The Wish

May 1, 2000
Levine (Ella Enchanted; the Princess Tales) turns from fairy godmothers in the Brothers Grimm era to modern-day magic in this provocative meditation on what it means to be popular. Eighth-grader Wilma Sturtz is a nice New York City girl, but she's not popular--until she gives up her seat on the subway to a feeble elderly woman who grants her one wish. "I want to be the most popular kid at Claverford," Wilma tells the woman. Like many other books in this genre, the author explores the ramifications of "be careful what you wish for," adhering to the exact wording of the wish and demonstrating the fallout after graduation day. But, as always, Levine adds a refreshing twist to the fairy tale model: because Wilma has integrity, she uses her popularity to benefit others besides herself. The heroine, acutely aware of her unconditional popularity, adheres to the quote she most appreciates from Hamlet, "To thine own self be true." Because Wilma remains Wilma despite her popularity, she ultimately discovers who her true friends are when the wish's magic concludes. A flesh-and-blood supporting cast of imminently recognizable clique fixtures, as well as the unpopular outsiders whom Wilma also befriends, will offer readers much to ponder in their own lives. Ages 8-12.

April 1, 2000
Gr. 4^-7. Wilma is unpopular, and her fate seems sealed when a teacher reads an essay that Wilma has written from the point of view of Reggie, her dog ("Then I sniffed Celeste's anus. It was rich and full of Celeste"). But when Wilma gives an old lady a seat on the subway, things change. In return for her kindness, Wilma is granted a wish, and she chooses popularity at her school, Claverford. Immediately, girls adore her, boys want her, and Wilma sees how wonderful life can be when one is favored. But Wilma soon realizes her phrasing of the wish means she will only be popular as long as she is at Claverdford--and she's graduating in three weeks. As each precious day goes by, Wilma is aware that the closer she gets to her friends and a terrific new boyfriend, the more difficult it will be to give it all up. Naturally, this all turns out better than Wilma expects, but Levine stays true to her promise and has the wish expire. The fun is watching the nerdy girl, with whom readers will identify, blossom into a self-assured kid, who lucks out the most by learning what it takes to be a friend, not just have friends. Although much of this is well-traveled territory, there are some laugh-out-loud moments here and plenty of scenes that are believable and fun. Kids will get a kick out of this one. ((Reviewed April 1, 2000))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2000, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2000
Wilma Sturtz endures most of the eighth grade as "unpopular," but a few weeks before graduation she does a good deed and is granted her wish to be the most popular kid at school. Levine convincingly captures Wilma's adolescent distress between wanting her friends to like her for "her" and never wanting the spell to end.

(Copyright 2000 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

May 1, 2000
Gr 4-8-Wilma Sturtz is having a lonely time in eighth grade since one of her best friends has moved away and the other has switched to a different school. She feels herself on the outside of the various cliques that have formed and her perceived ostracism is aggravated when a teacher reads one of her essays aloud in class. Wilma's wish-to be the most popular kid at Claverford Junior High-is granted by an old woman on the subway to whom she has given her seat. Jared becomes attracted to her, and though he is not one of the really cool guys, the security of her new popularity allows their friendship to develop. Her new life is everything she could have hoped for, but she realizes that her wish will come to an end in a few weeks with graduation. Wilma is a well-drawn, believable, and likable character. As in Ella Enchanted (HarperCollins, 1997), Levine is on target in her creation of multidimensional characters. Jared is especially appealing in his candor and self-possession. Through the use of fantasy, Levine allows her readers to explore the qualities of true friendship and the very real need for approval and acceptance. An enjoyable, thought-provoking, and absorbing selection.-Renee Steinberg, Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ

Copyright 2000 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.