Summary

Katherine Applegate dedicates the book “for newcomers and for welcomers.” She opens with a poem by Mary Carolyn Davies, “Be Different to Trees.” It describes the wisdom of trees, which can only be heard by those who listen closely and pay attention.

The narrator explains that although trees do not talk to people, they speak to animals, insects, and trees that they trust. People are all untrustworthy because even if they say they love a tree, they will still turn it into furniture and other products. Most trees like to keep to themselves, but they can tell stories if they want. The narrator introduces itself as Red, a large oak tree near an elementary school. Red oaks are very common, but Red is proud of its shape and colour. Red reveals that tree naming is quite rigid: all red oaks are called Red...