Wish — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Dream, the standalone companion to Wish, out now!
The #1 New York Times–bestselling middle-grade novel about a girl who, with the help of a true-blue friend, a big-hearted aunt and uncle, and the dog of her dreams, unexpectedly learns the true meaning of family in the least likely of places. Perfect for fans of Katherine Applegate and Kate DiCamillo.
Eleven-year-old Charlie Reese has been making the same secret wish every day since fourth grade. She even has a list of all the ways there are to make the wish, such as cutting off the pointed end of a slice of pie and wishing on it as she takes the last bite. But when she is sent to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to live with family she barely knows, it seems unlikely that her wish will ever come true. That is until she meets Wishbone, a skinny stray dog who captures her heart, and Howard, a neighbor boy who proves surprising in lots of ways. Suddenly Charlie is in serious danger of discovering that what she thought she wanted may not be what she needs at all.
Don't miss Barbara O'Connor's other heartwarming middle-grade titles:
Wonderland
How to Steal a Dog
Greetings from Nowhere
Beethoven in Paradise
Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia
The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis
On the Road to Mr. Mineo's
The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester
Halfway to Harmony
Dream
Frequently asked questions
Is Wish appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book features themes of violence in the background, such as Charlie's father being in jail for fighting, which suggests a history of violence in her family life. However, there are no graphic depictions of violence in the narrative. No genuinely frightening content is present in the book. The narrative is described as heartwarming and focuses on themes of friendship and family rather than horror or fear.
Does Wish have violence?
The book features themes of violence in the background, such as Charlie's father being in jail for fighting, which suggests a history of violence in her family life. However, there are no graphic depictions of violence in the narrative.
Does Wish have scary content?
No genuinely frightening content is present in the book. The narrative is described as heartwarming and focuses on themes of friendship and family rather than horror or fear.
Does Wish have religious themes?
The book includes elements of Christianity, as the protagonist Charlie is introduced to the Bible and its teachings after moving in with her Aunt Bertha. The narrative explores themes related to faith and family life in a Christian context.
Does Wish have racial/cultural content?
No explicit racial themes or discussions are present in the book. The narrative focuses on personal and familial relationships rather than race as a central theme.
Does Wish have profanity?
No profanity is mentioned in the book. The search results indicate that the content is appropriate for middle-grade readers and does not include strong language.
Does Wish have climate change?
No climate themes or environmental issues are present in the book. The narrative focuses on personal and emotional themes rather than activism or environmentalism.
Does Wish have sexual identity?
No sexual content is present in the book. The search results confirm that the book does not include any explicit sexual themes or content.
Does Wish have gender roles?
The book features a young female protagonist but does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. The story centers on Charlie's personal growth and relationships rather than gender expectations.
Does Wish have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters mentioned in the book. The search results focus on general resources about LGBTQ+ characters in books and media, not specific to 'Wish'.
