When Charlie Brennan goes ice fishing on her town's frozen lake, she's hoping the fish she reels in will help pay for her dream: a fancy Irish dancing dress for her upcoming competition. But when Charlie's first catch of the day happens to be a talking fish offering her a wish in exchange for its freedom, her world quickly turns upside down, as her wishes go terribly and hilariously wrong.
Just as Charlie is finally getting the hang of communicating with a magical wishing fish, a family crisis with her older sister brings reality into sharp focus. Charlie quickly learns that the real world doesn't always keep fairy-tale promises and life's toughest challenges can't be fixed by a simple wish . . .
Acclaimed author Kate Messner expertly weaves fantasy into the ordinary, in an important story of self-reliance and hope that will open readers' eyes to the wonders and challenges of their world.
Industry Reviews
"An empathetic, beautiful, magical, fiercely necessary book that stares unflinchingly at the very real challenges contemporary kids face and gently assures them they are not alone. Kate Messner gives her readers a story to cherish." - Anne Ursu, author of BREADCRUMBS and THE REAL BOY"Hopeful, empathetic, and unusually enlightening." - starred review, Kirkus Reviews"Rich and daring . . . As she did in All the Answers, Messner lightens a heavy theme with a bit of magic." - Publishers Weekly"A charming fantasy story with threads of several deep themes that could serve as the basis for thoughtful discussion." - School Library Journal"Messner uses her particular brand of magical realism to face some tough but necessary stuff. . . . An enjoyable and informative story." - BCCB"Messner melds realism with a bit of magic for a charming middle grade story. . . . Charlie's determination and spunk will appeal to readers." - School Library Connection"Messner writes insightfully of Charlie's experiences." - Booklist"It's no surprise that Kate Messner's magic pen could write a charming, moving, funny, and ultimately very surprising story about a magic pencil!" - Wendy Mass, New York Times best selling author of 11 BIRTHDAYS, on ALL THE ANSWERS"Messner (Manhunt) has created a relatable, sympathetic character in anxious Ava, and her story is at its best when Ava's life remains centered around the norms of her school, friends, and multigenerational family." - Publishers Weekly on ALL THE ANSWERS"Ava learns lessons about coping and bravery that should resonate with middle grade readers struggling with their own anxieties . . . An emotionally resonant portrait of a sweet girl whose struggles are firmly rooted in reality." - Booklist on ALL THE ANSWERS"Will appeal to Wendy Mass fans as well as those who love Messner's previous novels." - School Library Journal on ALL THE ANSWERS "An empathetic, beautiful, magical, fiercely necessary book that stares unflinchingly at the very real challenges contemporary kids face and gently assures them they are not alone. Kate Messner gives her readers a story to cherish." - Anne Ursu, author of BREADCRUMBS and THE REAL BOY"Hopeful, empathetic, and unusually enlightening." - starred review, Kirkus Reviews"Rich and daring . . . As she did in All the Answers, Messner lightens a heavy theme with a bit of magic." - Publishers Weekly"A charming fantasy story with threads of several deep themes that could serve as the basis for thoughtful discussion." - School Library Journal"Messner uses her particular brand of magical realism to face some tough but necessary stuff. . . . An enjoyable and informative story." - BCCB"Messner melds realism with a bit of magic for a charming middle grade story. . . . Charlie s determination and spunk will appeal to readers." - School Library Connection"Messner writes insightfully of Charlie s experiences." - Booklist"It's no surprise that Kate Messner s magic pen could write a charming, moving, funny, and ultimately very surprising story about a magic pencil!" - Wendy Mass, New York Times best selling author of 11 BIRTHDAYS, on ALL THE ANSWERS"Messner (Manhunt) has created a relatable, sympathetic character in anxious Ava, and her story is at its best when Ava's life remains centered around the norms of her school, friends, and multigenerational family." - Publishers Weekly on ALL THE ANSWERS"Ava learns lessons about coping and bravery that should resonate with middle grade readers struggling with their own anxieties . . . An emotionally resonant portrait of a sweet girl whose struggles are firmly rooted in reality." - Booklist on ALL THE ANSWERS"Will appeal to Wendy Mass fans as well as those who love Messner s previous novels." - School Library Journal on ALL THE ANSWERS" "An empathetic, beautiful, magical, fiercely necessary book that stares unflinchingly at the very real challenges contemporary kids face and gently assures them they are not alone. Kate Messner gives her readers a story to cherish. Anne Ursu, author of "Breadcrumbs" and "The Real Boy""It's no surprise that Kate Messner s magic pen could write a charming, moving, funny, and ultimately very surprising story about a magic pencil!" Wendy Mass, New York Times best selling author of 11 BIRTHDAYS, on ALL THE ANSWERS"Messner ("Manhunt") has created a relatable, sympathetic character in anxious Ava, and her story is at its best when Ava's life remains centered around the norms of her school, friends, and multigenerational family." "Publishers Weekly on ALL THE ANSWERS""Ava learns lessons about coping and bravery that should resonate with middle grade readers struggling with their own anxieties . . . An emotionally resonant portrait of a sweet girl whose struggles are firmly rooted in reality." "Booklist on ALL THE ANSWERS""Will appeal to Wendy Mass fans as well as those who love Messner s previous novels." "School Library Journal on ALL THE ANSWERS"" "It's no surprise that Kate Messner s magic pen could write a charming, moving, funny, and ultimately very surprising story about a magic pencil!" Wendy Mass, New York Times best selling author of 11 BIRTHDAYS, on ALL THE ANSWERS"Messner ("Manhunt") has created a relatable, sympathetic character in anxious Ava, and her story is at its best when Ava's life remains centered around the norms of her school, friends, and multigenerational family." "Publishers Weekly on ALL THE ANSWERS""Ava learns lessons about coping and bravery that should resonate with middle grade readers struggling with their own anxieties . . . An emotionally resonant portrait of a sweet girl whose struggles are firmly rooted in reality." "Booklist on ALL THE ANSWERS""Will appeal to Wendy Mass fans as well as those who love Messner s previous novels." "School Library Journal on ALL THE ANSWERS""
