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Looking up at the night sky always held the allure of possibility for me as a child. The possibility of a secret wish granted simply in exchange for a softly whispered “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight…” rhyme. The magic of it lasted well past my young childhood, and I can’t deny trying it once or twice as an adult either. (You never know.) With these memories in mind, I approached the new middle grade novel The Wish Stealers with a smile on my face.
In Tracy Trivas’ first children’s novel, we encounter a world in which wishes are truly powerful, and it isn’t always a lucky thing. Griffin Penshine (really, the perfect name for this cute character) has a penchant for making wishes, and when she finds herself suddenly in possession of a “lucky penny” given by an old woman at a local shop she hopes for some good luck as her first day of sixth grade is approaching soon. However, when she discovers the package contains eleven shiny pennies that actually represent stolen wishes, her luck quickly turns sour. Her fortune rests upon her ability to reverse the curse placed on her with this “gift,” and she’s got her work cut out for her. Add to that the regular social challenges of middle school, innocent adolescent crushes, and school projects all vying for her attention, as well. In the end, can she reverse her own fortune, possibly even spreading some good luck to others as well?
If I could go back in time, I would bring this book back to my own 9-year-old self, because I’m confident this is the exact kind of story I was drawn to–a spunky and unique main character, a fun writing style, and an imaginative conflict that, of course, gets wrapped up with a bow by the end of the story. My own nine year old son read this book (in a morning!), and came away with a huge smile on his face and a declaration of “that was so cool!”
In conjunction with the release of The Wish Stealers, publisher Simon and Schuster is also working with Pennies for the Planet, “a successful nationwide campaign to help critical conservation projects, powered by kids collecting pennies (and nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollars, too!) to help save wild places and wildlife in the United States. Working in classrooms, clubs, Scout troops, other groups, with their families, and on their own, kids have turned pennies into a gold mine for wild spaces and wild species needing protection,” according to the media release.
Are you wishing for a copy of The Wish Stealers for a young reader you know? Today just may be your lucky day, since we have FIVE copies to giveaway (U.S. only, please). Please leave one comment here to be entered. (Have a little wish to share??) We’ll announce the winner in next week’s column.
The winner of last week’s book, All Things at Once, is #7 Carolyn.
Want to keep up with 5 Minutes for Books? Check out our current book giveaways. Subscribe to our feed. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter.
Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the review copy and giveaway copies.
Written by book blogger Dawn of my thoughts exactly and 5 Minutes for Books
corrie says
my daughter would like this book im sure!
Candie L says
I think my niece would enjoy this. THank you
Sheri says
This sounds like a good book. I would love to win it for my niece.
CherylS22 says
My niece would love this book – please count me in. Thanks!
Betty Curran says
Sounds like a great story. Please enter me.
Heather says
I would love to win!
Lily Kwan says
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
Lance Pearson says
[email protected]
this really does sound like a good book-i think it would be really interesting
Susan Smith says
Sounds like a good book.
kathy pease says
Thank you for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY.. Please count me in 🙂
Jennifer Jozwiak says
My little one would love this book so i hope i win!
Gianna says
Please enter me 🙂
Kerri Renner says
I would love this for my daughters This book is right up their alley
Sheila Hickmon says
I’d love to read this! Thanks for the chance!
oneangel says
This sounds like a great book~ I know a few girl who would love to read it! Heck-I would love to read it..and my wish-I wish that my best friend would just let me know that hes ok. Im pretty worried about him today.
Charlotte says
I’d love to read this one!
Wendy says
Sounds like a great book for my sister’s family.
Randy Bailey says
Love 2 read this w/my granddaughter!
Kristin Harris says
Sounds like a great book. I would love to share it with my sister.
REBECCA says
I have some grandchildren that would enjoy this
Erma says
This sounds like a great book.
Kathleen S. says
My wish is to win this book, thanks for the chance!
Amanda Campbell says
This sounds like such an interesting book.
luckycat1818(at)yahoo(dot)com
mindy says
sounds wonderful thanks for the giveaway
angi says
sounds like the perfect book to share with my little ones
Christina S says
I wish someone would come and pay all my bills off 🙂
heather y says
This sounds like the perfect book for my little sister… thanks for hosting a great giveaway!
click4cash4me(at)gmail(dot)com
Corinne says
I’d love to give it to my daughter!
Beth says
Please enter me for this great book.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Jason Nickolay says
My nephew would love this. Thanks for the chance
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
Kristy says
This book sounds really interesting.
Lex Redding says
This book sounds awesome!
Laura P. says
It sounds like such a great book…I know my niece and her friends would enjoy it.
Rachel G says
This book has a great story line and I know my niece would love it 🙂
Carol M says
I would love to win this for my granddaughters!
Sheri says
This sounds like a great read!
gwendolyn b. says
Oh, yes! I think my 9-y-o nephew would like this, too! He’s just getting into INKHEART and really having fun. I want to encourage him. O.K., I really want to read it, too. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com
Sue says
Looks perfect for my boys.
Thanks for the giveaway.
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
Mama Zen says
This sounds perfect for my niece!
Evelyn says
this sounds very interesting
Michael Capp says
I’d love to win this!
deb c says
The Wish Stealers sounds like a good. My grandaughter would enjoy reading it. I wish I win it for her.
Trina says
Bet my twin nieces would love this one….
angie says
This sounds like a fascinating read.
Staci A says
Sounds like a great book. I would love to share it with my son!
Diane Baum says
I am wishing for a cure for my younger brother’s dementia.
Carolyn says
I wish for sleeping through the night children and this book for my classroom!
Donna C. says
My niece would like this book. Right now, I am wishing we don’t get the foot of snow they are calling for
Ann F says
I’d like to win a copy of The Wish Stealers for my daughter.
Shannon Baas says
It looks like a good book.
Heather Gardner says
YAY! Would love a copy!!
Katy says
I’d love to read this and then give it to my SIL for her 6th grade classroom library! 🙂
Ticia says
I’m intrigued. Imagine if all of our wishes came true what a contradictory world this would be.
Linda Kish says
Sounds great. I want to read it myself.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Kelly Deaton says
Sounds like an awesome read! Something for myself & the kids! Thanks for the chance!
Monica says
I am always looking for something new that would engage my 11 year old son. This sound like a very adventurous book!
Marcella says
This sounds wonderful! Makes me feel young again.
Megan says
I would *love* to get a copy of this book. It looks amazing!!
sharon says
This book sounds very interesting. I’d love to have a chance to win! thanks
stampedwithgrace says
I wish I could win this book for both my 9yo and 6th grader 🙂
Kim says
I have a 10 yo son and an 11 & 12 yo nieces that would all love this one. Not to mention that I would read it too. Thanks!
judy brittle says
My granddaughter would really enjoy this book. She loves to read. Thank you!
katklaw777 says
Love to share this book with a youngster. Thanks for the giveaway.
sue fitz says
Looks like this would be a great book for my nephew who loves to read just like his aunt.
Thanks for offering this book
Peggy Gorman says
I would love to read this childrens book with my granddaughter. I know she would love it!
Thanks
Winning Readings says
I’d love to read this myself! And share it…
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/01/wish-stealers.html
Beth C says
This would be perfect for my granddaughter!
Karen Gibson says
I would love a copy for my grandchildren and for students in my Children’s Lit classes.
Angela says
Sounds like a great book – for my son and for me! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
Benita G . says
Sounds great! Thanks for the possibility.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Marj M. says
I have a 9 yo grandson who would like to read this.
Margaret says
Sounds like a book my 9 yo would love! Thanks for the giveaway!
Vanessa says
Wow, that sounds like such a great story! I’m always looking for new children’s books to check out and this is the next one I will look for!
jMom says
This sounds like a wonderful book for my daughter. Even though she is in first grade we have already dealt with some school & social issues that I remember bumping into in my jr. hi years … thanks for a great review and I will check out the fundraising site as well.
Jessica Harwood says
Looks like a fun book to have in the library! Thanks for the chance!
Anita Yancey says
Sounds really good. Please enter me. Thanks!
Ivy says
I’m intrigued! I have a lot of friends in this age range who love to read (and I’m trying to encourage my toddler to cultivate a love of reading).
Sharon says
My daugther would love this!!!
Gina says
I would love to win a copy of this! (I’ve seen the cover around the blogosphere and have had it on my Wish List ever since…..
Thanks for the chance….and happy reading (a wish for all!).
=0)
edj says
Ooohhh…I wish I may I wish I might win this book! Even though she’s a teensy bit old, I know my 12 year old would love this!
Tara says
The Wish Stealers looks like a perfect book to read with my 10-year-old daughter. I’ve been looking for something that I can read aloud to her in the evenings, in addition to the other reading she does solo. I think my four-year-old would also love listening in!
Hope I win!
Wendy M says
This sounds like a great book. If we could have wishes come true, I know that my son and I would both be wishing for a worship pastor job for my husband. We’ve been looking for 8 months.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net
Demetra A says
Sounds great, thanks for the entry
Tammy says
This sounds like a story that I would have loved at the age of 9 or 10, and I know a 9 year old girl now who is an avid reader.
Pamela says
I’m always searching for a great read for my ten year old. This could be THE ONE!
All Recipes says
Love your blog, Jennifer ! 🙂
Christine Jensen says
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win.
Dena says
Sounds good! I’d love a copy for my daughter and I to read.
Amy from Occupation: Mommy says
Sounds like a great one!
Laura says
That does sound cool, I’d love a copy.
angie says
sounds like a wonderful read myself and few others here would love to read
[email protected]
stacy says
I subscribe via google reader.
debi b says
This sounds like such a wonderful book! I would LOVE it for my kids 🙂
(I’m sure my 9 yr old self would’ve loved it too!)
stacy says
We’d love a copy of this book.