Wishtree, Katherine Applegate

I decided to borrow Wishtree from our local library after my fourth grader loved reading Crenshaw, also by Katherine Applegate. I was so glad we checked it out, and my only regret was not having read both Crenshaw and Wishtree with my now eighth grader when he was younger.

Wishtree is written in the voice of Red, an old oak tree that for generations has hosted quirky creatures and witnessed the lives of the neighborhood’s families. Red’s branches are filled with wishes written on strips of cloth, a long-standing neighborhood tradition. The requests vary in significance, but when a lonely little girl whispers that she wishes for a friend, Red feels compelled to take on a bigger role than simply providing the branch on which the wish hangs. 

Applegate developed the character of Red in a really captivating way, with human-like emotions, a sense of purpose, and a heartfelt mission. She takes as much care with the animal characters that live in and around Red, giving them whimsical personalities and using clever naming schemes. 

I thought Wishtree was a great read-aloud choice, and my son and I really looked forward to checking in with Red each night.