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Sophie's Mixed-Up Magic #1
Wishful Thinking
After Sophie accidentally gets herself turned into a djinn, she starts to think that it might not be so bad after all. (Of course, that's after she gets the whole orange skin problem sorted out.) Who wouldn't enjoy having the power to grant wishes But when Sophie develops RWD (Random Wish Disorder) and can't STOP granting wishes, things get more than a little mixed-up.
- GenresMiddle GradeFantasy
228 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2012
2 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Ashby
31 books436 followersAmanda Ashby was born in Australia but now lives in New Zealand where she writes romance, young adult and middle grade books. She also works in a library, owns far too many vintage tablecloths and likes to delight her family by constantly rearranging the furniture.
She has a degree in English and Journalism from the University of Queensland and is married with two children. Her debut book was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award, and her first young adult book was listed by the New York Public Libraryʼs Stuff for the Teen Age. Because she’s mysterious she also writes middle grade books under the name, Catherine Holt and hopes that all this writing won’t interfere with her Netflix schedule.
She also runs writing workshops and loves to speak to people about Buffy (er, she means writing). See her Website for more information.
She has a degree in English and Journalism from the University of Queensland and is married with two children. Her debut book was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award, and her first young adult book was listed by the New York Public Libraryʼs Stuff for the Teen Age. Because she’s mysterious she also writes middle grade books under the name, Catherine Holt and hopes that all this writing won’t interfere with her Netflix schedule.
She also runs writing workshops and loves to speak to people about Buffy (er, she means writing). See her Website for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 2, 2012
This book is a perfect read for young readers. To read more of my review about this book go to my blog, http://arethaspotnews.wordpress.com/2...
November 24, 2024
I loved this book as a young child 5 it felt real even if she acted exaggerated. Rereading I love all the little setting details about the characters and actions that really makes it feel like preteens in the 2010s. That being said I did have some issues. The pacing was lackluster with very little action and high amounts of banter. A lot of the characters felt one dimensional. Four stars for enjoyment as a child and nostalgia. However although this is nothing on the book, I could never seem to buy book two and three as a child. A couple years ago i got my hands on a copy from a London library but it was stated to be withdrawn. Overall the series has a good message and I can appreciate the story’s overall showings, i especially liked the character development of the twins. I found malica to be the funniest character and overall a cute series.
April 13, 2020
Sophie’s is never going to be the same after she meets Malik, a djiinn, in a basement. Can she make her life happier if she can find her father who left four years ago? Can she help her mother find a solution of their financial problems? Can she use magic without consequences?
August 18, 2016
Amanda Ashby has a knack for creating extremely likeable characters, and putting them in unusual and entertaining (for the reader) situations. However, she also has an unfortunate tendency to use prose 'crutches' that ruin the flow of her narrative. In this book, as in her Fairy Bad Day (See my review of that novel to understand the extent of her affliction!), her primary crutch is a phrase involving shooting looks/glances/etc. Instead of varying her writing and increasing the reader's interest, she simply pulls out this phrase and drops it in wherever she likes, even when it's not appropriate. As I wrote in the other review, "shot" implies action and force; therefore, using it along with a soft type of look/glance just doesn't work. You can "shoot a glare" or "shoot daggers" if you want, but not a shy smile or an apology. And no matter what you do, don't repeat the same phrase over and over again. Among the dozens of uses and misuses of "shoot/shot", this book gives us the following:
-- Kara shot her an apologetic wince (65)
-- he...shot her an apologetic smile (83)
-- Jonathan...shot her an apologetic look (113)
-- Sophie shot Kara an apologetic grin (196)
That's just plain bad -- no, lazy, writing. But "shoot/shot" is only Ms. Ashby's primary crutch; elsewhere, she latches on to other words or phrases and doesn't let them go. In a single chapter we encounter this:
-- Sophie agreed as she narrowed her eyes (203)
-- Sophie narrowed her eyes (204)
-- she clutched at the comforter and narrowed her eyes (206)
-- Then she narrowed her eyes...(210)
There's also an inordinate amount of blinking going on in this chapter and throughout the book. Another crutch. And it's such a shame that no editor ever bothered to point these things out to Ms. Ashby; with her gifts in characterization and plot, stronger prose would have lifted her work to another level -- something higher and more satisfying than simply disposable reading.
If you're an aspiring writer, read your work carefully (and aloud!). Be wary of developing crutches. Their use becomes a habit that is nearly impossible to break. I keep reading Amanda Ashby's books in the hopes that eventually she'll improve, but I'm beginning to think that's just wishful thinking....
January 18, 2013
I love Amanda Ashby's books. They are always so much fun and have a great story to tell. Wishful Thinking is no different. Sophie is a super fun main character who I am excited to follow throughout the rest of the trilogy.
I love the liberties Amanda Ashby has taken with the traditional djinn tale. Whenever most people think genie or djinn, it is the traditional 3 wishes and a magic lamp, but Sophie quickly discovers this is not the case with the djinns in her world and her world is turned upside down. I loved learning more about the djinns.
Sophie is such a fun character and I love her crew of friends. What a great bunch! They have such a fun story to tell and I loved following along. I love that Wishful Thinking really personifies what it is like to be starting middle school, only for Sophie it is on this much bigger level with being turned into a djinn and all. The story takes a bit to pick up, but then it was smooth sailing and I couldn't put it down!
A must read for those looking for a good middle grade tale. It was fun and just a really great storyline. I cannot wait to pick up book 2 and see what is next for Sophie and her gang!
I love the liberties Amanda Ashby has taken with the traditional djinn tale. Whenever most people think genie or djinn, it is the traditional 3 wishes and a magic lamp, but Sophie quickly discovers this is not the case with the djinns in her world and her world is turned upside down. I loved learning more about the djinns.
Sophie is such a fun character and I love her crew of friends. What a great bunch! They have such a fun story to tell and I loved following along. I love that Wishful Thinking really personifies what it is like to be starting middle school, only for Sophie it is on this much bigger level with being turned into a djinn and all. The story takes a bit to pick up, but then it was smooth sailing and I couldn't put it down!
A must read for those looking for a good middle grade tale. It was fun and just a really great storyline. I cannot wait to pick up book 2 and see what is next for Sophie and her gang!
July 14, 2012
I think there is a reason there are not a lot of reviews for this book on Goodreads: most of the people who would like reading this book are to young to be allowed on social networking sites.
Honestly I am finding the book a bit of a trudge, I think it is mostly because the book is written for older elementary children, I think 3rd through 6th graders would really like this book.
If you have an 8, 9, 10, 11 year old at home who likes to read, give them this book. They will probably eat it up.
I think the book has a lot to recommend it. The plot moves along nicely and is not predictable. It deals with real life situations: you can only spend money once, sometimes you have to make uncomfortable choices and live with them, sometimes things don't work out the way you want them to. And the characters deal with these situations in ways that provide positive role models for young people.
Some books targeting younger readers try to expand the readers vocabulary, this book does not seem to do that.
Overall a good book for later elementary readers.
Honestly I am finding the book a bit of a trudge, I think it is mostly because the book is written for older elementary children, I think 3rd through 6th graders would really like this book.
If you have an 8, 9, 10, 11 year old at home who likes to read, give them this book. They will probably eat it up.
I think the book has a lot to recommend it. The plot moves along nicely and is not predictable. It deals with real life situations: you can only spend money once, sometimes you have to make uncomfortable choices and live with them, sometimes things don't work out the way you want them to. And the characters deal with these situations in ways that provide positive role models for young people.
Some books targeting younger readers try to expand the readers vocabulary, this book does not seem to do that.
Overall a good book for later elementary readers.
September 7, 2012
"Sophie's Mixed Up Magic" by Amanda Ashby is the perfect read for young lovers of fantasy books. Similar to the "Princess for Hire" series by Lindsey Leavitt, this is a charming story of a young girl who inadvertently lets a genie out of a bottle.
What happens next is told with an eye to the humorous, but young readers may feel empathy for this new middle schooler who is trying to fit in. Of course, having orange skin (courtesy of the djinn (genie), doesn't really help one fit in.
Sophie has some important decisions to make when she realizes that she's the next djinn! She also learns some astounding revelations about her father -- who had disappeared years ago. She never lost faith that he would return, but the rest of her family thinks he's gone forever.
It's a complete story, but with no real ending. Will Sophie use her newfound magic? How will she? Will she start to look for her father?
Read the whole review at: http://www.examiner.com/review/sophie...
What happens next is told with an eye to the humorous, but young readers may feel empathy for this new middle schooler who is trying to fit in. Of course, having orange skin (courtesy of the djinn (genie), doesn't really help one fit in.
Sophie has some important decisions to make when she realizes that she's the next djinn! She also learns some astounding revelations about her father -- who had disappeared years ago. She never lost faith that he would return, but the rest of her family thinks he's gone forever.
It's a complete story, but with no real ending. Will Sophie use her newfound magic? How will she? Will she start to look for her father?
Read the whole review at: http://www.examiner.com/review/sophie...
August 27, 2012
Sophie is 11 and just starting middle school. She accidentally frees a djinn and instead of being offered three wishes, she's tricked into becoming a djinn. Now her djinn, Malik, is teaching her the ropes. Meanwhile, Sophie's navigating middle school and has a crush on a cute 7th grader named Jonathan.
Cute book - started off slow but progressed fast. The second one Under a Spell, is even better and I'm excited to read Out of Sight.
Cute book - started off slow but progressed fast. The second one Under a Spell, is even better and I'm excited to read Out of Sight.
February 23, 2013
A great book I can't wait to read the sequel!
May 14, 2016
That was such a quick fun read. I really have enjoyed all of Amanda Ashby's books. Glad this ones a series so we can get more genie magic.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews