A "Wish" a Day . . .

I am so excited about this book for many reasons.  I picked this book up at the school bookfair after parent-teacher conferences with my girls.  

I was told by my middle daughter, Audrey, (the one who reads the same graphic novels OVER and OVER again) that she was reading "too fast"  and often "rushing" through her reading, which in turn, is affecting her comprehension.  I knew it was time to stop having her read independently before bed and pick up a new and exciting book to read together.  

Wish by Barbara O’Connor is about a ten-year-old girl, Charlemagne (Charlie) Reese, who has been sent to the hillbilly town of Colby, North Carolina, to live with an aunt and uncle she hardly knows.   Charlie makes at least one wish a day. She wishes on stars and falling acorns and certain types of birds. She cuts off the tip of a piece of pie to eat last, believing it is good luck, the list goes on.  

What I LOVE most about this book (outside of Charlie's spunky, hot-tempered personality) is how the book shares viewpoints.  We call this critical literacy.  As a parent and teacher, we can use the book to discuss the stereotypes we are exposed to in the book and look at our personal biases and viewpoints compared to the character's and the author's intent.  Sounds deep, but hear me out.  

For example, Charlie is befriended by Howard who she calls the "up-down" boy because he walks with a limp.  Howard is a kind-hearted boy who has 7 brothers and lives in the smallest house Charlie has ever seen. His front yard is littered with rubbish and on Charlie's first visit inside his home, she finds the house, despite the piles of junk and dirt everywhere, filled with love.  Love from the mother who hangs up all the kids' proud school papers on the wall--love when the mother kisses each boys' head while serving dinner--and love through the minute-by-minute laughter and smiles shared.  

Charlie isn't familiar with this love as her mother has severe depression.  Her mother is bedridden and didn't care if Charlie went to school or stayed on the couch all day watching TV.  Charlie's father, Scrappy, is in jail.  Although I haven't yet read about Charlie's daily wish, I'm guessing it is to bring her torn apart family back together.  

So far we are looking and generational poverty, depression, bullies, incarcerated parents, and disabilities through the eyes of a child.    What a fantastic book to read critically with children and building deep discussion!  

I encourage you to add this book to your "Want to Read" list!