what is the problem?

Katherine Applegate’s novel Wishtree is told from the perspective of a centuries-old oak tree named Red. When a young Muslim girl named Samar and her family move into a house on Red’s street, Red watches in dismay as several members of the human community quickly come to view Samar's family with fear and hatred, feelings that appear to be fueled solely by Islamophobic beliefs.

Red tells the reader that though some things stay the same, many get better. Samar’s family does stay, and Samar and Stephen become good friends even if their parents never speak. Francesca takes care of Red and Red watches over the animals, who fight but find ways to live together. Red urges the readers to listen closely for the stories all around them.