Wishtree

Red, a northern red oak, serves as the neighborhood wishtree where residents tie scraps of fabric containing their hopes. This ancient tree, alongside a cynical crow named Bongo, observes the local community without ever breaking the silence required by the rules of nature. When Samar, a young Muslim girl, moves into a house nearby, a local boy carves a hateful message into Red’s bark, signaling that her family is unwelcome. To protect Samar and preserve the neighborhood’s safety, Red decides to intervene, using memories of the past to foster a connection with a lonely boy named Levi and prevent the tree’s scheduled removal.

Elementary and middle school readers find in this story a clear examination of how communities respond to xenophobia and prejudice. It appeals to those interested in the natural world and the perspective of non-human narrators. Readers walk away with a specific understanding of how small acts of hospitality counteract exclusion. The book provides a framework for discussing religious tolerance and the historical role of immigrants in suburban neighborhoods, emphasizing the difference between passive observation and active friendship.

Clear-cut and thought-provoking; an easy read.

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