Wishtree (Special Edition) Adult Edition — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
A special edition for adults of Katherine Applegate's New York Times-bestselling novel about an oak tree and a crow who help their neighbors embrace their differences.
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.
When a new family moves in, not everyone is welcoming, and Red's experience as a wishtree is more important than ever. With a message of inclusion for dreamers and welcomers, this is a book for our lives and times.
"A beautifully written, morally bracing story that will leave its imprint on a reader of any age." —The New York Times Book Review
Frequently asked questions
Is Wishtree (Special Edition) Adult Edition appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The story includes an incident where a boy carves the word 'LEAVE' into the tree, representing an act of hate towards a Muslim family. This incident is handled gently within the narrative. The book does not contain genuinely frightening content. While it addresses serious themes, it does so in a gentle manner suitable for children.
Does Wishtree (Special Edition) Adult Edition have violence?
The story includes an incident where a boy carves the word 'LEAVE' into the tree, representing an act of hate towards a Muslim family. This incident is handled gently within the narrative.
Does Wishtree (Special Edition) Adult Edition have scary content?
The book does not contain genuinely frightening content. While it addresses serious themes, it does so in a gentle manner suitable for children.
Does Wishtree (Special Edition) Adult Edition have religious themes?
The book addresses themes of religious bigotry, specifically anti-Muslim sentiments, through the narrative of a Muslim family facing hate. This is a central conflict in the story.
Does Wishtree (Special Edition) Adult Edition have racial/cultural content?
The book explores themes of racial and religious bigotry, particularly against a Muslim family, and emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity within the community.
Does Wishtree (Special Edition) Adult Edition have profanity?
There is no profanity in the book. The language used is appropriate for the target audience of children and young readers.
Does Wishtree (Special Edition) Adult Edition have climate change?
The narrative includes environmental concepts and touches on ideas of migration and immigration across generations, reflecting on the interconnectedness of life.
Does Wishtree (Special Edition) Adult Edition have sexual identity?
No sexual content is present in the book. The narrative focuses on themes of friendship and community rather than sexual themes.
Does Wishtree (Special Edition) Adult Edition have gender roles?
The book does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. It focuses on themes of friendship and community rather than gender dynamics.
Does Wishtree (Special Edition) Adult Edition have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes are explicitly mentioned in the book. The focus is on anti-Muslim bigotry and the experiences of a Muslim family, rather than LGBTQ+ representation.
