“It is a great gift indeed to love who you are.” (Katherine Applegate, Wishtree) 

This quote tells us one of the most important ideas in the book, Wishtree. I find this as an important message and is a short little sneak peek on who the protagonist is as a personality. 

Summary: 

The story, the Wishtree, is a fiction novel by Katherine Applegate. It deals with a northern red oak tree that houses many different types of animals in its branches. Many of its animal friends call it Red, but for a long time people have called it the “wishtree”. The reason for this is that each year on the first day of May, people come from all over town to hang wishes on the tree. People hang things like gym socks, fabric, and paper on the tree, writing a wish on the object of their choosing. Some of them are sweet and some of them are sour, but by the end of May, Red is covered with wishes. 

One day in January, a ten-year-old girl, Samar, and her parents move into a tiny blue house. She is a quiet girl who had been through a lot and just wanted peace. A little after she moved in, Samar started sneaking into the garden late at night. No matter the weather, she ventured outside and sat beneath Red on an old blanket. She would stare at the night sky, at Red, or the house next door where a boy who is assumed to be her age lives. Bongo, a crow and Red’s best friend, likes Samar, along with many of the other animals who lived there. One night, Samar went out at two in the morning, her cheeks damp from crying. She put a wish on Red and whispered that she wished for a friend and Red wanted to complete that wish, however, it didn’t come easy with many other challenges smashing into Red’s plans. This book is a sentimental and interesting story that takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions. 

Review: 

This book was very wholesome. It was out of my comfort zone, so I was surprised by how much I liked it. I admire how the author made something that doesn’t talk or move come to life in such a beautiful and heartfelt way. Katherine Applegate gave the tree a lot of character which helped make the story more interesting. I especially loved the backstory of the tree and the history it lived through and witnessed. It made the tree feel more like a vibrant character than a silent object. The central theme of the book is friendship, community, and inclusivity. You can see this through the relationships of the animals and the people in the community. The book felt a lot more personal, as the tree, Red, tells you a long story about its life. I’ve mentioned that the story felt heartfelt but also felt humorous, which I found to be a good blend. The only thing that I didn’t fully enjoy is I felt that some parts of the story were forgotten along the way. However, other than that, I think the book was a fascinating read that made me appreciate the powers and influence of trees. I’d give it 📚📚📚📚📚, a wholesome novel with a great message. (5/5)

Love,

Saachi

GFB Ambassador