From the Publisher
Eleven-year-old Mira wishes everything could go back to the way it was. Before she changed schools and had to quit gymnastics. Especially before Papa died. Now she spends her days cooking and cleaning for her stepsisters and Val—who she still won’t call mom and still won’t forgive for the terrible thing she did.
When a mysterious girl named Lyndame appears out of the woods wielding a powerful wand, she makes Mira an offer she can’t refuse: she will grant Mira three wishes.
What if magic isn’t just pretend after all? What if these wishes could fix everything? But in the quiet town of Between, Georgia, where secrets lurk and rumors swirl of strange creatures, nothing is as it seems, and everything comes at a price.
When you’re in a critique group and one of your partners’ books comes out, it is time to celebrate! Landra Jennings and I were in a critique group together when I lived in Greenville, SC. I am happy to share her second fantasy middle-grade novel, Wand (Clarion Books: 2023).
Review
Who can resist opening lines like the following:
Something watched from the kitchen window. Mira noticed it peering in as she gathered the ingredients for the pancakes. (p.1)
Immediately, the reader knows that something unusual is happening on an otherwise normal day. Mira was being watched by a THING.
From that intriguing opening, the reader is immersed in a world that is simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary. The “ordinary”: Mira is an eleven-year-old loaded with huge responsiblities to care for her step-sisters, a disfunctional relationship with her step-mother, and feels alone and misunderstood.
The “extraordinary”: a huge golden bird who suddenly appears one day, the town’s Glass Pond that randomly vomits up strange characters, and Lyndame- a strange looking girl who promises to be the answer to all of Mira’s problems.
The reader empathizes with Mira when the three wishes she asks for backfire. Suddenly, the thing she has yearned for (such as a normal family) doesn’t seem so great anymore. The reader will want to cry out when Mira turns her back on her younger step-sisters who obviously love her. And they will feel anguish when Mira makes choices and decisions that are dangerous.
Following Greg Pattridge’s great example when he reviews books, here are somethings I particularly liked about Wand.
- How the author weaves in Mira’s backstory and why she distrusts Val.
- The mystery of the magical world underneath the Glass Pond.
- How Val and her step-sisters follow her into the magical world in order to bring her home.
- I was impressed with the world-building of the magical world beneath the Glass Pond.
- How Mira realizes that she is looking for a place where she is loved.
- When Mira throws away the magic and faces her grief over losing her father.
- When she gets ready to return to Between, Georgia she realizes, “Life wasn’t exactly as Mira had wanted it to be, she thought as she followed. But maybe everything would be all right.”
Mira is a character who learns and grows. Although she faces her fears, anger, and grief in unusual ways, at the end, she has learned to love the people who love her. The more people you love, the bigger your heart gets. (p. 206)
Giveaway
This is a book that girls between 9 and 11 will enjoy. I am giving away my gently read copy to someone who promises to read it and pass it along to a student or young person in their life. Enter soon! The giveaway ends 8 AM on July 17.
Look for more great middle-grade books on Monday. Greg Pattridge will share many from his team of bloggers!
This sounds fabulous! Who wouldn’t want to be offered 3 wishes. I think even my reluctant 12 y.o. reader would read this one!
Your name starts the list, Lindsey! Thanks for commenting.
I always enjoy to read reviews that let me know the world building is wonderful and will make me believe the events are possible. This sounds like an emotional read. Thank you for the review and chance to win a copy to read and pass along.
Thanks, Danielle. Your name is on the list!
I would LOVE to share this with my former student, local librarian here in Northport Schools. What a joy!
Thank you, Linda. I’ll add your name to the giveaway list and thanks for following my blog!
I read and reviewed this book last November so no need to enter me in the drawing. My copy has been passed around quite a bit with young readers. Besides Mira the supporting cast of characters were quite good. I’ve had fun asking kids to write what they would do with three wishes. Most said they’d use them to help others in some way- a heartwarming and hopeful response from these future adults.
What a great activity to do with your students, Greg–and what a wonderful response! I’ll make sure Landra sees your comment.
This sounds a heart-felt and heart-warming story, and I love that it’s told in such a magical way. SOunds really good! Thanks for the recommendation!
You’re welcome and thanks for commenting, Valinora!
This sounds like a fantastic story I’d like, but I need to pass on the giveaway. I’m kind of buried in books and life in general right now. I’ll let someone win who has time to read it.
I understand, Natalie! Thanks for your comment.
I love the cover and this sounds like a fascinating book. Sounds like the main character has a lot to learn in this story- as is often the cases when it comes to wishes. There’s so much more to them than we think! I’d love to read it and then pass it on to a student at my school. :)
I do love fairy tale retellings. This sounds like a great one. Thanks for telling me about it. I will pass on the giveaway. I’m buried in books right now.
I understand being buried in books! Thanks for commenting, Rosi.
This sounds like a lovely book. I love that you’re supporting a friend’s writing success, too. Thanks for sharing this. :)
This one sounds great, Carol! And how awesome that it was written by your friend. Like Rosi, I’m buried in books, but I just can’t resist a good fantasy. I don;t care that the giveway has passed. I’ve just borrowed it from the library. :)
Thanks, Linda! Glad you decided to read it!