Imagine owning something magical that takes your wishes and makes them real…
Not a genie, exactly, although that’s a similar tradition. In “Joplin, Wishing,” by Diane Stanley, the wishes made real come from a ceramic platter and the depicted girl from Holland on it that holds this power. It’s a power that can oh-so-easily corrupt, and so the story shows. A touch of fantasy, plenty of real-life relationships, a good ending… what’s not to like?
The summary:
“A heartfelt and magical middle grade novel in the tradition of Tuck Everlasting and Bridge to Terabithia, about family, wishes, and the power of true friends to work magic.
While cleaning out her reclusive grandfather’s house, Joplin discovers pieces of a broken platter in a cookie tin. After having the platter repaired, Joplin wishes that she could both find a friend at school, and befriend the girl pictured in the platter. The next day, Joplin becomes friends with a boy named Barrett, and also notices a girl outside her apartment. A girl who looks remarkably like the girl in the platter…
The girl introduces herself as Sofie, and she has a terrible secret. Cursed to grant wishes for the owner of the platter for all of time, she has been trapped for centuries. Joplin and Barrett vow to help her, but freeing Sofie is more complicated than they could have imagined, and the three friends end up against a sinister foe who could put them all in terrible danger.”
Why did I like this book?
Something in its tone showed how delighted the author was with the place, time, and characters she’d chosen to bring to life. There is a kind of happiness and rightness that emanates from the narrative—but not in a cheesy way. Also, it shares friendship as a powerful agent of personal growth, a theme prominent in my books (The Curse of the Neverland, and Becoming Piper Pan)
After reading the book, of course I read the author’s acknowledgments. She spoke to a time in her life, as a young girl, in NYC with her mother—and the tone of the book became clear. It’s rooted in a heartfelt, warm memory, full of creativity, love, and a marvelous sort of freedom.
Hop on down to your library and put Joplin, Wishing by Diane Stanley on hold—good as a read-aloud or read alone. And while you’re reading it, imagine those wishes made real for your own.
Enjoy!