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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
I picked this book up at DI since it was by the author of Ella Enchanted. It was a fun, quick read. Oh the horrible memories of 8th grade. Levine wrote a very realistic story about a girl in middle school wanting to be popular. I would recommend this book to tweens. (Oct 2010)
* Started reading to Jane - but after 50 pages we aren't very interested. Another book we are giving up. (Sep/Oct 2021) *
* Started reading to Jane - but after 50 pages we aren't very interested. Another book we are giving up. (Sep/Oct 2021) *
Category: AUTHOR
I've got to say, this is probably my least favorite book of Gail Carson Levine's. Comparing this book to her other works, it's a classic, "Which of these things is not like the others?" scenario. "The Wish" is set in contemporary New York but has a little magic mixed in. Wilma Sturtz (yes, that's really her name!) is a very unpopular 8th grader who gives her seat to an old lady on the subway train who turns out to be a wish-granting fairy godmother. Wilma wishes to be the most popular girl at her middle school-- but the problem is, once graduation rolls around (two weeks later), her popularity ends. Over this time, Wilma gets a boyfriend and lots of popular friends... some last past the spell of popularity, but some don't. I had a really hard time believing the voice in this, the protagonist wasn't really likable and she was super awkward. I didn't like the relationship and thought it was weird and the interactions didn't seem believable.
I've got to say, this is probably my least favorite book of Gail Carson Levine's. Comparing this book to her other works, it's a classic, "Which of these things is not like the others?" scenario. "The Wish" is set in contemporary New York but has a little magic mixed in. Wilma Sturtz (yes, that's really her name!) is a very unpopular 8th grader who gives her seat to an old lady on the subway train who turns out to be a wish-granting fairy godmother. Wilma wishes to be the most popular girl at her middle school-- but the problem is, once graduation rolls around (two weeks later), her popularity ends. Over this time, Wilma gets a boyfriend and lots of popular friends... some last past the spell of popularity, but some don't. I had a really hard time believing the voice in this, the protagonist wasn't really likable and she was super awkward. I didn't like the relationship and thought it was weird and the interactions didn't seem believable.
Ever since her Language Arts teacher read her journal to her class, Wilma has become worse than simply unnoticed. Everyone makes fun of her and she is shunned even by the other outsiders. One day, Wilma does something nice for an old woman, who in turn grants Wilma one wish. Even though she thinks the old woman is crazy, she makes a wish--to be the most popular kid at school. Suddenly, Wilma has more friends than she knows what to do with. But there's a catch...
The Wish is a cute story, perfect for younger readers. The message is good for middle school students looking for a place to fit--those who are worthy of your love and friendship will appreciate you for who you are, not for who you pretend to be.
The Wish is a cute story, perfect for younger readers. The message is good for middle school students looking for a place to fit--those who are worthy of your love and friendship will appreciate you for who you are, not for who you pretend to be.
This was not Levine's strongest piece. Her better work takes place in her fantasy world. It was an interesting (though however aggrivating) plotline.
I remember reading this in 4th grade, and i remembered the moral was that not all wishes are as great as they seem
I've been waiting to read this...only, im not sure where i exactly put it...
A quick read. Read it all in an afternoon. Not my favorite Levine book. Cute in a, we all wish we could have been popular in middle school, way. But I kind of wish that there had been more, I guess. More of what? I am not quite sure. It just sort of felt like it had potential to be really great but just didn't quite make it. Not a bad book in its own right. Not at all. Just not a great book either.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Yikes.
I have now started working through my to do list to clear the book on the list that I put on the longest ago, at this point 2012 of which this is one. My tastes and experiences with middle grades and young adult books as definitely changed.
The entire book sets up the opportunity for Wilma, the protagonist, to learn what she truly wants and needs through a wish granted after a good deed. Unfortunately, Wilma, even with presented with an incredible number of opportunities to change as well as the ramifications of her wish for popularity, doesn't change at all. Even when the wish ends and she no longer has the popularity that she begged for, she still craves the approval of those people. Additionally, the secondary characters who instantly fall in love with her after the granting of the wish, still act ridiculous towards her when the wish ends.
Completely unsatisfying book.
I have now started working through my to do list to clear the book on the list that I put on the longest ago, at this point 2012 of which this is one. My tastes and experiences with middle grades and young adult books as definitely changed.
The entire book sets up the opportunity for Wilma, the protagonist, to learn what she truly wants and needs through a wish granted after a good deed. Unfortunately, Wilma, even with presented with an incredible number of opportunities to change as well as the ramifications of her wish for popularity, doesn't change at all. Even when the wish ends and she no longer has the popularity that she begged for, she still craves the approval of those people. Additionally, the secondary characters who instantly fall in love with her after the granting of the wish, still act ridiculous towards her when the wish ends.
Completely unsatisfying book.