The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer Published by Random House Publishing Group on May 30, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Family Life / General, Fiction / Fantasy / Action & Adventure, Fiction / Women
Pages: 320
Format: Hardcover
Source: Book of the Month
Years ago, a reclusive mega-bestselling children’s author quit writing under mysterious circumstances. Suddenly he resurfaces with a brand-new book and a one-of-a-kind competition, offering a prize that will change the winner’s life in this absorbing and whimsical novel.
“Clever, dark, and hopeful . . . a love letter to reading and the power that childhood stories have over us long after we’ve grown up.”—V. E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Make a wish. . . .
Lucy Hart knows better than anyone what it’s like to grow up without parents who loved her. In a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy found her solace in books, namely the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher’s aide, she is able to share her love of reading with bright, young students, especially seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who was left orphaned after the tragic death of his parents. Lucy would give anything to adopt Christopher, but even the idea of becoming a family seems like an impossible dream without proper funds and stability.
But be careful what you wish for. . . .
Just when Lucy is about to give up, Jack Masterson announces he’s finally written a new book. Even better, he’s holding a contest at his home on the real Clock Island, and Lucy is one of the four lucky contestants chosen to compete to win the one and only copy.
For Lucy, the chance of winning the most sought-after book in the world means everything to her and Christopher. But first she must contend with ruthless book collectors, wily opponents, and the distractingly handsome (and grumpy) Hugo Reese, the illustrator of the Clock Island books. Meanwhile, Jack “the Mastermind” Masterson is plotting the ultimate twist ending that could change all their lives forever.
. . . You might just get it.
My Review
“The only wishes ever granted are the wishes of brave children who keep on wishing even when it seems no one is listening because someone always is…”
This is the story of a young kindergarten teacher’s aide, Lucy Hart. Lucy loves her job in the classroom but she just is not making enough money to get by in life. She lives in an apartment with multiple roommates and does not have a car of her own. Probably you are thinking that does not seem so bad which maybe it isn’t except for Christopher. Christopher is a little boy who attends the school Lucy works at and in fact, he used to be in Lucy’s classroom but has since moved into another grade. The thing about Christopher is he has become an orphan and currently lives in a foster home with a woman who does not love him but takes care of him. Lucy loves Christopher and wants to adopt him but with her current living situation, the state of California will not allow her to become his foster mom let alone his adopted mom. Do you see now Reader why she is not in an ideal situation?
Christopher and Lucy’s relationship really began the day his parents passed away. Lucy took him in for a week until the state was able to find a foster placement for the boy. During their time together, however, Lucy managed to get Christopher talking again by simply picking up a book from her childhood. The book is from one of her favorite series The Clock Island Adventure Series by Jack Masterson. It turns out Christopher falls in love with the series as well which helps to create a lasting bond for the two of them. The problem now is that they are eagerly waiting for the next book in the series to be written and published however it is like the author himself has disappeared from the face of the earth. He hasn’t written anything new in years and has made no mention of doing so in the future.
It isn’t until one day out of the blue that Jack makes an announcement to the world which may change Lucy and Christopher’s life forever. Jack has announced that he has written another book in the Clock Island Adventure Series and there is only one in existence. In his announcement, he mentions a contest that will be held at his home on the island. The winner will receive the newest book in the series to do whatever they wish with it. They can keep it, sell it, or simply have it published either way it will become their book. The invitations do not go out to everyone only a select few from the Mastermind himself. He said that the invitations would only go to some of his courageous readers from long ago. In the announcement, he mentions a riddle and says that the contestants will know they are selected if they are able to answer it correctly.
This my friends is the start of a wonderful story and one I hope you will journey into. The Wishing Game is heartfelt and full of wonderful characters. I absolutely loved the main characters and was very pleased with the way the story ended. It is a story of struggle, found family, love, and forgiveness. This book was just what I needed to read this summer. I found it to be an absolute joy to consume Reader, a feel-good story through and through. If you are looking to escape to an island off the coast of Maine full of kind characters then yes absolutely give this one a go because I do not think you will be disappointed.
Trigger Warnings:
- Parental Death
- Estranged Siblings
- Child Death
- Sibling Death
- Foster Care
- Miscarriage
- Mentions of Alcoholism
- Mentions of Abuse
- Drug Abuse