Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Wishtree is the newest release from Katherine Appelgate, award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan. This tale of friendship, community, and acceptance is told from the point of view of Red, neighborhood oak tree. Red is known to the neighborhood as the wishtree, because each spring adults and children tie ribbons, scraps of fabric, and even underwear that contain wishes onto Red. This tradition hasn't been a problem until recently. Red and his animal friends work together help the people in the neighborhood. (I don't want to tell too much about the plot, because I don't want to give away too much.)

I think this book make a perfect read aloud for grades 1-6. The chapters are relatively short and manageable length for readers. The characters are engaging and speak to issues we unfortunately address each day. I can just imagine the thoughtful discussions that would come from discussions about Red and the characters in Wishtree.  Classroom teachers and librarians need to read Wishtree in order to be able to talk about it and recommend it to that special reader.