Wish

By: Barbara O'Connor

Narrated by: Suzy Jackson

Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

Eleven-year-old Charlie Reese has been making the same secret wish every day since fourth grade. She even has a list of all the ways there are to make the wish, such as cutting off the pointed end of a slice of pie and wishing on it as she takes the last bite.

But when she is sent to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to live with family she barely knows, it seems unlikely that her wish will ever come true.

That is until she meets Wishbone, a skinny stray dog who captures her heart, and Howard, a neighbor boy who proves surprising in lots of ways. Suddenly Charlie is in serious danger of discovering that what she thought she wanted may not be what she needs at all.

From award-winning author Barbara O'Connor comes a middle-grade novel about a girl who, with the help of a true-blue friend, a big-hearted aunt and uncle, and the dog of her dreams, unexpectedly learns the true meaning of family in the least likely of places.

©2016 Barbara O'Connor (P)2016 Recorded Books

Wishing Children Everywhere Grow Up WIth These Books

I liked everything about this story but most importantly, I love the themes that it advances from start to finish. Our children need to continually experience and witness true friendship, softheartedness, tenderness, leadership, strength, and courage in their youth. Howard is the perfect friend for Charly and visa-versa. Together, Howard’s strength rubs off on Charly. Bertha also shows Charly what it means to be an adult, without all the immature, selfish decisions and behaviors she is accustomed to from her biological parents. Jacqui contributes to Charley’s growth because she witnessed all the bad parenting that went on and was smart enough to appreciate all the limited good in the world; a vision that Charly admires and aspires to.

Highly recommend this book for children but for adults too. I screen the books we give to our children. This one is right on that top shelf next to Fish In A Tree, which is absolutely outstanding.

Sheesh

Ya could've warned a guy. I'm sitting here balling my eyes out driving down the road. I got people flicking me off and here I am feeling all gooey from this warm hearted story. Lol I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you.

Magical

This is a wonderful story from a child's perspective, but what really makes it a winner is the narration by Susie Jackson, which is pitch perfect!

Beautiful, feel good story. Such a relatable tale of a girl and her troubles, and how she deals during prime adolescence.

I would recommend to students of upper grades and middle school. 4-8. The writing provides many opportunities for envisioning as well as text connections.

Flawless

Beautifully told story of coming to terms with the life you have. The writing is a revelation, masterful and moving yet totally accessible for kids. Wow. Love this book and this artist’s work!

beautiful in every single way!!!!

this book has got to be one of the best I've read in awhile. it is beautiful and sweet to it's core.

A lovely story with many relevant topics woven in

I can't wait to share this with my 3rd grade class! I previewed this with my 7th grade daughter and she loved it as well.

Beautiful heartfelt Story

I listened to this book with my 7 year old daughter and we both loved it!
Loved how Charlie overcame all of her issues, just comes to show how important communication is.

Lovely story

This is a tender, gently paced story about the power of love. Memorable characters. The reader did a beautiful job...just right. This and Leslie Connors's All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Smith make a wonderful pair. Don't miss either one!

so fun

I love it. That is so peaceful that makes me almost cry. I wish I have friends like Howard.