Wishtree

by Katherine Applegate

Libby audiobook 3 hours

Read by: Nancy Linari

Published: 2017

Genre: YA . . . mostly realistic

 

The narrator is a tree (hence the "mostly" realistic) who has been around for 216 rings. Red offers up science lessons and life lessons. 

 

I mostly enjoyed this book because of the humor but also because of the theme of kindness and friendship. The humor (to me) was in the animals' naming system. The skunks all had names of things that smelled wonderful like Fresh Baked Bread, Rose Petals, etc.  The opossums were named after things that frightened them like Hairy Spiders, Flashlight, etc. The owls and crows had different naming systems. And the raccoons were all You. You, You, You, and You didn't always get along with the other animals.

The Muslim family who has moved into the little blue house have received some hateful messages from others in this community. Samar, the little girl, loves to sit by the Wishtree and have the animal babies come to her and sit with her. Her wish is to have a friend. Her neighbor Steven is kind, but it takes the Wishtree and Bongo the crow to get them to become friends.

I jotted a few notes somewhere, but I'm too lazy to go look for them. I enjoyed this story, but it wasn't a "must read" for me. (Wonder by Palacio is a "must read.")

The One and Only Ivan

by Katherine Applegate
PRMS hardcover 300 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction w/ fantasy (talking animals)
Cina recommended

Ivan - a silverback gorilla, taken as a baby with his sister Tag. She died en route to America. His gorilla name is Mud (because he liked to draw using it)

Stella - older elephant, from a circus, most of her life in captivity (domain vs. cage)

Bob - stray dog

Ruby - baby elephant

"Humans waste words. They toss them like banana peels and leave them to rot."
"Patient is a useful way to be when you're an ape. Gorillas are as patient as stones. Humans, not so much."

My favorite part was pages 207-213 when Ivan gets angry. Excellent! I loved the ending. This is based on a true story. I love what Applegate has written in this novel.

Julia - artist, gives Ivan "Not-Tag" (stuffed gorilla), George's daughter
George - cleans the mall, is compassionate toward animals
Mack - owns the mall, down on his luck, money-focused

Home of the Brave

by Katherine Applegate
PRMS paperback, 253 pages

Written in prose poetry, this book was very thought-provoking. Kek is a refuge from Sudan. When he comes to Minnesota to live with his cousin and aunt, there is so much he doesn't understand about his new home. But when he asks Lou if he can work for her, taking care of her cow, he knows just what he's doing.

One of the MHL nominees, I don't really see many kids getting into this book. I really liked it, though. It gives another great look into an immigrant's perspective. It would be interesting to do a book club with this and La Linnea.