Wishtree
By: Katherine Applegate
"Warm and thoughtful, this story is told from the perspective of an ancient oak tree who has seen it all. Bestselling author Katherine Applegate gets readers rooting for the old tree, along with the people and animals who come to depend on it. The shorter length and strong plot are appealing for middle grade readers who are growing into novels with less illustrated narrative and more complex subject matter." - Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
An Amazon Top 20 Children's Books of 2017
The New York Times-bestselling story of kindness, friendship, and hope.
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.
By: Katherine Applegate
"Warm and thoughtful, this story is told from the perspective of an ancient oak tree who has seen it all. Bestselling author Katherine Applegate gets readers rooting for the old tree, along with the people and animals who come to depend on it. The shorter length and strong plot are appealing for middle grade readers who are growing into novels with less illustrated narrative and more complex subject matter." - Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
An Amazon Top 20 Children's Books of 2017
The New York Times-bestselling story of kindness, friendship, and hope.
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.
The Science of Trees
Look up information about Quercus rubra, the red oak tree. What qualities of this type of tree make it a good choice for this story? How many facts about the red oak tree can you discover? Write a paragraph about the unique characteristics of a red oak tree and where it is most likely to grow. |
The Power of Wishing
Research the history of wishing trees in various cultures. How many ways can you discover that people have used wishing trees throughout history? What is the importance of these trees for the people who bring wishes to them? Look up folktales and legends in which trees are an important element or symbol in a story. |
Immigration Through the Years
Red talks about seeing many changes in the neighborhood over the years and the wonderful variety of people who have come to live there. How many different nationalities can you list based on what Red says about the foods and customs the people brought with them, from Maeve to Samar’s family? Draw a picture or write a description of what you think the neighborhood looks like when everyone comes to hang a wish on the tree. |