The Wish List

Meg Finn dies in a gas explosion after a botched robbery attempt goes wrong. Her soul enters a cosmic limbo between Heaven and Hell, as her lifetime tally of good and bad deeds stands exactly equal. To tip the balance and earn her place in Heaven, Meg must return to Earth as a spirit. Her mission is to help elderly Lowrie McCall complete his bucket list of unfinished business - the same man she attempted to rob on the night of her death. Meg faces obstacles from both divine and infernal forces as she races to fulfill her assignment. Satan dispatches agents to sabotage her efforts, while Meg struggles with her own past choices and the chance for redemption. The novel explores themes of second chances, personal responsibility, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. Through Meg's journey, the story examines how small choices can have profound consequences.

Readers describe The Wish List as a humorous take on the afterlife that appeals to both young readers and adults. The story's Irish setting and dialogue receive frequent mentions in positive reviews. Liked: - Balance of comedy and serious themes - Strong character development of Meg - Fast-paced plot - Clever wordplay and jokes - Engaging moral questions without being preachy Disliked: - Some found it predictable - Religious themes made some parents uncomfortable - Several readers felt the ending was rushed - A few noted it's darker than Colfer's Artemis Fowl series Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (150+ ratings) Common reader comments: "Perfect mix of humor and heart" - Goodreads reviewer "Too dark for younger kids" - Amazon parent review "Not as complex as Artemis Fowl but still enjoyable" - Barnes & Noble review "The Irish slang adds authenticity" - Goodreads reviewer

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer A teen criminal mastermind engages with fairies and magic in a battle of wits between good and evil.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman A boy raised by ghosts in a graveyard straddles the line between the world of the dead and the living.

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy A skeleton detective and his human partner protect their world from supernatural threats while trading quips and battling dark forces.

The Ghost Squad by Sophie Masson Three teens work as ghost hunters for a secret organization that monitors supernatural activity between life and death.

The Dead Boys by Royce Buckingham A new kid in town discovers his neighbors are trapped souls who need his help to break free from a supernatural curse.

🌟 Colfer wrote The Wish List directly after finishing the first Artemis Fowl book, marking a significant shift in tone and theme from his most famous work. 🌟 The book's portrayal of the afterlife draws inspiration from both Catholic theology and Irish folklore, creating a unique blend of traditional and modern supernatural elements. 🌟 Each chapter opens with Meg's exact cosmic balance between good and evil, shown as a percentage, allowing readers to track her spiritual progress throughout the story. 🌟 The novel was partly inspired by Colfer's experiences as a primary school teacher in Ireland, where he encountered many troubled youth struggling with moral choices. 🌟 The book won the Bisto Merit Award (now called the Children's Books Ireland Award) in 2001, cementing its place in contemporary Irish children's literature.