Wishtree - by Katherine Applegate

About the Book

An oak tree and a crow help their neighbors embrace their differences in this beautiful, nuanced middle-grade novel from Newbery Medalist and New York Times-bestselling author Katherine Applegate.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

Praise for wishtree:

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
A New York Times Notable Book, 2017
A National Public Radio Best Book of 2017
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A Washington Post Best Book of 2017
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2017
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2017
San Francisco Chronicle 2017 Gift Guide
Los Angeles Times 2017 Gift Guide
Autumn 2017 Kids' Indie Next List Top Pick Title
Winner, E.B. White Read Aloud Award
2018 ALSC/ALA Notable Children's Book

A beautifully written, morally bracing story that will leave its imprint on a reader of any age. The New York Times Book Review

The simplicity of Newbery Medalist Applegate's graceful novel contrasts powerfully with the prejudice it confronts. Narration comes from Red, an enormous red oak near an elementary school that also serves as a "wishtree" for the neighborhood--once a year, residents deposit wishes in Red's branches and hollows.... It's a distinctive call for kindness, delivered by an unforgettable narrator.--Publishers Weekly, starred review

Applegate introduces another quiet, resilient protagonist who -- like the caged gorilla in The One and Only Ivan and the working-class boy in Crenshaw -- speaks movingly to a noisy, fractious world. -- The Washington Post

The story's wit and humor keep it from being heavy-handed, as do vivid portrayals of minor characters, especially Bongo, the sarcastic crow who is Red's best friend. This is a book made for family sharing and discussion.--Raleigh News & Observer

Timely, necessary, and brimming with heart.-- Booklist, starred review

Newbery Award-winning author Applegate meets high expectations in this tale told by a tree named Red, a red oak who is "two hundred and sixteen rings old." ... Another stunning effort from Applegate. This thoughtful read is a top choice for middle graders.--School Library Journal, starred review

This swiftly moving yet contemplative read is great for early middle grade, reluctant or tentative readers, or precocious younger students. A deceptively simple, tender tale in which respect, resilience, and hope triumph.--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

This gentle yet powerful book is suitable for all ages...and its message remains more vital than ever.--BookPage

Inspires hope for positive change. Perfect for a powerful classroom read, Wishtree is another winner for Applegate.--Voices of Youth Advocates, starred review
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Praise for Crenshaw:

A New York Times Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller

This accessible and moving novel demonstrates how the creative resilience of a child's mind can soften difficult situations, while exploring the intersection of imagination and truth. --Publishers Weekly, starred review

A compelling and unflinchingly honest treatment of a difficult topic. --School Library Journal, starred review

The tone is warm and, occasionally, quirkily funny, but it doesn't sugarcoat the effects of hunger and vulnerability. --The Horn Book, starred review

About the Author

Katherine Applegate is the author of The One and Only Ivan, winner of the 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, Home of the Brave continues to be included on state reading lists, summer reading lists, and class reading lists. Katherine Applegate lives in Tiburon, California, with her family