Wish Monster

August 1, 2024
Grades 3-7 Hudson is the only one who remembers that Violet's dog died--not because he's uncommonly thoughtful but because the fact of the dog's passing seems to have been fully erased from everyone's memory. Except for Violet's, however, and now she's weighing whether to let Hudson in on her secret: she's found a creature who grants wishes. At first, it seems like a dream come true, but Hudson can see what everyone else is missing: every wish, even purely well-intentioned ones, has consequences, some of which are quite dire. White (Nightbooks, 2018) offers a smart, entertaining, and not-too-scary monster story that blends an unsettling creature with thoughtful questions about the consequences of unbridled wish granting. His vivid, painterly descriptions are a real strength, evoking slimy textures, noxious smells, and the unearthly wish monster itself, composed of tentacles and eye stalks snaking throughout the cave system and conveying mystical wishing wells. While it's a touch slow to start, the fascinating mechanics of wish granting and the underlying mysteries about Hudson's family rivetingly drive the plot toward its satisfying conclusion.

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September 15, 2024
Sixth grader Violet Park is heartbroken when her beloved dog dies--so, when she encounters a monster in a cave in the woods who gives her the opportunity to wish Midnight back to life, she jumps at the chance. Violet is satisfied that no one else remembers that Midnight is supposed to be dead--until classmate Hudson Causeway expresses his suspicions. Hudson is an odd kid: smart and kind but constantly overlooked by teachers and most other students, except for his one friend, Quinn Taylor. As Violet tries to figure out why Hudson is immune to the effects of her wish, she realizes that the monster wants her to bring it more wishers. She invites beleaguered shop owner Mr. Kazem to meet it, but when his wish has a terrifying side effect, Hudson and Violet realize that the wish monster may not be the benevolent entity they thought it was, and they set out to destroy it. When they learn that Hudson's mother knows more about the monster than she let on, a horrifying truth dawns on them. Packed with plenty of twists and action, this thoughtful novel explores the unintended consequences of getting one's deepest desire. Violet is cued Korean American, Hudson presents white, and Quinn has dark skin and "a mass of frizzy brown hair that [gives] off a distinct mad-scientist vibe," a description that unfortunately evokes negative racial stereotypes. Monstrous good fun.(Supernatural. 8-13)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 12, 2024
When middle schooler Violet Park’s beloved dog Midnight is brought back from the dead by the mysterious creature that inhabits the wilds of Haywood, N.J., she discovers that reality has also been rewritten. No one else remembers Midnight’s death except for forgettable sixth grader Hudson Causeway. After Violet gets the monster in the woods to grant a wish for down-on-his-luck corner store owner Mr. Kazem, Hudson is once again the only one who remembers life before Mr. Kazem’s city-block spanning superstore—and before his best friend Quinn Taylor disappears, along with everyone else who used to live where the store now stands. Unfortunately for Hudson, it means he may also be the singular individual who understands the true threat of the wishes. This slow-building, suspenseful tale by White (Gravebooks) boasts a clever and surprising twist on the “Monkey’s Paw” concept. Without shying away from the off-putting emotional element of facing down the consequences of even seemingly innocuous hopes and dreams, White presents a thoughtful exploration of friendship, complex family dynamics, and grief, resulting in a treat for budding horror fans. Characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 8–12.