This moving and timely aspect of the novel makes the tale a perfect read-aloud anytime, but it can be especially meaningful during December, when students are learning about many different winter holidays, customs, and traditions from around the world and teachers are talking about the importance of giving, understanding, and facilitating broad-mindedness, peace, and joy. Even more poignantly, it reminds us of the importance of community, caring for one another, and extending acceptance, empathy, inclusion, compassion, religious tolerance, and friendship to one another for the sake of humanity. Told from the point of view of a tree that is two hundred sixteen rings old, with the wisdom that accompanies as many years of observing and thinking about humans and humanity, Wishtree reminds readers of the importance of preserving nature and caring for the earth because the earth cares for us. Having older students read aloud to younger grades is a win-win because they not only receive the benefits of reading aloud, but also give younger students a lasting gift at the same time, and Applegate’s Wishtreeis a superb read-aloud because it’s like an iceberg - simple and small enough on the surface, with short chapters and manageable vocabulary, for students to read aloud to elementary classes, yet complex and deep enough underneath to provoke thoughtful and meaningful class discussions and writing assignments about important and oh-so-relevant topics. Grapple with challenging or thought-provoking issues.Strengthen both cognition and metacognition.

Pay attention to and think about unfamiliar or tricky vocabulary words and phrases.

Think more deeply about plot and character development.

Focus on the content and context of the passage.

Demonstrate, practice, and model intonation and fluent, phrased reading.

Reading aloud is a powerful way to help students build and practice literacy skills – skills that 7th-12th graders need to continue developing and practicing! In addition to the gift of interacting with younger students, reading aloud helps middle and high school students: either for teachers to read aloud to their middle and high school students, or for older students to read aloud to younger grades. Written for students in grades 4-6, Wishtree contains rich context and complex ideas that can and absolutely should be discussed in secondary grades, making this an ideal read-aloud. Wishtreeby Katherine Applegate is just such a book. Once in blue moon a gem of a book comes along that is a perfect package of simplicity, power, beauty, and darn good storytelling.

Wishtree by katherine applegate