Wish Monster: A Middle Grade Halloween Horror Tale About a Wish-Granting Creature and the Price of Bringing the Dead Back

by J.A. White

From J. A. White, the acclaimed author of Nightbooks, comes another spine-chilling stand-alone middle grade horror novel about a pair of friends who discover a strange creature in a cave that can make any wish come true—including bringing the dead back to life.

In the darkness, something opened its eyes.

The town of Haywood, New Jersey, has a secret. A wish monster.

Violet Park discovered its cave by accident, and the wish monster granted her deepest desire by bringing her dog Midnight back to life. It even erased everyone’s memory of his death. Life was perfect. But then an unremarkable boy named Hudson Causeway somehow remembered Midnight had died. That scared Violet. What if he ruined everything? Even worse, what if the wish monster wasn’t as innocent as it seemed?

Deep down, Violet knew: No wishes are made without consequences, and every monster needs to be fed.

Genres: Middle Grade, Horror, Fantasy, Childrens

336 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2024

About the author

J. A. White lives in New Jersey with his wife, three sons, and a hamster named Ophelia that doesn’t like him very much. When he’s not making up stories, he teaches a bunch of kids how to make up stories (along with math and science and other important stuff). He wishes dragons were real because it would be a much cooler way to get to work.

Reviews

[Amina · Rating 4 out of 5]

✰ 4 stars ✰

“Wishes are dangerous things, Hudson. Once you have what you’ve always dreamed of, it can become an obsession that you’ll do anything to protect.

Anything.

And if you do lose it, how can life ever be the same again?”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The twists and the reveals to the plot were truly the stars here. Shocking and tragic, but vividly expressive in being believable, they were paced out nicely throughout this action-packed, fast-paced read. The short chapters shifting between the perspectives of twelve-year-old sixth-graders Violet and Hudson built the suspense on a believable and even tone that had you wondering just how they would put a stop to the Wish Monster from making every possible wish come true before it spirals completely out of control. 😥

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It is J.A. White's tenth middle grade novel for kids, and it felt like a book for kids, too. It had heart and it had humor and it had friendship. I liked how it portrayed two sides of the parent-children dynamic and how it played a part in defeating the Wish Monster; it is something that readers will recognize a bit of themselves in. With sharp and smart writing that captured your attention and imagination, it was easy to get swept into the fear and danger that Violet and Hudson had to face. 👏🏻👏🏻

“But wish was powerful enough to still her feet, a world of promises packed into a single syllable.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I think it was really the beginning that drew me in - this sense of foreboding that crept through of something that was just off. And as further details were revealed, I felt that growing fear that something horrible was about to happen. There was action and there were life lessons learned - very honest and relatable ones that I enjoyed. 🤌🏻🤌🏻 I enjoyed how their friendship even came into fruition - one first built on suspicion and distrust, that eventually became one where they had to work together and build a trust when they realized that they really were the only ones who could save their town of Haywood, New Jersey. 🍂

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I really liked how the author built upon their own personalities. How Violet, so lonely and overshadowed by her popular and beloved older sister in her family, only found solace and love from her dog, Midnight. 😞 But, when he dies, she makes that fortuitous wish of having him brought back to life - only to discover that not everyone remembered he even died - except for Hudson Causeway, her forgettable, but honest and kind classmate, who remembers everything - and no one knows why. He was different and dangerous because only he could see the truth of exactly just what the Wish Monster actually was - that it has more sinister ideas in mind than his noble intentions aim to be. 😟

“Memories are overrated. It’s what we do that matters.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ My heart ached for Hudson - he was so kind, so brave, so good. He only had his mother and his best friend, but he cared for all with such a big heart. All he wanted was to be accepted and have a friend and when someone as pretty and popular as Violet gave him a chance, he so wanted to be her friend. 🥺 'If he could make a wish, it would be that they stayed friends forever.' Each instance their friendship was questioned or their motives judged, my heart broke a little - because they were both trying to right the wrong - no matter what. They both wanted something back that had been lost, and that showed just how similar they were, but were not able to be the friends they could have been. ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

The Wish Monster, itself, was not as scary as I pictured it in my head - but the monster of an idea of how it was able to lure its helpless victims - how he lured others to act upon their wishes and preyed upon their innermost desires - was palpable. 😨 'When it came to wishing, kids were way more dangerous than adults.' The supporting cast each played a specific part in heightening the tension and suspense. The woods in which the cave existed - foreboding. Creepy and eerie, spooky and dark, the small-town vibes of chills made for a perfect fall season read. 🍁The details were light, but effective in a grand scope of describing how even an innocent wish can be more harmful and dangerous than expected. 👍🏻👍🏻

“With so many wishes being granted, it was only a matter of time before something went terribly, irrevocably wrong.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It's also a cautionary tale about not taking wishes for granted; it is so easy to believe that one little wish wouldn't hurt, but temptation for more and thinking and believing that you could somehow cheat the system - word it in a clever enough way that there would not be a price to pay - but there is always a price to pay. 'Any wish, however innocent, might have terrible consequences.' Nothing good can ever be for free. Especially when they come true at a cost too great for what it was placed against. 😢

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The ending was bittersweet and sad - I wished it could have been different - but perhaps it was the only real way for everyone to get closure. It was rather heartbreaking to know that not everyone would get a happy ending as the wishes were wished away; perhaps to serve as a painful reminder that there are consequences to everything. And yet, there was still a lightness in my heart that it was a hopeful one for all - that some wishes do come true - just perhaps not in the way you wished for. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wish Monster is a wonderful read for this time of the year! The characters are adorable! It's told from Violet and Hudsons point of view! I really enjoyed seeing their friendship develop! It's a well written story with a good pace and fun characters! The book does touch on some heavy topics such as grief, unseen consequences, acceptance and more and it's all wrapped up in a magical tale of wishes and monsters! Great read! Thank you StoryGram Tours, J. A. White and The Shelf Stuff for sharing this book with me!

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prefacing this review by thanking NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the eARC of this book. My opinions are only my own!

The scene in this spooky and magical middle grade horror novel is set perfectly from the beginning. One fateful day, a hurricane knocks over a huge and ancient tree, revealing the mouth of a long hidden cave in which a monster lurks, longing to grant wishes. Violet Park, a middle school student who has largely been ignored by her parents in favor of her older sister, stumbles upon the cave when taking a walk through the woods while mourning the loss of her lifetime companion and best friend, her black lab named Midnight. Granting her heart’s desire, the wish monster brings back her dog, seemingly with no demand of anything in return. Everything seems perfect, and no one even remembers that Midnight had passed away. Except for Hudson Causeway, the forgettable, but empathetic and observant, boy in her history class. Violet finds herself wondering why it is that Hudson of all people remembers Midnight’s death and if the wish monster does indeed expect something from her after all.

This book was incredibly well-written and extremely engaging, moving at a perfect pace that balanced both character development and plot. It tackles some heavy and big issues, including grief and acceptance, what it means to be human, and the dangers of unintended consequences from seemingly benign desires, wrapped up in a chilling and magical tale of monsters and wishes. I can’t wait to add this one to my library and engage with my students on their thoughts about it, and most especially the ending!

[Edgaras Šakuras · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the author did a good job of escaping the cliché traps he set during the plot of this book, keeping the story fresh and engaging.

[Carina Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was just as exciting and special as I knew it would be. I have been a fan of J. A. White and his books for so many years now. He writes such amazing middle grade stories. This newest one looked all kinds of creepy and fantastic. I was lucky enough to get an eARC from Edelweiss. I could not wait longer to read it.

I am giving this gorgeous book four stars. As I loved it, but also had a few small things that I didn't fully love. But the writing was fantastic. And all of the characters were so adorable. Sigh. Truly enjoyed reading this story. Although I'm also a bit sad about the end. It was good, but bittersweet. A little heartbreaking, honestly.

I'm not going to write such a long review for this book. As it was a quick and easy book to read. I think one of the reasons for why I did not fully love it was because it was not all fantasy. It's set in our world. Which I'm not the biggest fan of, haha. But it did have a magical wish monster, which I did love. It had great characters which I also loved. So I didn't mind the world too much. But yes, I would have loved it even more, I think, if the world it was set in was fantasy too. But despite this, I still really enjoyed this book. It was exciting and a little bit creepy too. Full of all the horrible consequences that can come from making a wish. How it can change everything, both small and big. It was so rude. And I very much loved it. Such an interesting plot. And so much did change, from such small wishes. I liked reading about all the details.

This book is told from two point of views. Hudson and Violet. I adored Hudson from the very first moment. And I really liked Violet too. But she did some things that I did not approve of, and so I got a bit angry with her. But she made up for it, so I'm back to loving her too, haha. Hudson is a quiet boy at school, where no one really notices him. Except for his best friend, Quinn. I liked their friendship a lot. Hudson only has his mother. And I liked how she cared for him and wanted him to stay safe. I really liked how close they were.

I liked how Hudson and Violet slowly became friends. They both needed each other, I think. I loved it so. Violet was also a pretty lonely girl, I think. She had two best friends, but they slowly ghosted her after her beloved dog, Midnight, died. This broke Violet. Because her dog was everything to her. She has an older sister, Emma. But they aren't really friends. Because their parents only seem to notice Emma, the perfect child. And Violet keeps being forgotten by them. Which I really truly hated. The very worst parents. Hmph.

Violet just wants her dog back. As she is walking the woods, she hears a voice whispering the word wish. Which leads her to a cave that used to be caved in, but is now open. She enters. And there she meets a magical creature, more a monster, who can make her wish come true. I liked how she had three options, and could choose just one. She wanted her dog back. And back it came. I loved that for her. But now no one remembers that he died at all. Which was creepy. Except for Hudson. He remembers Midnight dying.

Which is where their sort of friendship begins. Violet is worried her wish will be taken, because Hudson knows when no one else does. So she's keeping Hudson close. He is simply happy to have a new friend. Sigh. How rude. But good too, as I really liked them together. This book is about the wish monster. How it needs more people to make wishes. Nothing bad happened when Violet got her dog back. But she had to bring someone else to make a wish. And that wish was a much bigger one, and it changed many things.

Which makes Hudson realize that the wish monster is nothing kind. Violet does not agree. I really loved everything that happened after this. New wishes were made. Hudson trying to figure out how to stop it all, how to reverse a wish. While also learning some secrets. I had sort of guessed it, but did not have all the details right. But oh, that twist was evil and so sad. Yet I loved it, ha. Wish Monster was such an exciting and thrilling story. I'm so glad I was able to read this book early. You all need to read this too, in October.

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This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2024...

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 5 out of 5]

E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

Hudson Causeway is pretty much invisible at school; even his teacher, Mr. Bishop, doesn't seem to remember his name. He just has one friend, Quinn, who is obsessed with the video game Blood Reign, and his mother is super overprotective. He has a well developed routine, stopping by Mr. Kazem's Hisana Market, saying hello to retired teacher and crossing guard Mrs. Beagle, and wondering about his father, who died before he was born. When he realizes that his neighbor and classmate, Violet, has a new dog, he's a little confused. He vividly remembers Midnight dying, and the students at school sending her cards, but when he mentions it to Quinn, his friend thinks Hudson is hallucinating. Violet, however, looks spooked when he mentions it, for good reason. After Midnight's death, she heard a voice calling to her from a cave in the park, and found the Wish Monster, who offered her three wishes. When she made one, and Midnight came back, it became apparent that in payment, the monster wants her to bring someone else to make a wish. Mr. Kazem's store is failing, and he's always wanted a bigger retail empire... which his wish brings him. It also causes Quinn to disappear, since the new store is built over where he lived. Mr. Kazem brings his friend, Mr. Bishop, who is still teaching at 68, who is offered the chance to be a noted historian, to bring back his deceased wife, or to be young again. He becomes himself at 12, but with all of his knowledge. Again, no one but Hudson seems to realize what has happened, although his mother knows something she's not telling him. Soon, the Wish Monster gets more and more people to make wishes, which has a horrible effect on the town, since every wish has unintended consequences. Why is it that Hudson and his mother are the only people who can remember what the world was like before the wishes? And what does the Wish Monster really want? There are too many delicious twists in this that I don't want to ruin!!
Strengths: White's Night books has been hugely popular in my library, and this was even better! It is a rare middle grade book that surprises me, and this one even made me tear up a little. I love the secondary characters like Mrs. Beagle, who misses being able to help kids, and Mr. Bishop who is just... tired. Trust me, there are very, very few people over the age of 55 who are still teaching! Mr. Kazem's wish was completely understandable. I loved that Violet finally saw Hudson, and that the two became friends. The ending... whew. Lots and lots of action, but then a rather sad, philosophical ending. I feel like I should have Mrs. Causeway over to tea and tell her that while "every child is a wish that came to life", not all wishes end the way one would hope.
Weaknesses: The cover isn't great. It's all a little too vague, and the green and purple don't say "super scary" to me. This might take hand selling, but readers of Nightbooks will pick it up for that reason alone.
What I really think: While it would be great to be able to make wishes and have them just come true without complications, that just doesn't happen. This is why books like Whitesides' The Wish Makers, Snyder's Bigger Than a Breadbox, and Eager's Half Magic are so intriguing. What if wishes DID come true, but there were stringent parameters for getting just what we wanted?

[SOYAMRG · Rating 4 out of 5]

In J.A. White's newest middle-grade novel, Wish Monster, White masterfully employs plot twists and reveals to drive a suspenseful narrative. The story, told through alternating perspectives of sixth-graders Violet and Hudson, builds tension as they attempt to stop the Wish Monster's escalating power.

The novel effectively balances heart, humor, and themes of friendship, exploring parent-child dynamics and offering relatable scenarios for young readers. White's engaging prose captures the fear and urgency of the protagonists' situation.

The initial sense of foreboding quickly escalates as the narrative unfolds, revealing the consequences of wishes. The development of Violet and Hudson's relationship, evolving from suspicion to necessity, is a key element. Violet, isolated and overshadowed, finds solace in her dog, whose death prompts a fateful wish. Hudson, an observant outsider, is the only one who perceives the Wish Monster's true nature.

The novel explores themes of acceptance, friendship, and the dangers of unchecked desires. The Wish Monster, while not overtly frightening, embodies the insidious nature of temptation. The small-town setting enhances the suspense, creating a chilling atmosphere.

Ultimately, Wish Monster serves as a cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of wishes, highlighting that every action has a price. The bittersweet ending, while perhaps not universally happy, provides closure and underscores the novel's themes of sacrifice and hope.

A recommended purchase for libraries serving middle grade readers.

M.R.
School Librarian/Children's Librarian

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, but I'm giving it 4 because there was a twist I didn't see coming. I probably should have, but the story is so fast-paced I tended not to think about what I was reading, I just accepted it so I could read as quickly as possible. And that kind of fevered reading is a testament to the power of the plot, no?

I *loved* this story, I loved the shifting viewpoints, but White would have benefited from a more detailed editor. At one point he writes that the main character washes up with soap and a lavender-scented washcloth. Sir, the washcloth is not lavender scented, the soap is.

Note to self: When I inevitably want to do this for First Chapter Friday - read chapters 9 and 10 instead of 1.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m very into realistically heroic kids and this book stars two kids fitting that description. Violet gets her hearts desire but has to balance that against the cost to others. Hudson has a steady core of decency that he needs to draw on when secrets about his past come to light. And all their choices have consequences and things don’t work out for everyone even when they deserve it.

I liked the variety of wishes and how the adults struggled with desire as much as the kids, and I appreciated how the sisters forged their relationship in time to work together.

[Jen Nishi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book! Eerie and atmospheric and expertly written by a master storyteller. There was so much heart in this that I found myself tearing up multiple times. Lots of twists that were lovely. Just a fantastic book.

[LS Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

just the right amount of spooky and creepy. there are lots of readers who enjoy books about making wishes, and how having just one wish will make everything perfect. I really liked the character of Hudson.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun story. It’s like reading a wild dream. It’ll take you through lots of fun, adventure, happiness and even sad. It’s a good read. Definitely teaches the moral lesson: be careful what you wish for.

[Matt Glaviano · Rating 3 out of 5]

I may not always be a fan of his style, but J. A. White writes a heck of a yarn.

This novel reads like a Twilight Zone episode. While you may know where it's going, it's still fun to see how you get there.

Middle grade cosmic horror.

[Ava F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this authors work and this is another win! What an awesome spooky and twisty story with the great message of be careful what you wish for

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Sakura · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING BUT MY HUDSON 😕 (don’t like violet…)

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

J.A. White is a master storyteller. This is a fascinating and well-told story. I loved these characters and couldn't put the book down.

[Dana Filth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written for a younger audience. That being said, I still enjoyed the story! another great book to get younger kids into reading.

[Sara B Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. This was a great fall/ Halloween read. Unique