Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Title: Wishtree
Author: Katherine Applegate
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication date: September 26, 2017
Pages: 224
Source/format: Publisher//ARC

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

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 her crow friend Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red's hollows, this "wishtree" watches over the neighborhood.

You might say Red has seen it all. Until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red's experiences as a wishtree are more important than ever.

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Every first of May, people will adorn Red the red oak tree with scraps of paper, bits of fabric and snippets of yarn with dreams, desires and longings. Trees can't tell jokes but they tell stories. They talk to some people but often will converse with nature. Red often chat with Bongo, the best friend who is a crow.

Red is not just any tree but he is a home for many and is important to the community. Samar is a ten-year-old who visits the tree at night when her parents fall asleep. She makes a one wish. Her wish is, "I wish for a friend." Samar has been bullied by others because she is Muslim. A carving on the tree is found telling Samar's family to leave and it upsets Samar. Stephen who lives next door to her becomes a friend over time with the intervention of Red and Bongo. Unfortunately, Red breaks the code of conduct between trees in order to make the friendship happen.

Francesca is the owner of the property of the tree and she is debating where to cut the tree down. After readers find out that Francesca is related to the person who first started the wishing, she changes heart and decides to protect the tree. A diary consists the first wish made by a young female back in 1848. Bongo was able to give the key to Samar in order to unlock the diary. The first wish was the gift of love. Eventually, love prevails!

Katherine Applegate has written a wonderful middle grade novel that delves into many current topics. The Wishtree is a novel that tackles topics such as friendship, environmental protection, diversity, bullying, community and love. It's a lovely book for all ages.

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Title: Crenshaw
Author: Katherine Applegate
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication date: September 22, 2015
Pages: 256
Source/format: e-ARC from Edelweiss

Rating: ☆☆☆☆ 1/2

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com):

In her first novel since winning the Newbery Medal, Katherine Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience.

Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.

Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?

Beloved author Katherine Applegate proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary.

My Thoughts

Life as Jackson is quite tough. His parents aren't making enough money to make ends meet. His dad works random odd jobs here and there but when Dad gets sick, Dad has to cancel his appointments. His mom works multiple jobs. Jackson's dad is very prideful and doesn't want to ask for help because he believes if he asks for help, then he is a failure. Jackson also lives with his sister, Robin, and his dog, Aretha.

Jackson is all about facts and he loves how science is all facts. He wants to be animal scientist when he grows up. What's ironic is that he has an imaginary friend named Crenshaw the cat. Crenshaw often visits Jackson at times he needs Crenshaw the most. Crewnshaw is a human sized cat with white and back fur. He loves bubble baths and he likes the surf. Jackson and Crenshaw bond over purple jelly beans. Jackson learns to enjoy the magic of Crenshaw while he can even though there is no logical explanation of why Crenshaw exists.

"Imaginary friends are like books. We're created, we're enjoyed, we're dog-eared and creased, and then we're tucked away until we're needed again." - ARC of Crenshaw

When parents say things are all right, children often believe their parents until they find out things are not okay and everything is not all right. Since Jackson is a fact lover, he would rather have his parents tell him the truth about what is going on. He doesn't want his parents sugarcoating everything and pretending that everyone is peachy keen. He wants his parents to tell him and his sister about what is going on; he wants the truth.

Katherine Applegate wrote a middle grade book that covers multiple topics such as multiple sclerosis, poverty and homelessness. Applegate has a way of tackling tough issues in a way where the reader can understand wholeheartedly. Most middle grade books I read are usually fantasy. Applegate integrates fantasy into a contemporary novel. She adds some humor to difficult topics. Crenshaw opens the reader's eyes to other types of families besides the perfect family of four living with a dog in a nice house with a white picket fence. Crenshaw is a heartfelt novel for readers of all ages.