Welcome to Day 4 of the 4th Annual March Middle Grade Madness! Today we are celebrating Wish Girl
by Nikki Loftin...
Wish Girl
by Nikki Loftin
2/24/15
Razorbill
A dying girl gives a boy the strength to live in this lyrical novel that will break your heart and lift your spirit
Peter Stone’s parents and siblings are extroverts, musicians, and yellers—and the louder they get, the less Peter talks, or even moves, until he practically fits his last name. When his family moves to the Texas Hill Country, though, Peter finds a tranquil, natural valley where he can, at last, hear himself think.
There, he meets a girl his age: Annie Blythe. Annie tells Peter she’s a “wish girl.” But Annie isn’t just any wish girl; she’s a “Make-A-Wish Girl.” And in two weeks she will begin a dangerous treatment to try and stop her cancer from spreading. Left alone, the disease will kill her. But the treatment may cause serious, lasting damage to her brain.
Annie and Peter hatch a plan to escape into the valley, which they begin to think is magical. But the pair soon discovers that the valley—and life—may have other plans for them. And sometimes wishes come true in ways they would never expect.
goodreads / amazon / b&n / indiebound
Praise for Wish Girl
“A moving, mesmerizing story of wishing, listening and hope for discerning readers.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Wish Girl is a book that knows real magic exists—that art, nature, and true friendship have the power to save lives and transform the world. It’s at once earthly and ethereal, heartbreaking and hopeful. It dazzles.” –Laurel Snyder, author of Bigger than a Breadbox
“I found hope and magic tucked gently into every page of Wish Girl. I wish every reader could have a friend like Annie.” –Natalie Lloyd, author of A Snicker of Magic
“Wish Girl is a book full of beauty and truth. Its pages are filled with the emotion of first love and the energy of suspense.” –Francisco X. Stork, author of Marcelo in the Real World
Peter Stone is a quiet, serious boy, who doesn’t feel like he fits in with his loud, extroverted family. The Stones have recently moved to the country, mostly because of Peter. Yet, his family’s concern for him doesn’t make them listen any better and their attempts at “helping” are anything but helpful. Near his new home, Peter finds a wonderful valley that just may be magical. It’s in this valley he meets Annie Blythe, the “wish girl”. Dying of cancer, Annie is a Make-A-Wish girl, attending an art camp near Peter’s house. Full of life and a brilliant artist, Annie doesn’t want the cancer treatment that could have permanent, life altering side-effects. So Peter and Annie hatch a plan to run away into the valley, but the magic of the valley has other plans for them.
Wish Girl is an utterly beautiful story about friendship, family, love, life, and death, and Nikki Loftin has filled the pages within Wish Girl with true literary magic! Loftin’s effective storytelling and lyrical writing are pure perfection in this book. Every word has purpose, every emotion is palpable, every character feels real. This isn’t some sweet and simple story either. Loftin doesn’t shy away from intense emotions and topics (death, depression, suicide, abuse, and more), but bravely explores them with eloquence and in age appropriate ways. And every emotion- from riveting heartache, sunny friendship, painful loneliness, startling fear, and stunning love- is so deeply felt.
Peter and Annie’s might-be-magical valley is lushly crafted and full of so much beauty, surprises, and captivating things. I wanted to so badly to get lost in this wild, yet peaceful world with them. And both Peter and Annie possess their own kinds of magic! I fell so in love with insightful, endearing Peter and infectiously charming Annie. Their friendship is simply breathtaking. These are characters that readers will want to hold in their hearts forever...I know Peter and Annie have a permanent place in mine!
My Final Thought: Full of laughs, dazzling writing, spectacular characters, and an unforgettable story, Wish Girl will break your heart, stitch it back together, and make your soul sing!
MY RATING
5/5 yummy cupcakes
Nikki Loftin lives with her Scottish photographer husband just outside Austin, Texas, surrounded by dogs, chickens, goats, and rambunctious boys. She is the author of the multiply starred-reviewed Nightingale’s Nest and The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy, which Publisher’s Weekly called “mesmerizing” and Kirkus called “irresistible.” Her next novel, Wish Girl, will be published on February 24, 2015.
Win a signed first edition hardcover
copy of Wish Girl!
Nikki has generously offered a signed copy for one winner.
DETAILS
-open to North America only
-ends 3/31
-must be 13+ to enter
-winner will be emailed and must claim prize within 48 hours
-Word Spelunking is not responsible for lost, damaged, stolen prizes
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I really want to read Wish Girl and so does my daughter.Sounds like a beautiful story!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an amazing read! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so emotional. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI met Nikki at Encyclomedia this fall. She's as enthusiastic and mesmerizing as her books. Can't wait to read "Wish Girl."
ReplyDeleteWish Girl sounds like such a great read! Even though it sounds like it could be (really) sad, I'm curious to see how things play out in it.
ReplyDelete