Best Wishes (Best Wishes #1)

Mlynowski (the Whatever After series) kicks off this first installment of a multi-author series positioned as The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants for middle graders, written as a letter from the book’s narrator to another girl. The magic begins on New York City’s Upper West Side, when Jewish fifth grader Becca receives a mysterious package with no return address; it holds a magical gold and turquoise bracelet with the power to grant one wish. Becca, who has been dumped by her best friend in the lead-up to her 10th birthday, makes the mistake of wishing for “lots and lots of friends.” Things get out of hand after Becca’s popularity takes a gigantic leap, resulting in changing relationships with classmates and even her strict mother. But Becca finds the attention insubstantial, making even her well-attended birthday feel like a bust. Then there’s the matter of the blond stranger who is pursuing Becca, interested in gaining the bracelet’s power for herself. The whimsical premise and attendant lessons may be nothing new, but an empathetic heroine and winningly absurd situations offer over-the-top hilarity. Vee’s b&w cartoon illustrations portray Becca with light skin. Ages 8–12. Agent: Laura Dail, Laura Dail Literary. (Sept.)