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jenmangler's review against another edition
4.0
I needed to read this book today. So, so much. It is a gorgeous story about family and community and the power of friendship. Applegate reduced me to a crying puddle on the floor with one simple word (which I will not reveal, though I'm sure you'll know it when you get to it).
allynf's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
karolina_bookworm's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
trin's review against another edition
4.0
Katherine Applegate marries her usual ardent environmentalism with a topical story about immigration and community. Gosh, I just made this sound so dry. It's not. It's a warm, big-hearted book. As usual, Applegate makes her animal -- and in this case, plant -- characters come alive with aplomb; I especially loved Bongo the crow. To me, the message of this book was somewhat unsubtle, but FOR GOSH SAKE TRIN IT'S A BOOK FOR KIDS. And Applegate doesn't talk down to them. Not to mention, she evokes genuine suspense over Red the tree's ultimate fate. (Readers still scarred by [b:The Giving Tree|370493|The Giving Tree|Shel Silverstein|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1174210942s/370493.jpg|30530] will understand.)
This is gonna be a big hit, and it deserves to be.
This is gonna be a big hit, and it deserves to be.
ddjohns83's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
shannonambroson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
jsanders05's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
allicatca's review against another edition
4.0
At first I thought this story was boring. Then it tug at my heart strings when the girl in the blue house wished she had a friend.
I started to really appreciate the idea of a book from a tree's perspective. Then the book appealed to me most when the tree told a story of her past and how she became the wish tree.
This story is admirable for teaching children to be accepting of all people and cultures. Learning about the habits of city creatures was also worthwhile. I didn't love this book but it's a short read and I liked it a lot.
I started to really appreciate the idea of a book from a tree's perspective. Then the book appealed to me most when the tree told a story of her past and how she became the wish tree.
This story is admirable for teaching children to be accepting of all people and cultures. Learning about the habits of city creatures was also worthwhile. I didn't love this book but it's a short read and I liked it a lot.