Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Book Review: Genie Wishes by Elisabeth Dahl


Written by: Elisabeth Dahl
Published by: Amulet
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Source: netgalley

Purchase: amazon | IndieBound | Barnes and Noble  Genie Wishes

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - We loved this story and ran out to get the hardcover!

Synopsis: This sweet, funny novel follows fifth-grader Genie Kunkle through a tumultuous year. From the first day of school, Genie knows there will be good, bad, and in-between. The good? She’s in homeroom with her best friend, Sarah. The bad? Sarah’s friend from camp, Blair, is a new student at their school, and is itching to take Genie’s place as Sarah’s BFF. The in-between? Genie is excited to be elected to write her class’s blog, where she’s tasked with tracking the wishes and dreams of her class. But expressing her opinion in public can be scary—especially when her opinion might make the rest of her class upset.

Elisabeth Dahl authentically captures the ups and downs of a tween girl’s life, and the dramas—both little and big—that fill the scary transition between childhood and adolescence.


Let me tell you about Genie Wishes; I downloaded a copy through netgalley thinking that MundieTween would enjoy. Whoa! Did she enjoy it? I'd say so because she begged, pleaded and promised to help fold all the laundry (not just her own) for the entire year, if only I bought her a hardcopy of the book. She wanted to have it to re-read as she pleased. So what's a mama to do? I, of course, ran to the store and got her the copy. Let's face it, laundry folding is the worst part of that task, so I'm willing to do just about anything to avoid it including using child labor when needed.

What did MundieTween LOVE about the story? Well, Genie is not your average tween. She's the type of girl whose Halloween costume is row houses. Yes, you read that right. MundieTween loved Genie because she's smart, funny and adaptable to situations that could be frustrating (like a friend leaving you  to make friends with someone else).

The class blog's (which Genie writes) theme of "wishes, hopes and dreams" captures that last moment of childhood and the story itself is a good reminder how fifth graders are caught in the last gasp of it. This is a great book for girls who are transitioning into the Are You There God, It's Me Margaret?phase of reading. I'm glad that we have it on our shelf because I know my second grader will love this book, too, in a few years.
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~