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Wish
Join new friends Pixie and Wyld as they set out to solve a mystery of mermaids and magical coins, in this brilliant new adventure story from author Jack Ryder, for 7-9 year-olds.
Pixie's life has fallen apart: her beloved parents are swept out to sea in a fierce storm, never to be seen again, and she's sent to live with her mysterious grandma, Nanny Monkton, in a village on the edge of nowhere. On her train journey there, she meets an orphan boy called Wyld, who steals her mother's precious coin necklace.
When they arrive at Nanny Monkton's, Pixie realises that she's no ordinary grandma: she lives in a treehouse and wears an eye patch, just like a pirate! As Pixie settles into life in Wendbury and befriends Wyld, she begins to uncover amazing things about her own mother, about Wyld, and the wishing well in Nanny Monkton's garden - a mystery of mermaids and magical coins.
It sends the new friends on a whimsical journey to search for answers, but in Pixie's heart she knows she wants an answer to the biggest question of all: is there a wish powerful enough to bring her parents back?
A brand new unforgettable magical adventure from the author of Jack's Secret Summer and Jack's Secret World, beautifully illustrated by Alice McKinley.
Pixie's life has fallen apart: her beloved parents are swept out to sea in a fierce storm, never to be seen again, and she's sent to live with her mysterious grandma, Nanny Monkton, in a village on the edge of nowhere. On her train journey there, she meets an orphan boy called Wyld, who steals her mother's precious coin necklace.
When they arrive at Nanny Monkton's, Pixie realises that she's no ordinary grandma: she lives in a treehouse and wears an eye patch, just like a pirate! As Pixie settles into life in Wendbury and befriends Wyld, she begins to uncover amazing things about her own mother, about Wyld, and the wishing well in Nanny Monkton's garden - a mystery of mermaids and magical coins.
It sends the new friends on a whimsical journey to search for answers, but in Pixie's heart she knows she wants an answer to the biggest question of all: is there a wish powerful enough to bring her parents back?
A brand new unforgettable magical adventure from the author of Jack's Secret Summer and Jack's Secret World, beautifully illustrated by Alice McKinley.
176 pages, Paperback
Published July 7, 2022
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 21, 2024
This was a lovely story for 7 - 9 year olds. A great introduction to fantasy and the power of wishes. Lots a likeable characters and a villain thrown in too. I had to jump straight in to the sequel to find out what happens next!!
August 27, 2024
When Pixie's parents are lost at sea, her previously idyllic life takes a completely different turn. On her way to live with a grandmother she can't even remember, Pixie makes a new friend aboard the train. Wyld is not exactly what he seems, which he claims is thanks to a wish he made many years ago, and he accompanies Pixie to her grandmother's house. A house that turns out to be not like any Pixie has ever seen before. There, Pixie learns more about her grandmother as well as her mother. She also overcomes her skepticism of wishes and magic as she is exposed to many wonders. More than any other wish, there is one Pixie really wants to come true. Could this truly happen?
This reminded me of books I used to read as a kid, simple stories that you can lose yourself in. As with most of those books, the parents are gotten rid of right at the beginning so that the protagonist can go about having adventures unhindered 😂 Pixie is a very likeable main character and even the others add a lot of colour to the story, Puddles the talking frog being my favourite. He was the one who provided much of the humour in the book.
Like I said, the story isn't too complicated but is engaging enough to keep young readers hooked. The ending felt a little abrupt; I was hoping for a little more drama with Mr Gribble. But the book concluded with the promise of interesting things in store in the sequel.
This reminded me of books I used to read as a kid, simple stories that you can lose yourself in. As with most of those books, the parents are gotten rid of right at the beginning so that the protagonist can go about having adventures unhindered 😂 Pixie is a very likeable main character and even the others add a lot of colour to the story, Puddles the talking frog being my favourite. He was the one who provided much of the humour in the book.
Like I said, the story isn't too complicated but is engaging enough to keep young readers hooked. The ending felt a little abrupt; I was hoping for a little more drama with Mr Gribble. But the book concluded with the promise of interesting things in store in the sequel.
October 14, 2023
3.5⭐️
This is a lovely 7-9er title which reclaims the bright eyed simplicity of an imaginative, fanciful adventure much like those in vintage Enid Blyton stories.
Pixie lost her parents when a ferocious storm whipped up the boat they were in one day, ruining their seaside home. She travels to where her maternal grandmother lives, only to discover magic in the most unlikely places.
She meets Wyld, a Peter Pan sort of character as well as explores Nanny Monkton’s tremendous treehouse (both granny and the tree, turn out to be much more).
This illustrated book ends on a child-sized cliffhanger, as granny and children go off in search of a mermaid who might be able to solve the mystery of Pixie’s parents’ disappearance.
Author Jack Ryder is known to some as the actor who played Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders, as a teenager. He went on to performing and directing West End plays before fulfilling his lifelong ambition to be a children’s book author.
📚: @definitelybookskids
This is a lovely 7-9er title which reclaims the bright eyed simplicity of an imaginative, fanciful adventure much like those in vintage Enid Blyton stories.
Pixie lost her parents when a ferocious storm whipped up the boat they were in one day, ruining their seaside home. She travels to where her maternal grandmother lives, only to discover magic in the most unlikely places.
She meets Wyld, a Peter Pan sort of character as well as explores Nanny Monkton’s tremendous treehouse (both granny and the tree, turn out to be much more).
This illustrated book ends on a child-sized cliffhanger, as granny and children go off in search of a mermaid who might be able to solve the mystery of Pixie’s parents’ disappearance.
Author Jack Ryder is known to some as the actor who played Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders, as a teenager. He went on to performing and directing West End plays before fulfilling his lifelong ambition to be a children’s book author.
📚: @definitelybookskids
March 28, 2022
I was attracted to this book by the beautiful, glorious cover. Jack Ryder is a new author for me.
I loved the characters. Pixie, Wyld, and Nanny Monkton were all great fun, and very likeable.
I loved the treehouse, and what it turned into (can’t say because I don’t want to give spoilers). I also loved the magical forest, and I’m sad that they didn’t stay and protect it. The wishing well, and the story behind it, were a lot of fun.
The only thing I didn’t like, was the fact that the ending didn’t really feel finished, but hopefully that’s because there’s a sequel on the way.
Overall, this was a fun, quick read, with plenty of entertaining magic.
I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
I loved the characters. Pixie, Wyld, and Nanny Monkton were all great fun, and very likeable.
I loved the treehouse, and what it turned into (can’t say because I don’t want to give spoilers). I also loved the magical forest, and I’m sad that they didn’t stay and protect it. The wishing well, and the story behind it, were a lot of fun.
The only thing I didn’t like, was the fact that the ending didn’t really feel finished, but hopefully that’s because there’s a sequel on the way.
Overall, this was a fun, quick read, with plenty of entertaining magic.
I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
March 23, 2022
Aquick, easy and compelling read that I read in one short sitting. It was well written with a captivating storyline and well developed characters that were engaging, relatable and likeable. Combining adventure and magical elements this is a book that children will love for sure, I mean it has mermaids and a nanny that looks like a pirate and lives in a treehouse - even I want to go to Wendbury.
I will be telling everyone about this book, I highky recommend it.
I will be telling everyone about this book, I highky recommend it.
April 14, 2022
Wish was a whimsical read that had elements of fantasy! The characters were well developed and it was fun reading about them and their ventures! The plot was also good but I wasn't quite satisfied with the ending. I hope there will be a sequel! Overall this was a great read!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!
April 7, 2024
very fast paced but heartwarming story.i wish it had more to the ending.im hoping there's a second book in the series because it feels a little incomplete
February 2, 2026
it was a good book, highly recommend by me to young readers. It introduces the reader into early fantasy. It is well-written, and emerges the reader into a world of wishes and magic.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews