Wishtree by 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 her crow friend 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 experiences as a wishtree are more important than ever.

Paperback, 224 pages

Published September 26, 2017

by Feiwel & Friends

5/5 stars

Katherine Applegate is one of my favourite middle-grade authors and here is with another example of why I love her books.

Wishtree is unique in that it's from the pov of an oak tree. As Red tells his story he does it in such a way that I was spellbound.  I read it over 2 days without rushing.  I enjoyed listened to Red talk about all the changes that have taken place around the edge of the forest.  There was the friendships, people in the neighborhood  and those that come once a year to tie wishes on the branches.

Red has 216 rings, lots of changes in the world were witnessed. This was such a wonderful heartwarming story about friendship, nature and family.

I recommended not just for middle graders but all readers.

This book was part of 2024 reading off shelf challenge