Saturday, July 22, 2023

Best Wishes by Sarah Mlynowski - ESSENTIAL

Best Wishes (Best Wishes #1) 
by Sarah Mlynowski
. 171 pages. Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 2022. $16. 

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

5th grader Becca is looking forward to her upcoming birthday. She and her best friend Harper will be doing what they have done every year - tie dye, a story game and a sleep over. But, the Monday before her birthday, Harper "breaks up" with Becca - she has a new friend, Georgette, and they are becoming besties. Becca is devastated. Her day goes from bad to worse, and before it ends, her mom had taken her home from school, her face covered in anxiety triggered hives. But a special package is in their mail, a box addressed to Becca containing a special wishing bracelet (and containing a warning to take care and beware of the wish she makes). Becca wishes that everyone was her friend. 

I couldn't help but reminisce about the Mrs Piggle-Wiggle books and the trouble which ensues when a child gets their wish. AJ and I read Best Wishes together, and it was the perfect bedtime book. We had some nice discussions about friendship, what makes a good friend, and why you want real friends, not ones compelled by magic. The birthday party with absolutely everyone showing up was terrific. I see there's a book 2 cowritten by Mlynowski and Debbie Rigaud, we are looking forward to reading it. Becca and her family are Jewish 

Lisa Librarian and AJ (age 7) 

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