Editorial Content for Wish

“With a little luck you can get what you wish for,” is written on the front cover of Barbara O’Connor’s latest book, WISH. As readers travel through this hopeful story, they will watch as Charlie Reese makes wishes every day in every way she knows how. Charlie --- whose full name, which only her mother uses, is Charlemagne --- goes out of her way to look for four leaf clovers, waits for 11:11, cracks wishbones and partakes in any other superstition that she heard earns a person a wish. She never tells anyone what she is wishing for and only trusts her new friend, Howard, with the fact that she makes as many wishes as possible and wishes the same wish each time.

Any child sent away from home like Charlie has been would be looking for luck. Since her father, Scrappy, was sent away to a correctional facility, leaving her mother to do nothing but lay in the dark all day long, Charlie has lived with her Aunt Bertha and Uncle Gus. She was sent there without her older sister, Jackie, who is about to graduate from high school and able to stay with a friend in their hometown of Raleigh. Charlie is unimpressed with her aunt and uncle’s mountainside town, Colby, where she has to dress for Sunday school every week and attempt to get along with all the strange small town kids at school.

"O’Connor...will not disappoint young readers who are looking for the next BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE.  This book is sure to please readers who are fans of dog books as well as children who can sympathize with Charlie’s situation...."

Further difficulties include the temper and fighting instincts she has inherited from her parents and it is only with the patience and understanding of the people surrounding her in Colby that Charlie begins to fit in at all. Things really start to turn around for Colby when she sees a stray dog around town and decides it is her job to catch him and give him a home. She and the dog have an understanding and relatable relationship. The dog eventually becomes her special pet which she names Wishbone and who brings out a softer, more loving side to Charlie.

The only letdown in this book is the dog’s name, Wishbone, as older readers (such as parents who read this book with their children) may remember PBS’s popular television show of the same name, which featured a dog who loved to read and re-enact classic stories. While it is unknown how O’Connor settled on this name for her dog character and whether or not she herself was familiar with the television show it can be distracting for those who do know it. While it is clear that she wanted to stick with a name that went along with Charlie’s wishing theme, one may wonder if another name for the dog would have been a better choice.

Otherwise, this heartwarming story is not to be missed and would be a good and traditional nomination for the Newbery Award. Charlie’s emotions are realistic and understandable as she struggles to belong somewhere. She is one tough and strong 9-year-old who also expresses jealousy towards many of her peers and the desire to have the things many kids take for granted. Many scenes in this book will make the reader want to cry, but they all lead up to happier moments as Charlie has realizations about the things for which she can be grateful.

O’Connor --- author of HOW TO STEAL A DOG, FAME AND GLORY IN FREEDOM GEORGIA who is best known for her Fancy Nancy series --- will not disappoint young readers who are looking for the next BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE.  This book is sure to please readers who are fans of dog books as well as children who can sympathize with Charlie’s situation and her yearning for a wish to come true. Whether or not her wish is granted and what it is, as well as any wishes her friend Howard made will all be revealed at the end of the story.