجميع في نفسه أولًا، وهي فكرت في جميعم.
نسوها كما نست نفسها.
عندما قالت "حمراء" لـ"بونغو" : ما عليكِ إلا أن تَفُكِّي عقدة أمنيةِ سمر
أول ما دار في ذهني هو أن تحرِّرها من اعتقاد أن الأمنيات مستحيلة.
من اللطيف جدًا غرس مبدأ قبول الآخر، وعدم العنصرية
كلنا لآدم، وآدم من تراب.
الشجرة أيضًا من تراب..
رواية بديعة جدًا، ساحرة كالطبيعة🌳🍃🌄🌌
تعقيب: اندماجي الكلي مع هذه الرواية أنساني فعلًا أنها عمل مترجم، ربما لأن الطبيعة لا تكون أبدًا أجنبية عنا
فكرة شجرة الأمنيات وإن كانت حالمة جدًا فهي في الحقيقة أشبه بفكرة الأضرحة، ليست مباحة للتطبيق
وصداقة سمر وستيڤن لا تكتمل فعلًا إلا بالاتفاق على واحد.
July 19, 2017
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate is a great story.
It reminded me of the old sayings 'If walls could talk' and ' I'd like to be a fly on their ceiling'.
I won't write a synopsis because there is already one on the book and there is always plenty of reviews with summaries available. I'll just jump right to what the writing style is like.
This story is very well written. There are interesting facts sprinkled within the text but it doesn't read like a educational book. The facts are stated in a manner that it seems like the author is explaining part of the story to the reader. This technique is also used for some words that might be difficult for young readers.
If all my children's school books were written like this I'd have a much easier time getting them to do their homework.
The story was very easy for me to read. I can easily see any of my older children reading this story, and loving it. My younger child is just 8 months old, not reading yet, but I will definitely put this book somewhere special, and read it to her when she gets a little older. (It's to good to take the chance that she might rip the pages now.) My older children are 10,12,and 14. Girl, boy, girl, and I believe they would all love the story.
This is a story for all ages.
It reminded me of the old sayings 'If walls could talk' and ' I'd like to be a fly on their ceiling'.
I won't write a synopsis because there is already one on the book and there is always plenty of reviews with summaries available. I'll just jump right to what the writing style is like.
This story is very well written. There are interesting facts sprinkled within the text but it doesn't read like a educational book. The facts are stated in a manner that it seems like the author is explaining part of the story to the reader. This technique is also used for some words that might be difficult for young readers.
If all my children's school books were written like this I'd have a much easier time getting them to do their homework.
The story was very easy for me to read. I can easily see any of my older children reading this story, and loving it. My younger child is just 8 months old, not reading yet, but I will definitely put this book somewhere special, and read it to her when she gets a little older. (It's to good to take the chance that she might rip the pages now.) My older children are 10,12,and 14. Girl, boy, girl, and I believe they would all love the story.
This is a story for all ages.
August 29, 2018
This gem of middle grade fiction was part of my daughter’s summer reading. How can you not love a story narrated by a wise, old tree who has seen so much in all his years? This story was fun and funny, with a myriad of hysterically-named animal characters, but it was also surprisingly moving and relevant, doling out larger lessons about hope and acceptance. Precious. 4.5 stars
February 2, 2021
This is a book about friendship and has a great message of tolerance and acceptance.
The story is told from the POV of Red (a talking oak tree). Together with its friend Bongo (a crow) and various animals who live on the tree, Red tells an engaging and touching story. The chapters are short and the dialogue between Red and the animals is funny and entertaining.
I think this would be great as a read-aloud for middle grade, because the story will appeal to many and contains various points for discussion.
The story is told from the POV of Red (a talking oak tree). Together with its friend Bongo (a crow) and various animals who live on the tree, Red tells an engaging and touching story. The chapters are short and the dialogue between Red and the animals is funny and entertaining.
I think this would be great as a read-aloud for middle grade, because the story will appeal to many and contains various points for discussion.
November 17, 2017
Trees are patient. Tress are observant. And if you listen, trees are story tellers. The Wishtree’s story is entwined and deeply rooted in the community around her. It is a story of love and friendship. A story of immigrants and coexistence, but also a story of racism and standing up for what you believe in. Above all it is about making choices. Choosing how to live your life, and if you are faced with your life ending, how to depart with dignity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2024
“It is a great gift indeed to love who you are.�
Wishtree is a beautiful middle-grade story that reminds readers of any age that our country benefits from immigration and has always been shaped by newcomers. Embracing the latest newcomers, Red points out, makes our country stronger.
An immigrant myself, I know the value of an outstretched hand, a smile and a warm welcome.
I loved this story told from a red oak tree’s point of view. At 216 rings, Red has seen many changes in the neighbourhood, but when the landlady decides to take things into her own hands the story takes an emotional turn.
I learned what a bunch of raccoons are named, the difference between monoecious and dioecious, and about the intelligence of corvids.
I’ve got my librarian friend to thank for putting this one into my hands on our last sushi date.
Wishtree is a beautiful middle-grade story that reminds readers of any age that our country benefits from immigration and has always been shaped by newcomers. Embracing the latest newcomers, Red points out, makes our country stronger.
An immigrant myself, I know the value of an outstretched hand, a smile and a warm welcome.
I loved this story told from a red oak tree’s point of view. At 216 rings, Red has seen many changes in the neighbourhood, but when the landlady decides to take things into her own hands the story takes an emotional turn.
I learned what a bunch of raccoons are named, the difference between monoecious and dioecious, and about the intelligence of corvids.
I’ve got my librarian friend to thank for putting this one into my hands on our last sushi date.
March 4, 2018
This is a story about how to be human, even if it's narrated by a tree who's more human than some people walking this earth.
Red is a 216 years old oak tree, Red is also a wish tree. Every year on the 1st of May, people come to hang their wishes on her branches.
When Samar and her muslim family move in Red's neighbourhood, some people aren't pleased and they make the new comers know they aren't welcome. But Red and her inhabitants aren't willing to let that pass without a fight.
Friendship, humanity, tolerance, acceptance, love of animals, nature and lots of fun and humour are the main pillars of this light and amazing story!
Red is a 216 years old oak tree, Red is also a wish tree. Every year on the 1st of May, people come to hang their wishes on her branches.
When Samar and her muslim family move in Red's neighbourhood, some people aren't pleased and they make the new comers know they aren't welcome. But Red and her inhabitants aren't willing to let that pass without a fight.
Friendship, humanity, tolerance, acceptance, love of animals, nature and lots of fun and humour are the main pillars of this light and amazing story!
November 29, 2017
Lovely story about a tree that watches over a neighborhood, and holds the wishes of the community in her branches. But when a very special child makes a wish, the tree decides to actually reach out and make that wish happen. Charming and timely.
June 28, 2017
Powerful, powerful book.
This book needs to be read by every child, every where.
This book needs to be read by every child, every where.
January 5, 2023
Bo przyroda skrywa swoje własne piękne historie ❤️
May 29, 2019
Read this a second time to prep for a kid's book group and I love it just as much as the first time around. Such a beautiful reminder of how beautiful a welcome can be. The illustrations are so appropriate and complement the book perfectly. A must read for all ages. "Red" is 216 after all and has much wisdom to impart.
February 6, 2019
This is such a fun read for primary school kids - perhaps 10 to 12 years old?
For an older reader it might be too obvious a preachy, a moral lesson in tolerance, too obviously so.
I nevertheless loved the humor and positive vibe in the book, especially if you want to learn from a young age how to become a political activist.
I am a serious tree hugger myself, so this book was spot on.
For an older reader it might be too obvious a preachy, a moral lesson in tolerance, too obviously so.
I nevertheless loved the humor and positive vibe in the book, especially if you want to learn from a young age how to become a political activist.
I am a serious tree hugger myself, so this book was spot on.
March 23, 2022
A perfectly wonderful kids' book about a "Wishtree".
For well over 100 years, on the 1st day of May every year, the townsfolk have been visiting this very large (216-year-old) red oak tree to tie a wish they'd written on a tag or piece of paper to one of the tree's lower limbs. The wishes rarely came true, but it brought them all together to find inspiration in this beautiful, strong oak, festooned with pretty paper and ribbons. A number of animal and bird families lived in the hollows of the tree and other hiding spots nearby. There were possums, foxes, raccoons, skunks, mice, owls, squirrels, and one very special crow named "Bongo". Bongo and Red (all red oaks are called "Red") are best of friends. Now, trees don't talk, of course, but just this once, our Wishtree speaks up to explain the meaning and history of the wishtree to the animals and the young boy and girl who live in the two houses behind the tree. Once the children have gone to bed, the others scheme to come up with a plan to make the little girl's wish come true.
What a funny, imaginative book this is! The explanations of how the various animals were named was, in itself, worth the time it took to read the book! Two examples: Skunks name themselves after pleasant scents (e.g. HomeMadeBread, RosePetal, HotButteredPopcorn); Opossums name themselves after things they fear (HairySpiders, Flashlight).
A sweet story, full of gorgeous illustrations... Unforgettable.
5 "A-dream-is-a-wish-your-heart-makes" stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
For well over 100 years, on the 1st day of May every year, the townsfolk have been visiting this very large (216-year-old) red oak tree to tie a wish they'd written on a tag or piece of paper to one of the tree's lower limbs. The wishes rarely came true, but it brought them all together to find inspiration in this beautiful, strong oak, festooned with pretty paper and ribbons. A number of animal and bird families lived in the hollows of the tree and other hiding spots nearby. There were possums, foxes, raccoons, skunks, mice, owls, squirrels, and one very special crow named "Bongo". Bongo and Red (all red oaks are called "Red") are best of friends. Now, trees don't talk, of course, but just this once, our Wishtree speaks up to explain the meaning and history of the wishtree to the animals and the young boy and girl who live in the two houses behind the tree. Once the children have gone to bed, the others scheme to come up with a plan to make the little girl's wish come true.
What a funny, imaginative book this is! The explanations of how the various animals were named was, in itself, worth the time it took to read the book! Two examples: Skunks name themselves after pleasant scents (e.g. HomeMadeBread, RosePetal, HotButteredPopcorn); Opossums name themselves after things they fear (HairySpiders, Flashlight).
A sweet story, full of gorgeous illustrations... Unforgettable.
5 "A-dream-is-a-wish-your-heart-makes" stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
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