Tuesday, June 7, 2016

New Book Alert: The Seventh Wish by Kate Messner


Today (June 7th, appropriately) is the debut Kate Messner's newest middle grade novel, The Seventh Wish! I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book at NCTE and to finally be able to share with you about it.

12-year-old Charlie feels overshadowed by all of the changes around her, especially her older sister's departure for college. She would rather focus on own wants and needs, like her chance to finally earn her solo dress in Irish dancing. But when a wish-granting fish comes into the picture, Charlie's read enough stories to know that she needs to think through her wishes carefully. But, despite her best intentions, wishes are not always what they seem.

* Spoilers below *


Midway through, the story takes an important turn, revealing that Charlie's older sister has become addicted to heroin. Presented in a way that is appropriate for late-elementary readers, the book delves into some of the effects and consequences of her sister's addiction on each of the members of the family as well as the not-always-a-straight-line journey towards addiction recovery.

This is an important book. Well-written, engaging, and even humorous at times, The Seventh Wish deals with this unfortunately-relevant issue in a sensitive way. Readers will gain a better understanding and empathy for those suffering addiction as well as the toll it takes on families. I highly recommend this book.

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