The Wishmakers

Twelve-year-old Ace Harlem discovers he can make wishes by cooking and eating magical ingredients. After joining a secret society of Wishmakers, he learns that each wish comes with a consequence called a Curse that affects him personally. Ace teams up with a fellow Wishmaker named Tina to complete missions and stop evil forces from misusing wish magic. Together they experiment with recipes while trying to minimize the impact of increasingly challenging Curses. The training, friendships, and adventures that follow test Ace's determination as he balances his new powers against mounting personal costs. His choices carry weight for both himself and others as he navigates the complexities of wish magic. This middle-grade fantasy explores themes of sacrifice, responsibility, and the true price of getting what you want. The story prompts reflection on how personal choices affect the wider world.

Readers describe The Wishmakers as a fast-paced middle-grade adventure with creative wish mechanics and rules. Parents note it works well as a family read-aloud. Readers highlight: - Complex system of wish-granting with clear consequences - Humorous interactions between characters - Strong friendship themes - Unique take on genie stories Common criticisms: - Plot becomes confusing with multiple wish complications - Some found the rules overly complex - Secondary characters need more development Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (300+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (50+ reviews) From reader reviews: "The rules for wishes add real stakes to every decision" - Goodreads reviewer "My 10-year-old couldn't put it down" - Amazon parent "Too many wish rules to keep track of" - School Library Journal reader The book particularly appeals to ages 8-12 who enjoy fantasy adventures with detailed magic systems.

The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson A young girl discovers her destiny as the guardian of a magical house that helps guide spirits to the afterlife, mixing folklore with coming-of-age themes.

Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi A color-less girl embarks on a quest through a world of magic to find her missing father and unlock her own powers.

The Uncommoners: The Crooked Sixpence by Jennifer Bell Two siblings uncover a hidden world beneath London where ordinary objects possess extraordinary magical properties.

The Familiars by Adam Jay Epstein, Andrew Jacobson A street-smart alley cat becomes a wizard's familiar and must save the magical world from dark forces.

The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop by Kate Saunders Twins inherit a chocolate shop that holds magical secrets and must protect its enchanted recipes from those who seek to use them for evil.

🌟 Author Tyler Whitesides worked as a janitor in an elementary school, which inspired his first series "Janitors" 🧞‍♂️ The book features a unique take on wish-granting where wishes must be paid for with chores and household tasks 📚 "The Wishmakers" was published in 2018 by HarperCollins and is the first book in a middle-grade fantasy series 🏠 The main character, Ace Harlem, discovers the magical world of wishmaking while trying to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches 🔮 The story puts a creative spin on the genie trope by replacing traditional magic lamps with jars of peanut butter