The wishing apple tree;

by Jean Bothwell

In the friendly setting of a Nebraska farming community, Miss Bothwell, author of Peter Holt, P.K., has created real people working together--despite misunderstandings--to achieve a richer life.... Summer on the farm was always a happy time for the Dodge children and their cousin Philip Nugent, and this summer would have been no different except for Nora Cameron, the city girl wearing a leg brace, who came to the Nugents' as a summer boarder...

214 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Jean Bothwell was a Nebraskan who spent many years as a Methodist missionary living and teaching history in India. A lover of history, she eventually settled in New York City and wrote over 50 books, many of them about the India she loved, other historical novels, and juvenile mysteries.

Reviews

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story takes place in a Nebraska farming community. I loved the two families who live close to each other and are related. It was fun to be part of their family life. Laurie is the main protagonist and is a 12 yr old girl.

Visitors come to their rural community and a young girl is able to open their eyes about how rundown their chapel has become.

I loved the writing. Some of the vernacular was foreign to me, but must have been part of the place and area. The apples from the Wishing Apple tree are called wishes. I love that!

Unfortunately, this is a hard book to find. I don't see any copies currently available on any of the used book sites. It is also not available on internet archive. If you thrift for books, keep your eyes open for this one.

Here are a few quotes as Nora, who is having to wear a brace on her leg, reveals to the children her opinion of their chapel and what she misses about the one she was attending.

"Your Sundays are just awful," Nora went on. Nothing to do but go to that dingy little chapel of yours. How do you stand it? I can't love God in it. And if you can't love God on Sunday..." The tears came then, and she couldn't go on.

"Do I have to tell you?" Nora seemed surprised enough to stop crying. "You should see the beautiful place they have for the children back east, where Monty and I go every Sunday. We never miss it if we can help it. I never want to see the inside of your Sunday school again. We have carpets on the floor in ours, just like a house. And flowers in vases. Just as good for God as we have at home. And lovely books to read and wonderful singing. Who could sing here? Really sing, I mean, not just open your mouth and yell."

I would love to read more books by Jean Bothwell.