YA Fantasy: Child with star on palm - sacred water for a tree

[Marshall]

I think I read this about 10 years ago but can't remember the title.

It was about a tree that had withered and burned and only water from a sacred pool could save it.

No one but this one child, who had the mark of a star on his palm, could lift even a drop of water from this pool.

There was also a culture in the South of the world, I believe, who had dark and burned skin from when they joined the forces of evil long ago so the Gods brought the sun close to them to burn and darken their skin for eternity so everyone would know they had aided the forces of evil.

There was also a "white knight" Paladin or something who appeared in the north after having been dead or missing for a long time, I think.

I'll add more details as I can remember them.

I've been searching for this book for about 5 years now.

[Kris]

A long shot - Togi Tree, The by Bethlene Williams?

Marshall, is this book for teens (young adults) or older adults?

[Marshall]

Kris wrote: "A long shot - Togi Tree, The by Bethlene Williams?

Marshall, is this book for teens (young adults) or older adults?"

I really appreciate your assistance, Kris! This answer added another book to read to my own list, so I thank you for that. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be the book I'm remembering. This is a YA novel that I'm describing.

[Kate]

Marshall ~~
You can "bump" your thread every month or so. This pushes your thread back to the top of the folder instead of languishing here on page 88 from two months ago where fewer eyes will see it. Get back in the game! Bump!
You can do this by typing a new comment at the end of the thread, or even by typing the word "bump."
Good luck!

[Michele]

Marshall, still looking? Was this Christian fiction, by chance?