Wish in a Tree

I started *Wish in a Tree* expecting another quick fix for a kid “not thriving” in school, but Hunt delivers something far more satisfying: a story that doesn’t just accept Oliver’s intensity—it celebrates it. Ryan’s narration is the secret weapon here; her delivery of Oliver’s rapid-fire questions feels like eavesdropping on a genius kid’s inner monologue, while her gentle lilt for the supporting characters (especially Oliver’s patient grandpa) grounds the chaos in tenderness. That said, I wished for a touch more depth in the adults’ backstories—Grandpa’s wisdom feels a bit tidy, and I craved the messy edges that would mirror Oliver’s own stumbles. The production is seamless, with no awkward cuts or muffled lines, though the brief runtime makes some emotional shifts feel abrupt. Still, by the final chapter, you’re left grinning at Oliver’s moxie and wondering why we ever tried to prune kids like him in the first place. Ryan’s performance turns a good book into a brilliant listen.