Wishtree

Wishtree (2017) is a work of young adult fiction by Katherine Applegate. Directly addressing the bigotry and Islamophobia of the Trump era, the novel tackles the polarized American political climate by praising the value of diversity, tolerance, and compassion.

Plot Summary

This book’s narrator is a 216-year-old northern oak tree named Red. Red is a dioecious tree who has both male and female characteristics, so refers to themself with the pronoun “they.” The story takes place in an unnamed American town, where Red is a wishtree. Every May 1, on Wishing Day, townspeople make a pilgrimage to Red to tie their dearest wishes to Red’s branches.

Red has been rooted to their spot since before 1848, when an influx of immigrants arrived in the area. They became a wishtree when a young woman named Maeve brought her Irish tradition to the town and tied a wish on Red’s branch for someone to love. Maeve received her wish when a destitute Italian immigrant left a baby in one of Red’s hollows. Maeve, unmarried and lonely, adopted the Italian baby and gave her a name that honored her heritage—Amadora. Initially ostracized for her choice, Maeve eventually succeeded in carving out a place for herself and her hybrid family within the community.