A Thanksgiving Wish

Amanda and her family have always celebrated Thanksgiving with her grandmother, Bubbe: ""Even more than Chanukah or Passover... Thanksgiving had always been Bubbe's special holiday."" Bubbe begins preparing the extravagant meal weeks in advance, and all year long saves wishbones so there are enough for each of the grandchildren. When Bubbe dies, Amanda can't imagine how she'll ever stop missing her. Fortunately, Amanda's mother finds a way to recreate the annual feast in Bubbe's honor--right down to the wishbone. Although the narrative gets off to a strong start, the transition that relates Bubbe's death is jarring (""And so for the first Thanksgiving without Bubbe... ""), and soon thereafter takes on the feel of a memoir with one too many anecdotes. Thompson's (O Jerusalem) paintings are strongest when focused on Amanda and her grandmother; the rest are surprisingly static. Ages 6-up. (Oct.)