Wand

Gr 4-7–Eleven-year-old Mira is having a tough time adjusting to her new normal in the wake of her father’s death. Money is tight, so she had to give up gymnastics and private school, and is wearing too-small shoes because she doesn’t want to inconvenience her stepmother. Without her father, Mira isn’t sure how she fits into her family. When a mysterious stranger appears and offers her three wishes, Mira knows she should be careful. She’s heard stories of fairies who trick people by offering them their wildest dreams. But wishing for a new pair of shoes seems harmless, and she’s tired of being made fun of for wearing the same pair of flip-flops every day. Readers will expect it when these wishes backfire, and eventually, Mira is off on an adventure through a magical realm, hoping to be reunited with her “real” family. Newer fantasy readers may find more enjoyment from Jennings’s narrative than more seasoned ones, as many of the tropes are familiar. The themes of belonging, navigating grief, and found family are resonant, but the relationships fall flat amid the well-trod ground of this fantasy story. All main characters are presumed white.