Review: "Wishtree," by Katherine Applegate

Red is the local wish tree that has been around for 216 "rings." Red has seen it all. Local tradition holds that people from all around come and tie their wishes to Red on May Day each year. Wishes come in all forms, some silly like wishing for chocolate spaghetti, and some serious like wishing for a friend. New to the neighborhood is Samar, a young Muslim girl whose family is not being welcomed. In fact, someone even carves the word "leave" into Red since it sits just in front of Samar's house. Red and the many animals who live in her hollows decide to do something to make Samar's wish come true. In fact, Red does something no tree is ever supposed to do: she speaks to Samar. Told in a quiet, calm, steady tone, this book gives the reader a new way to look at trees and all they see and experience.

Mrs. Denney's Rating: ***1/2

#review #friendship #nature #animalfiction