Wish

Eleven-year-old Charlie Reese moves from Raleigh to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to live with her aunt and uncle. Every day, she makes the same secret wish, continuing a practice she started years ago back home. Charlie struggles to adjust to life in the small mountain town, where everything feels different from her urban life in Raleigh. Her friendship with Howard, a boy from school, and a stray dog named Wishbone becomes central to her new life in the mountains. Through her experiences in the rural community, Charlie confronts truths about family, friendship, and what it means to belong. Her daily wish and her gradual integration into mountain life parallel her journey of personal growth and acceptance. The novel explores themes of resilience and the different shapes a family can take, while capturing the distinct culture and community of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This middle-grade story presents complex emotional terrain through the straightforward perspective of its young protagonist.

Readers connect with the authentic portrayal of 11-year-old Charlie and her emotional journey while living with foster parents in North Carolina. Parents and teachers report the book resonates with children facing family challenges or changes. Readers appreciated: - Charlie's realistic personality growth - The portrayal of small-town Southern life - The incorporation of a stray dog storyline - Clear, accessible writing for ages 9-12 - Themes of friendship and finding belonging Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Predictable plot developments - Some found Charlie's initial attitude off-putting Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 "Perfect for kids struggling with big emotions and changes," notes one teacher reviewer on Goodreads. An Amazon reviewer writes, "The Southern dialect and setting details make the story come alive." Several reviewers mention using the book successfully in 4th-6th grade classrooms for group discussions about empathy and family dynamics.

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🌟 Author Barbara O'Connor grew up in South Carolina and often sets her stories in small Southern towns, drawing from her own childhood experiences. 🍀 The book's practice of making daily wishes at 11:11 reflects a real-world superstition that's popular among many young people. 🐕 The dog in the story, Wishbone, was inspired by the author's own rescue dog who used to crouch down and creep forward just like the character in the book. 🏔️ The novel is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, an area known for its rich folk traditions and close-knit rural communities. 📚 Wish won numerous state book awards, including the Massachusetts Children's Book Award and the South Carolina Children's Book Award.