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The Carnival of Wishes & Dreams
In the tradition of Wishtree and You May Already Be a Winner, this hopeful middle grade novel tells the story of three former friends who must come together at their annual town carnival to heal and reconnect after a tragedy.
The small town of Clarkville has seen better days. Ever since the Cohen factory burned down a few years ago, jobs are scarce and unemployment is high. But each year for one night the Carnival of Wishes and Dreams comes to town and everyone gets to indulge in a little wonder and delight. And for three girls who each receive notes asking them to meet the anonymous sender at midnight at the Ferris Wheel, it’s an evening that promises to be truly magical.
Audrey McKinley can’t believe someone would ask her to ride the Ferris Wheel. Everyone in town knows she’s afraid of heights; the last time she rode the Ferris Wheel it ended with her having a panic attack. But ever since her dad lost his job after the Cohen factory burned down he’s been working too little. The carnival gives him a chance for some seasonal work, and she plans to spend the evening checking up on him and making sure he does his job. Maybe she’ll face her fears tonight, after all.
Grace Chang isn’t supposed to go to the carnival. It’s too close to the burned remains of the old Cohen factory—the place where her firefighter father lost his life. And they always rode the Ferris Wheel together, so that’s also something Grace isn’t supposed to do. But since her mom just announced they’ll be moving away from Clarkville the day after the carnival, Grace is sick of only doing things she’s supposed to do. She’ll be at the carnival. And she is definitely riding that Ferris Wheel.
Harlow Cohen is surprised anyone would want to ride the Ferris Wheel with her. Harlow used to be popular. But ever since her grandparents’ old factory burned down and so many people lost their jobs, many of the kids at school blame her—and her rich family—for their own parents’ worsening economic situations. Harlow can never resist a dare, but when a note arrives asking her to meet an anonymous person at the Ferris Wheel at midnight, she’s far from certain it will be a friend waiting for her.
Can these three girls put their differences aside long enough for their wishes to come true? And is it possible to save a friendship that once seemed lost for good?
The small town of Clarkville has seen better days. Ever since the Cohen factory burned down a few years ago, jobs are scarce and unemployment is high. But each year for one night the Carnival of Wishes and Dreams comes to town and everyone gets to indulge in a little wonder and delight. And for three girls who each receive notes asking them to meet the anonymous sender at midnight at the Ferris Wheel, it’s an evening that promises to be truly magical.
Audrey McKinley can’t believe someone would ask her to ride the Ferris Wheel. Everyone in town knows she’s afraid of heights; the last time she rode the Ferris Wheel it ended with her having a panic attack. But ever since her dad lost his job after the Cohen factory burned down he’s been working too little. The carnival gives him a chance for some seasonal work, and she plans to spend the evening checking up on him and making sure he does his job. Maybe she’ll face her fears tonight, after all.
Grace Chang isn’t supposed to go to the carnival. It’s too close to the burned remains of the old Cohen factory—the place where her firefighter father lost his life. And they always rode the Ferris Wheel together, so that’s also something Grace isn’t supposed to do. But since her mom just announced they’ll be moving away from Clarkville the day after the carnival, Grace is sick of only doing things she’s supposed to do. She’ll be at the carnival. And she is definitely riding that Ferris Wheel.
Harlow Cohen is surprised anyone would want to ride the Ferris Wheel with her. Harlow used to be popular. But ever since her grandparents’ old factory burned down and so many people lost their jobs, many of the kids at school blame her—and her rich family—for their own parents’ worsening economic situations. Harlow can never resist a dare, but when a note arrives asking her to meet an anonymous person at the Ferris Wheel at midnight, she’s far from certain it will be a friend waiting for her.
Can these three girls put their differences aside long enough for their wishes to come true? And is it possible to save a friendship that once seemed lost for good?
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 2019
2 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Lundquist
8 books455 followersJenny Lundquist is the author of seven middle grade and young adult titles including Seeing Cinderella and The Charming Life of Izzy Malone, as well as The Princess in the Opal Mask. Like any good California girl, she enjoys wine tasting, parasailing on Lake Tahoe, spontaneous trips to the sea, and wearing too many layers any time she ventures to places where it’s actually cold. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University and lives in Northern California with her family and their rescue pup, Ollie the Wonderdog, who occasionally makes unscheduled appearances at Jenny’s virtual school visits. A typical day in Jenny’s life includes consuming copious amounts of coffee and managing multiple kid and canine distractions while writing about wonder and whimsy in worlds both real and imagined.
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May 24, 2020
April 4, 2024
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was a very entertaining story! There are three separate POVs, and while at first it was difficult for me to keep track of who was who, I got used to it eventually. The book mainly follows three friends who were very close, but distanced themselves from each other after an accident involving all of their parents. Their town is still hurting from the accident, as many people were effected by it.
There were some cliches, yes, but the main story seemed pretty unique. It also shows the dangers of cyber-bullying and being obsessed with social media. I think it is best suited for kids ages 10-12 and has some positive messages. Some of the topics dealt with in this book are grief, friendship, cyber-bullying/bullying, social media, and parents splitting up.
The characters were supposed to be in 8th grade, but they really seemed like they were in 6th. There was some pretty typical drama involving popularity and crushes, which didn't seem necessary to the plot. I loved how in the end though, the girls realized who their true friends are. Overall, a good book for pre-teens.
This was a very entertaining story! There are three separate POVs, and while at first it was difficult for me to keep track of who was who, I got used to it eventually. The book mainly follows three friends who were very close, but distanced themselves from each other after an accident involving all of their parents. Their town is still hurting from the accident, as many people were effected by it.
There were some cliches, yes, but the main story seemed pretty unique. It also shows the dangers of cyber-bullying and being obsessed with social media. I think it is best suited for kids ages 10-12 and has some positive messages. Some of the topics dealt with in this book are grief, friendship, cyber-bullying/bullying, social media, and parents splitting up.
The characters were supposed to be in 8th grade, but they really seemed like they were in 6th. There was some pretty typical drama involving popularity and crushes, which didn't seem necessary to the plot. I loved how in the end though, the girls realized who their true friends are. Overall, a good book for pre-teens.
January 10, 2019
Thanks to @kidlitexchange, @jenny_lundquist, and @simonkids for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Fans of Jenny Lundquist – rejoice! She has a new #middlegrade book out next month and it’s wonderful. I adored IZZY MALONE and VIOLET BARNABY, and though these are different characters, the story is just as heartwarming.
Grace, Audrey, and Harlow used to be inseparable, until a tragic accident tore them – and their small town – apart. The Carnival of Wishes and Dreams is an annual Clarksville tradition that everyone looks forward to as a truly magical evening, and needs now more than ever. But Grace is moving away, Audrey isn’t sure who her true friends are anymore, and Harlow feels like everyone hates her. Is the carnival magical enough to bring these three former friends back together? Can their tight-knit community recover from its great loss?
The book is told from the alternating POVs of the three main characters, and after a few chapters I found it easy enough to keep track of whose perspective was whose. I love how Lundquist captures the challenges and heartaches of middle school life. I ached for all of these girls, wanting to hug each one and assure her it would be ok. I think this will speak to any child (or grownup) who has ever felt lonely, alone, ostracized, or just on the outs with their friends. Yes, there is heartache, but as with all of the great stories, there is hope, too. Loved this one and highly recommend it!
Fans of Jenny Lundquist – rejoice! She has a new #middlegrade book out next month and it’s wonderful. I adored IZZY MALONE and VIOLET BARNABY, and though these are different characters, the story is just as heartwarming.
Grace, Audrey, and Harlow used to be inseparable, until a tragic accident tore them – and their small town – apart. The Carnival of Wishes and Dreams is an annual Clarksville tradition that everyone looks forward to as a truly magical evening, and needs now more than ever. But Grace is moving away, Audrey isn’t sure who her true friends are anymore, and Harlow feels like everyone hates her. Is the carnival magical enough to bring these three former friends back together? Can their tight-knit community recover from its great loss?
The book is told from the alternating POVs of the three main characters, and after a few chapters I found it easy enough to keep track of whose perspective was whose. I love how Lundquist captures the challenges and heartaches of middle school life. I ached for all of these girls, wanting to hug each one and assure her it would be ok. I think this will speak to any child (or grownup) who has ever felt lonely, alone, ostracized, or just on the outs with their friends. Yes, there is heartache, but as with all of the great stories, there is hope, too. Loved this one and highly recommend it!
February 2, 2020
The Carnival of Wishes and Dreams by Jenny Lundquist, 292 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2019. $18.
Content: G (mention of someone dying in a fire)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Grace, Audrey, and Harlow used to be best friends – until the fire at the local factory (owned by Harlow’s father), that killed Grace’s dad, a firefighter, when he ran in to save Audrey’s dad. It’s been a year and normally the girls would enjoy the yearly carnival together, but they have barely been talking since that day. But the Carnival of Wishes and Dreams can really be magical. Especially when someone anonymously sends each girl an invitation to meet at the Ferris wheel at midnight.
Lundquist’s story is sweet and hopeful and full of a modern take on the destructive power of social media and queen bees. It wasn’t until about half way through that I was starting to differentiate between each of the girls as the POV shifted each chapter – this can be off-putting for a younger reader.
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Content: G (mention of someone dying in a fire)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Grace, Audrey, and Harlow used to be best friends – until the fire at the local factory (owned by Harlow’s father), that killed Grace’s dad, a firefighter, when he ran in to save Audrey’s dad. It’s been a year and normally the girls would enjoy the yearly carnival together, but they have barely been talking since that day. But the Carnival of Wishes and Dreams can really be magical. Especially when someone anonymously sends each girl an invitation to meet at the Ferris wheel at midnight.
Lundquist’s story is sweet and hopeful and full of a modern take on the destructive power of social media and queen bees. It wasn’t until about half way through that I was starting to differentiate between each of the girls as the POV shifted each chapter – this can be off-putting for a younger reader.
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
April 9, 2019
An Official KRITIQUE KLUB Review
By Vivien M. Ryder
This book was very cute. Well-written. The character's connecting stories and viewpoints were fun to see and read, and the book itself wasn't too long or too short.
For me, the main negative aspects were the rushed moments and slightly childish behavior. It seemed to me that while there was an overall conflict, the several smaller conflicts were solved so fast, that they did not seem significant enough to have been included at all. (For example, when Harlow is pranked with the box of spiders.)
The three main characters, Harlow, Grace, and Audrey, are very realistic and I LOVED them. Their reactions to loss seemed very real, and I applaud the author for that. However, I had some questions about how old they were supposed to be. They would seem like thirteen to fourteen year olds-- on social media, taking selfies, and a lot of their speech suggested this age range. Sometimes they seemed like eleven or so, with their crazy whims (wanting to be on stage randomly) and again, a lot of their speech. Some of their reactions to things and things they said and etc. made me think they were more in the seven, eight, nine age range. Audrey, in particular, bothered me this way. I can't recall any specific text I can quote here without spoilers, unfortunately.
OVERALL: Great book. Maybe for younger readers? Ten or eleven year olds might like it. As for older readers, I don't think that many of them would DISlike it.
WORST QUALITY: The unrealistic and annoyingly childish reactions of some of the characters.
BEST QUALITY: There are so many to name! I think probably how real the characters seemed. I can apply them to actual people I know, and that really makes me smile.
By Vivien M. Ryder
This book was very cute. Well-written. The character's connecting stories and viewpoints were fun to see and read, and the book itself wasn't too long or too short.
For me, the main negative aspects were the rushed moments and slightly childish behavior. It seemed to me that while there was an overall conflict, the several smaller conflicts were solved so fast, that they did not seem significant enough to have been included at all. (For example, when Harlow is pranked with the box of spiders.)
The three main characters, Harlow, Grace, and Audrey, are very realistic and I LOVED them. Their reactions to loss seemed very real, and I applaud the author for that. However, I had some questions about how old they were supposed to be. They would seem like thirteen to fourteen year olds-- on social media, taking selfies, and a lot of their speech suggested this age range. Sometimes they seemed like eleven or so, with their crazy whims (wanting to be on stage randomly) and again, a lot of their speech. Some of their reactions to things and things they said and etc. made me think they were more in the seven, eight, nine age range. Audrey, in particular, bothered me this way. I can't recall any specific text I can quote here without spoilers, unfortunately.
OVERALL: Great book. Maybe for younger readers? Ten or eleven year olds might like it. As for older readers, I don't think that many of them would DISlike it.
WORST QUALITY: The unrealistic and annoyingly childish reactions of some of the characters.
BEST QUALITY: There are so many to name! I think probably how real the characters seemed. I can apply them to actual people I know, and that really makes me smile.
August 2, 2019
Cute cover, although fireflies have nothing to do with the story. As for the title, it's a little misleading because this is 100% realistic fiction. No magic. It begins with several girls receiving a pumpkin gram with the same message. "Come to the Carnival of Wishes and Dreams. Meet me at the Ferris wheel at midnight. We'll ride it together." The message is unsigned and none of the girls know that her friends received the same pumpkin gram.
Clarkville is a manufacturing town that was hit hard by the fire that destroyed the Carlson Factory where half the town worked. Audrey, Harlow and Grace were best friends before the fire, just like their dads, who went to high school together. Harlow's dad owned the factory, and Grace's dad died in the fire while rescuing Audrey's dad. Now Harlow is shunned by everyone, Audrey's family is falling apart, and Grace's mom is pulling up stakes and moving to California. None of this will stop them from the one thing they look forward to every year...the Carnival of Wishes and Dreams.
The entire story takes place over one day. It's in alternating perspectives of the three friends, Audrey, Harlow and Grace. They meet up with several other classmates at the carnival who play into the story well. A lot happens at the carnival. A dishonest mom. A missing dad. Mistaken identity. Funnel cake mishap. Social media mayhem. Two crushes. Through it all, one thing rises to the top. These friends really miss each other.
I would probably give this 3 stars, but middle grade girls love this kind of stuff. You've got a night at a carnival without parents, near misses all over the place, and kids just trying to make sense of life. I'll probably purchase it.
Clarkville is a manufacturing town that was hit hard by the fire that destroyed the Carlson Factory where half the town worked. Audrey, Harlow and Grace were best friends before the fire, just like their dads, who went to high school together. Harlow's dad owned the factory, and Grace's dad died in the fire while rescuing Audrey's dad. Now Harlow is shunned by everyone, Audrey's family is falling apart, and Grace's mom is pulling up stakes and moving to California. None of this will stop them from the one thing they look forward to every year...the Carnival of Wishes and Dreams.
The entire story takes place over one day. It's in alternating perspectives of the three friends, Audrey, Harlow and Grace. They meet up with several other classmates at the carnival who play into the story well. A lot happens at the carnival. A dishonest mom. A missing dad. Mistaken identity. Funnel cake mishap. Social media mayhem. Two crushes. Through it all, one thing rises to the top. These friends really miss each other.
I would probably give this 3 stars, but middle grade girls love this kind of stuff. You've got a night at a carnival without parents, near misses all over the place, and kids just trying to make sense of life. I'll probably purchase it.
March 22, 2019
@KidLitExchange # Partner
Thank you to the @KidLitExchange network and the publisher for the advance copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
The Carnival of Wishes and Dreams by Jenny Lundquist is a beautifully written middle grades novel about friendship and dealing with a loss. Harlow, Audrey, and Grace have been friends for as long as they can remember because their fathers were best friends. That all changed one night when the Carlson Factory caught fire injuring Audrey's father and killing Grace's (a firefighter who died saving his best friend, Audrey's dad). In the year following the fire, the girls have drifted apart and everything is different for them. The annual Carnival of Wishes and Dreams (a town tradition) is back and it's promising to be a truly magical night when all three of the girls receive a mysterious pumpkin-gram asking them to ride the Ferris wheel at midnight.
The narrator's voice was inviting, captivating, and easy to read. The book is told through alternating perspectives with each chapter being from either Harlow, Audrey, or Grace's point of view. As the novel, and evening, progress you learn more about each girl and their struggles in the past year. The book focuses not only on their friendship but the hardships they're having with their families and the losses they're each dealing with. This books reminds readers that there is power in wishes and dreams and that you should never give up on a friend. I truly enjoyed this novel and will be recommending it to my students.
Thank you to the @KidLitExchange network and the publisher for the advance copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
The Carnival of Wishes and Dreams by Jenny Lundquist is a beautifully written middle grades novel about friendship and dealing with a loss. Harlow, Audrey, and Grace have been friends for as long as they can remember because their fathers were best friends. That all changed one night when the Carlson Factory caught fire injuring Audrey's father and killing Grace's (a firefighter who died saving his best friend, Audrey's dad). In the year following the fire, the girls have drifted apart and everything is different for them. The annual Carnival of Wishes and Dreams (a town tradition) is back and it's promising to be a truly magical night when all three of the girls receive a mysterious pumpkin-gram asking them to ride the Ferris wheel at midnight.
The narrator's voice was inviting, captivating, and easy to read. The book is told through alternating perspectives with each chapter being from either Harlow, Audrey, or Grace's point of view. As the novel, and evening, progress you learn more about each girl and their struggles in the past year. The book focuses not only on their friendship but the hardships they're having with their families and the losses they're each dealing with. This books reminds readers that there is power in wishes and dreams and that you should never give up on a friend. I truly enjoyed this novel and will be recommending it to my students.
December 5, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for The Carnival of Wishes & Dreams by @jenny_lundquist; thanks for sharing this ARC with me for @kidlitexchange! This book is out 2.12.19 and is perfect for upper elementary students looking for clean middle school drama. I read this in less than two hours. It's an easy, fun read that will have wide appeal. .
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The carnival has come to Clarkville and Grace, Audrey and Harlow are all hoping one night of magic might erase the problems of the last year since the Carlson Factory burned down. Each girl has her own personal drama, but above all else, they are all mourning the friendship they had with each other. Can the Carnival make their wishes come true? .
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Students are going to love this book. With the three different perspectives, there are plenty of access points for different kids to relate to a character. The action starts right away and picks up quickly; the entire book takes place in less than a day. Most of all, it's filled with (completely clean) teen drama over boys, selfies, fashion and friendships. I think the sweet spot for this novel is grade 5 or 6, but it could be read by kids as young as 3rd grade. CARNIVAL is a light, enjoyable read. .
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#mgbooks #mglit #carnivalofwishesanddreams #bookstagram #librariesofinstagram #librariansofinstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreview
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The carnival has come to Clarkville and Grace, Audrey and Harlow are all hoping one night of magic might erase the problems of the last year since the Carlson Factory burned down. Each girl has her own personal drama, but above all else, they are all mourning the friendship they had with each other. Can the Carnival make their wishes come true? .
〰️
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Students are going to love this book. With the three different perspectives, there are plenty of access points for different kids to relate to a character. The action starts right away and picks up quickly; the entire book takes place in less than a day. Most of all, it's filled with (completely clean) teen drama over boys, selfies, fashion and friendships. I think the sweet spot for this novel is grade 5 or 6, but it could be read by kids as young as 3rd grade. CARNIVAL is a light, enjoyable read. .
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#mgbooks #mglit #carnivalofwishesanddreams #bookstagram #librariesofinstagram #librariansofinstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreview
May 27, 2019
@kidlitexchange #partner Thanks to the #kidlitexchange network and author @jenny_lundquist for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own! The Carnival of Wishes and Dreams is just what the small town of Clarksville needs. Everyone’s lives have changed since the Carlson factory burned down. Audrey, Grace, and Harlow were best friends before the fire, but they’ve barely spoken in the year since. But all three girls receive a mysterious pumpkin gram from school, saying to ride the Ferris wheel at midnight. Each girl struggles to decide what to do on their own, while trying to navigate friendship struggles and social media. The book takes place across one day as the girls prepare for and attend the carnival. I feel that this book would be relatable for girls in 4th-8th grade as they begin to navigate having social media at their fingertips and exploring what friendship really is. Popularity and social status are huge in upper elementary and middle school, and the girls in the story are all figuring out where they fit in and who their true friends are. This book was published in February and would be a great addition to your school or home library.
April 21, 2019
@kidlitexchange #partner
Thank you to the #kidlitexchange network, author @jenny_lundquist, and @simonkids for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
THE CARNIVAL OF WISHES AND DREAMS by Jenny Lundquist 🎡
Grace, Harlow, and Audrey are best friends, just like their three dads were growing up. They used to be, that is, until a fire destroyed their town’s factory and took the life of Grace’s dad.
The anniversary of the fire is approaching, as is the once-a-year Carnival of Wishes and Dreams. The three girls all secretly receive “pumpkin-grams” telling them to meet at the Ferris wheel at midnight. Could their wishes possibly come true? Will their friendship be repaired?
With themes of friendship, loss, and growing up, along with a healthy dose of social media-caution, I can see pre-teen girls loving this tale. 🎡💫🎠 #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #thecarnivalofwishesanddreams #jennylundquist #booksforpreteens #booksformiddleschoolers
(PS: link to shop this book on Amazon is in my bio!)
Thank you to the #kidlitexchange network, author @jenny_lundquist, and @simonkids for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
THE CARNIVAL OF WISHES AND DREAMS by Jenny Lundquist 🎡
Grace, Harlow, and Audrey are best friends, just like their three dads were growing up. They used to be, that is, until a fire destroyed their town’s factory and took the life of Grace’s dad.
The anniversary of the fire is approaching, as is the once-a-year Carnival of Wishes and Dreams. The three girls all secretly receive “pumpkin-grams” telling them to meet at the Ferris wheel at midnight. Could their wishes possibly come true? Will their friendship be repaired?
With themes of friendship, loss, and growing up, along with a healthy dose of social media-caution, I can see pre-teen girls loving this tale. 🎡💫🎠 #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #thecarnivalofwishesanddreams #jennylundquist #booksforpreteens #booksformiddleschoolers
(PS: link to shop this book on Amazon is in my bio!)
January 7, 2019
When I first started reading The Carnival of Wishes and Dreams, I found the girls to be all too real. The narrative, which alternates between Audrey, Grace and Harlow, clearly expresses the complicated social lives of young teens trying to fit in with a clique of mean girls. The online and in-person bullying made me remember my own middle school years. It took a bit longer to piece together that the girls are tied together by their fathers’ lifelong friendship and sadly, the accidental fire that took the life of Grace’s dad. I enjoyed the way the interwoven narration brought the girls together at the annual town carnival. The story was hard to put down once the girls got to the carnival. I felt the resolution brought a nice close to the story, even though not all of the girls’ wishes came true.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2018
One year ago the factory burned down, killing one man in the process and the town has never been the same. Audrey, Grace and Harlow used to be best friends, but after the factory was destroyed, it seemed so was their friendship. They each get an anonymous "pumpkin-gram" inviting them to meet at the Ferris Wheel at the Carnival of Wishes and Dreams at midnight. Grace is moving to California with her mom to have a fresh start after her dad died, Audrey's mom left the family and her dad is not exactly acting dad like, and Harlow is being excluded and made fun of because her family owned the factory. Who wants to meet them and will they ever get work through their past to become friends again?
March 5, 2019
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange community, author Jenny Lundquist and publisher Simon Kids for the copy of The Carnival of Wishes & Dreams. All opinions are my own.
I was instantly drawn into the cover of this book. It is absolutely beautiful and reminds me of my youth. It takes me back to summer time with my friends in middle school and begging my mom to let us go to the fair so we could eat all the junk food and ride the Ferris wheel. That said this book will definitely be relatable to its intended age category. It also will show the way that 3 different girls handle the tragedy that tore their friendship apart. Told in alternating point of views between the girls, you get to see how each ones feel. Sometimes alternating views can be hard to keep up with but Jenny does it efforetlessly. The book has a steady pace and keeps you wanting to know what happens next.
I was instantly drawn into the cover of this book. It is absolutely beautiful and reminds me of my youth. It takes me back to summer time with my friends in middle school and begging my mom to let us go to the fair so we could eat all the junk food and ride the Ferris wheel. That said this book will definitely be relatable to its intended age category. It also will show the way that 3 different girls handle the tragedy that tore their friendship apart. Told in alternating point of views between the girls, you get to see how each ones feel. Sometimes alternating views can be hard to keep up with but Jenny does it efforetlessly. The book has a steady pace and keeps you wanting to know what happens next.
July 13, 2021
Oh this takes me back to carnivals, middle grades, and my group of friends. That is what I loved about this book. It could be set in any time or place. Every year in Clarksville , the Carnival known as The Carnival of Wishes and Dreams is magical as it seems to grant wishes and dreams. Three middle school friends Grace, Harlow , and Audrey split apart from a town tragedy are instructed to meet at the Ferris Wheel at midnight. Who sent this mysterious message and will it make their dreams come true?
September 6, 2021
This coming-of-age story has a magical touch to it. The story takes place in a small town and we follow Audrey, Harlow, Grace whose lives are intertwined with each other in a happy way until a tragedy hits them all. The aftermath of the tragedy led to complications that tangled up their lives, hopes, and aspirations. The thread of hope and friendship that runs through the storyline makes it a delightful read.
February 21, 2019
This book is a page turner. I started it a bit late on Friday night and was up until 2 am so I could finish it. I wanted to find out what happened at midnight so I didn't want to put the book down. It kept my interest the entire time. I passed off the book the next day to my 11 year old niece and she did the same thing. She couldn't put it down and read it all in 1 night.
September 11, 2019
Jenny Lundquist is an exceptionally gifted writer so it's not surprising that I enjoyed The Carnival of Wishes & Dreams. While I didn't enjoy it as much as her previous works, it was still a lovely read--both compelling and touching. I think it's especially relevant to girls 10-14 in the way it addresses social media, cliques, and bullying. The subject of grief was also handled very well.
September 29, 2019
DNF for The Carnival of Wishes and Dreams. Lots of info-dumping, and I couldn't keep any of the characters and their relationships/interactions/family situations straight. Some pages had, like, five different highly stylized fonts--pretty distracting. Too much drama, not enough happening.
January 13, 2019
A well written book about friendship facing tragedy. I really liked the book BUT DO HVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ENDING.
February 22, 2019
So. Much. Fun!
March 30, 2019
Been too long since I've read a book as easy and enjoyable as this. My only issue-the copy I got out from my library was printed upside down? I don't know if this was intentional or not.
October 21, 2019
My opinion on the book the Carnival of Wishes and Dreams was that the book was okay. I started to get confused keeping track about what happened to what characters and who was who but it is about three friends who were very close then there was and accident and they started to grow apart. The book was pretty interesting but it didn't hook me.
July 4, 2023
I appreciate this book and this author's work a lot. I got attached to all three of the characters whose points of view are included, although I found myself flipping back to make sure I knew who I was reading about for a little while. However, I felt like the characters being in 8th grade was a bit of a stretch; it seemed like it was intended for younger readers and the characters seemed younger to me. Some readers might wish for more complexity in several aspects of the book. Others might find the concept of girls going to meet someone mysterious at a carnival, even because of an invitation sent to them at school a little concerning. But there was just enough magic and romance to make it feel fun and whimsical, and I was glad I read it.
I recommend this for a cozy fall read for ages 9-12, girls especially since it's from the perspective of 3 girls. Anyone older than that might not enjoy it as much, but if you think you will like it, you might start on it and see what you think.
****4 stars****
I recommend this for a cozy fall read for ages 9-12, girls especially since it's from the perspective of 3 girls. Anyone older than that might not enjoy it as much, but if you think you will like it, you might start on it and see what you think.
****4 stars****
August 13, 2021
Amazing story!
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