Today's read heads toward the deep thought and heart direction...at least, that's the vibe I"m getting. If I understood things correctly, this centers around three children with three difficult diseases. And they are on a mission to make sure each of them gets their wish from a foundation granted. I'm a bit confused on how they think they can scam a foundation or what exactly their wishes are, but I'm intrigued enough to want to find out. I'm hoping this is an entertaining read and not too serious (that's just a personal thing with me), but it sounds promising.
So, let's open in up and take a look!
WISH YO WELL
by Jamie Sumner
Atheneum Books
Middle Grade Contemporary
288 pages
ages 8 to 12
COMING SEPTEMBER 1st!!!
From the acclaimed author of Roll with It comes a luminous, sharply funny novel about three kids with big diagnoses, bigger personalities, and one outrageous plan to team up and scam a wish-granting foundation.
Violet Marino doesn’t want sympathy. And she definitely doesn’t want friends. She just wants to play soccer and deal with the whole slowly-going-blind thing on her own terms.
Then she witnesses a boy choke on a hot dog at a hospital picnic. Enter dangerously charming and full of terrible ideas, especially for a kid with a newly transplanted heart. Add sharp-as-a-blade Noor, who is always armed with excellent snacks she can’t eat, thanks to chemo. Other than their illnesses, the three don’t have much in common—except for the fact that a wish-granting foundation keeps calling.
Ever the optimist, Wyatt has a team up to game the foundation, even if it means faking friendship. One wish is fine, but three sick kids on three epic adventures? That’s history-making. The scheme starts off as a distraction. But soon the stakes feel real. Because when you finally let someone in, there’s more to lose.
Violet Marino doesn’t want sympathy. And she definitely doesn’t want friends. She just wants to play soccer and deal with the whole slowly-going-blind thing on her own terms.
Then she witnesses a boy choke on a hot dog at a hospital picnic. Enter dangerously charming and full of terrible ideas, especially for a kid with a newly transplanted heart. Add sharp-as-a-blade Noor, who is always armed with excellent snacks she can’t eat, thanks to chemo. Other than their illnesses, the three don’t have much in common—except for the fact that a wish-granting foundation keeps calling.
Ever the optimist, Wyatt has a team up to game the foundation, even if it means faking friendship. One wish is fine, but three sick kids on three epic adventures? That’s history-making. The scheme starts off as a distraction. But soon the stakes feel real. Because when you finally let someone in, there’s more to lose.
MY TIDBITS
When three kids with difficult and deadly diseases meet, expect anything but a pity-party because these three have something bigger planned.
Violet is going blind, which is causing all sorts of problems with her mom, who insists she find friends and attend events with other kids suffering from illnesses. Violet just wishes she could be left alone and play soccer. When a kid, Wyatt, at one of the events chokes and needs to be saved, Violet ends up talking to him and the daughter of the nurse, Noor. Wyatt is a bit too perky and wants to be instant friends, and Violet goes along for the ride to be left alone...which doesn't work because the three start getting closer, but not for friendship reasons.Since Wyatt suffers from a bad heart and Noor is battling cancer, all three of them have been receiving flyers from a wish foundation that won't seem to leave them alone. But Wyatt sees this as a sudden opportunity. They should each make a wish and claim they need their lifelong, best friends with them to make the event perfect...a little lie. That way, each of them receives three fun events. Now, they just have to figure out what they want to do and how to weave this to trick the foundation.
Placed with three main characters with three serious illnesses, this book had me wondering if it was going to hold too heavy of a dark cloud to make it fun, but the author finds a nice balance. All three kids pack personality and none of the three are dwelling in depression. They want to live their lives and take things on as best they can. At the same time, the author doesn't underplay the seriousness of the situations. All three are struggling in their own way, and the tale allows each one growth, discovery, and learning to let others in even if they've built their walls. Not everything is sunshine and roses, but this is a fun adventure with a group who is out to scam a huge foundation. Plus, Wyatt's computer skills add a tiny hint of spy feel to add spice. Also, the three don't get along right away, and the forming friendship despite friction is inspiring and puts a smile on the face.
The tale runs along smoothly and allows the reader to sink right in. There's just enough tension to keep the reader wondering if they can pull off their scam, while subtle humor keeps things light. There is a wonderful dose of mother-daughter discord, which brings across the warmth and love but by no means seamless and, at times, even frustrated relationship between Violet and her mom. As an action girl, this did slow down a bit much for me here and there, but those who enjoy spice for life and heartfilled reads with thought won't have any trouble with those few moments.
It's a read which digs into difficult themes but it doesn't weigh down. Instead, it inspires, strengthens awareness, and leaves a little food for thought.
And here she is...
Jamie Sumner is the author of the Roll with It trilogy, Tune It Out, One Kid’s Trash, The Summer of June, Maid for It, Deep Water, Please Pay Attention, Schooled, Glory Be, and Wish You Well. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other publications. She loves stories that celebrate the grit and beauty in all kids. She is also the mother of a son with cerebral palsy and has written extensively about parenting a child with special needs. She and her family live in Nashville, Tennessee. Visit her at Jamie-Sumner.com.
