Reading Metrics
Description
In Ant's seaside village, wishes have a way of coming true. When she's tormented by Rosie, the school bully, Ant impulsively wishes that Rosie would pick on someone else instead the new girl, Clarissa. But when her wish actually works, Ant must figure out how to undo the harm she's caused while also solving the mystery behind the glowing necklace she discovers and its connection to the legendary Wishcatchers. This middle-grade story blends the challenges of friendship and bullying with a dash of village legend and magical consequence.
Quick Summary
If you've ever muttered "I wish that bully would leave me alone" and then wondered what would actually happen, this book gets into that exact feeling. Ant's life at school is rough when Rosie the bully zeroes in on her, so when a magical wish comes along, she jumps at the chance to pass the problem to someone else only to discover that the new girl she wished it onto isn't so bad after all. The story balances the familiar middle school stress of navigating cliques and dealing with mean girls with a light magical twist that keeps things fun rather than preachy. Kids who enjoy stories about friendship, standing up for others, or who just like a good "what if" scenario will find plenty to like here. Parents can feel good about the underlying message that kindness and taking responsibility matter more than getting rid of your problems and the fact that it reads quickly makes it perfect for reluctant readers. Fans of books like "Wonder" will likely appreciate this one.