Meg Shaffer

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Years ago, a reclusive mega-bestselling children’s author quit writing under mysterious circumstances. Suddenly he resurfaces with a brand-new book and a one-of-a-kind competition, offering a prize that will change the winner’s life in this absorbing and whimsical novel. “Clever, dark, and hopeful . . . a love letter to reading and the power that childhood stories have over us long after we’ve grown up.”—V. E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Washington Post, She Reads, Bookreporter Make a wish. . . . Lucy Hart knows better than anyone what it’s like to grow up without parents who loved her. In a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy found her solace in books, namely the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher’s aide, she is able to share her love of reading with bright, young students, especially seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who was left orphaned after the tragic death of his parents. Lucy would give anything to adopt Christopher, but even the idea of becoming a family seems like an impossible dream without proper funds and stability. But be careful what you wish for. . . . Just when Lucy is about to give up, Jack Masterson announces he’s finally written a new book. Even better, he’s holding a contest at his home on the real Clock Island, and Lucy is one of the four lucky contestants chosen to compete to win the one and only copy. For Lucy, the chance of winning the most sought-after book in the world means everything to her and Christopher. But first she must contend with ruthless book collectors, wily opponents, and the distractingly handsome (and grumpy) Hugo Reese, the illustrator of the Clock Island books. Meanwhile, Jack “the Mastermind” Masterson is plotting the ultimate twist ending that could change all their lives forever. . . . You might just get it.

A Novel

The Wishing Game

Rebecca Briesemeister

Lucy Hart, you are going to be fine. You are going to be even better than fine. You are going to be loved like you deserve to be loved. And you are going to bave a very magical life (if you want it; feel free to say no, as magic always comes with a price). Don't give up, Lucy. Always remember that the only wishes ever granted are the wishes of brave children who keep on wishing even when it seems no one is listening because someone always is. Someone like me. Keep wishing. I'm listening. 

He screamed. She screamed. When you gotta scream, you gotta scream.

"Oh, hes Albus Dumbledore, Willy Wonka, and Jesus Christ all rolled into one." If Dumbledore, Wonka, and Christ had depression and drank too much.

"Pacient?" She shook her head, laughed biterly."Since I was a litle girl, you've been promising Id be all right when 1 grew up. I am not all right. And now you bring us here to play this game for what? Because you think we're like kids in your stories who'll do anything you tell us to do? Even Clock Island is fake. Therere no storms in the bottles, and the train tracks go nowhere. Nowbere. Christopher is real, though. He mat- ters to me a billion times nore than any book, any game. And I'm not going to tell him that he has to wait until he grows up to be happy. He's going to be happy now, even if it kills me to make him happy" 

"Ive always believed that children should never have to worry about adults, that something's gone very wrong when they do"

"Why do only brave kids get their wishes granted?" she asked. "Because only brave children know that wishing is never enough. Yo have to try to make your own wishes come true.”

Angel 🖤

‘The only wishes ever granted—’” “‘— are the wishes of brave children who keep on wishing even when it seems no one’s listening because someone somewhere always is,’

He gave her that smile again, the smile that made the sun shine a little brighter.

Sarah

Four kids came here because they read a book that inspired them to be brave enough to ask for help. There is nothing braver than a child asking for help And bravery like that deserves rewarding

"That must have been hard. You should be proud of yourself"

The Wishing Game quotes

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