The Wishkeeper’s ­Apprentice

Gr 3-6–Felix Jones wishes more than anything that his 16-year-old sister liked him again. He feels silly dropping a penny into a fountain making this wish after Rebecca forgets to pick him up from soccer, but figures it’s worth a try. As he thinks about how much his sister has changed over the past year, he notices a small man who appears to be stealing pennies (wishes!) from the fountain. And that is how Felix meets Rupus Beewinkle, the town Wishkeeper. Rupus explains that lately there have been lots of “wish snags,” and other wish anomalies. Felix realizes that the terrifying creature he has been seeing in his nightmares might have something to do with all the messed up wishes in town. Rupus needs Felix’s help to figure out what’s going on, but it may be more than both of them have bargained for. Black-and-white illustrations, both spread-length and scattered throughout, bring Rupus and Felix to life. Young readers will love learning about the whimsical world of Wishkeeping in this well-realized story. A dramatic twist halfway through will keep the pages turning.