The Wish (novel) facts for kids
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| Author | Gail Carson Levine |
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| Cover artist | Patrick Faricy |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
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Publication date
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2000 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, Paperback) |
| Pages | 208 |
| Awards | 2001 IRA/CBC Children's Choice 2002 IRA Young Adult's Choice |
| ISBN | 0064473619 |
The Wish is a fun children's book written in 2000 by Gail Carson Levine. She is a famous author, known for books like Ella Enchanted. This story is about a girl named Wilma. She makes a wish to be the most popular kid at her school, Claverford. But Wilma forgets one big thing: she's graduating in just three weeks! Soon, she will move to a brand new school.
What's the Story About?
Wilma Sturtz is a middle school student. She feels very lonely. Her old friends have moved away. She has tried to make new friends, but it hasn't worked out.
One day, Wilma's luck changes. She is on the subway and sees an old lady. Wilma kindly offers the lady her seat. The old woman is very grateful. She offers to grant Wilma one wish. The wish will come true exactly as Wilma says it. Wilma is surprised and a little flustered. She quickly wishes to be the most popular person at Claverford, her middle school.
The wish comes true! Wilma is amazed. She quickly becomes friends with the popular girls at school. She also starts to become friends with a boy named Jared. But there's a catch. The wish only works for students at Claverford. It does not make her popular with students from other schools. Even worse, the wish will stop working the day she graduates.
Wilma tries to enjoy her wish while it lasts. She also tries to find the old lady again. The wish stops working as soon as Wilma goes home with her new friends. By this time, they have all graduated from Claverford. Wilma tells her "friends" about the wish. She then realizes something important. If she wished to stay friends with them, it would force them to be her friends. Without the wish, they might not have chosen to be her friends.
Wilma tells Jared about her wish and what happened. He tells her that she wasted her wish. He thinks she could have wished for something much better. He even suggests wishing for a pet porpoise!
Wilma finds the old lady again. But the lady does not give her another wish. She explains that Wilma's first wish was already granted. Wilma then sees a kid getting on the bus. She tells the kid to help the old lady. Wilma says, "it will be worth it."
How the Book Was Made
Gail Carson Levine, the author, wanted to write a good story. She had skipped eighth grade herself. This meant she didn't have personal experiences from that year. To make up for this, she talked to many eighth graders. She asked them about school, friends, and relationships. This helped her gather ideas for the book.
