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The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura: An Award-Winning Chilling Fantasy About Demons and Friendship for Children
In this magical and chilling Coraline-esque retelling of the Japanese folktale “The Melon Princess and the Amanjaku," one girl must save herself—and her loved ones—from a deceitful demon she befriended.
Melony Yoshimura’s parents have always been overprotective. They say it’s because a demonic spirit called the Amanjaku once preyed upon kids back in Japan, but Melony suspects it’s just a cautionary tale to keep her in line. So on her twelfth birthday, Melony takes a chance and wishes for the freedom and adventure her parents seem determined to keep her from.
As if conjured by her wish, the Amanjaku appears. At first, Melony is wary. If this creature is real, are the stories about its destructive ways also real In no time, however, the Amanjaku woos Melony with its ability to shape-shift, grant wishes, and understand her desire for independence. But what Melony doesn’t realize is that the Amanjaku’s friendship has sinister consequences, and she quickly finds every aspect of her life controlled by the demon’s trickery—including herself.
Melony is determined to set things right, but will she be able to before the Amanjaku turns her life, her family, and her community upside down
272 pages, Hardcover
First published July 18, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
June 28, 2024
معیار من برای کتاب های رده middle school کتاب پلی به ترابیتیا هست و درمقایسه، The very unfortunate... فقط یه ضربه کُشنده با ۵ ستاره فاصله داشت. شایدم کمتر.
برای الهام از داستانهای فولکلور اول وفاداری به فولکلر و بعداً بسط دادن بهش باید رعایت بشه که اینجا بینقص انجام شد. به علاوه فضای وهم آور خاص ژاپن هم محسوس و به جا بود.
یه داستان چند لایه، شخصیت اصلی خاکستر و کابرد موتیف و تم های تفکر برانگیز باعث میشه این کتابو در حد ترابیتیا دوست داشته باشم.
و مهمتر از همه اینو مدیونم به دوستم FH که کتابو معرفی کرد و در اختیارم گذاشت.
برای الهام از داستانهای فولکلور اول وفاداری به فولکلر و بعداً بسط دادن بهش باید رعایت بشه که اینجا بینقص انجام شد. به علاوه فضای وهم آور خاص ژاپن هم محسوس و به جا بود.
یه داستان چند لایه، شخصیت اصلی خاکستر و کابرد موتیف و تم های تفکر برانگیز باعث میشه این کتابو در حد ترابیتیا دوست داشته باشم.
و مهمتر از همه اینو مدیونم به دوستم FH که کتابو معرفی کرد و در اختیارم گذاشت.
2023
October 10, 2025ANHPI TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books
July 21, 2023
Life has thrown some major curve balls at me and I needed something whimsical and captivating to help me escape. I was scrolling through the new releases on my Libby app and found this book. Yes, the cover is what got me. It's fantastic! I checked it out and was completely mesmerized by the story. I loved the characters and the atmosphere so much. There were times where the story would get creepy or unsettling and I loved it. Melony longs for freedom. Her parents are a bit over protective and worry about every little thing.she makes a wish on her birthday which unleashes a chain of events she was not expecting. I am so glad I found this book. What a pleasant surprise.
August 14, 2023
An intriguing retelling of a Japanese myth, author Waka T. Brown has main character Melony Yoshimura rebel against her parents' very strict rules, and accept the help of a spirit they've warned her about for years: the Amanjaku. At first, things are great, and Melony gets a bunch of things she wants, but quickly she finds the Amanjaku is getting stronger. So strong in fact that her life is hijacked, and Melony must find a way to repair the damage she has done to her family, friend, and classmates.
This is a great story of finding out who you are and what is really important to you. It's also about not making assumptions about others and their situations, and giving back to others with honesty and respect as a way to take responsibility for one's actions.
This is a great story of finding out who you are and what is really important to you. It's also about not making assumptions about others and their situations, and giving back to others with honesty and respect as a way to take responsibility for one's actions.
April 13, 2024
The comparison to Coraline in the blurb snapped up my attention...and I was not disappointed 👌
This book is honestly surprisingly nuanced and deals with serious topics all while being told through a fantasy lens.. A really layered look at being around middle school age and the pressures of living in a very strict household while trying to make friends. It also touches on the experience of being a first generation Asian-American and how being from a different culture while living in a predominantly white neighborhood can be very alienating.
Overall, I found the authors writing to be very engaging and this did not read too young. I enjoyed reading the story unfold!
This book is honestly surprisingly nuanced and deals with serious topics all while being told through a fantasy lens.. A really layered look at being around middle school age and the pressures of living in a very strict household while trying to make friends. It also touches on the experience of being a first generation Asian-American and how being from a different culture while living in a predominantly white neighborhood can be very alienating.
Overall, I found the authors writing to be very engaging and this did not read too young. I enjoyed reading the story unfold!
August 3, 2023
An entertaining read from start to finish! Great characters and setting, with just the right amount of creepiness. Middle school readers will love!
July 2, 2023
This is my first contact with this author's work and I've become a fan. I grew up immersed in Japanese culture, sports (Kendo), and pop-culture, and anime, and I have a passion for their folklore and legends, but I'm not Japanese. I just always felt drawn to it. I can never refuse a good novel focused on these elements.
This is a very well-written story as a modern retelling (or inspired) by an old Japanese folktale “The Melon Princess and the Amanjaku" about an oni (demon) who grants wishes in a wicked way, leading people astray but also can be a shapeshifter taking their place.
Told in the first person, we follow Melony who is a first-generation American-Japanese 12-year-old child who is struggling to belong, caught between two different cultures. She is ashamed of her parents' heritage and overprotective rules. She even refuses to use her real name (Uriko) because she wants to fit in the "American" standards and be accepted by her peers instead of being bullied and made fun of. Although many kids (Japanese or not) who are bullies or made fun of their names (me included) will relate to her tribulations. This brought me close to Melony.
On top of this, her parents are overprotective and have too many rules constantly comparing American life/routines/what is acceptable or not to Japanese life. Melony's anger, frustration, and feeling suffocated by her parents leads her to make a birthday wish inviting an evil spirit without realizing it.
In school, there is a new girl and this gives Melony an opportunity for new friendships, with relatable interests and their background culture. Chloë is also from a Japanese family but being another generation this family is more integrated and Americanized.
The book has the perfect progression from self-centered Melony to the community. We start with her reactions to injustices until she hits the bottom. Bad things happen like lying, hiding, and stealing to achieve goals... Then the story becomes more and we even get insight into other characters' lives (situations) and understand better their action.
I like the end, I wasn't expecting the small twist that suddenly makes everything worse and tense and we're rooting for Melony in this "one last chance race" against time to make it all right again, not just for her but for the entire community.
Close to my heart because...There is something the author points out in her notes that is very important. We are not always the victim (the princess of the folktale) influenced by the "evil spirit" who makes us do our worst, we are also that "one" who shapeshifts to fit, to please, and be accepted. I relate to Melony a lot when I change myself to belong to my new culture, but I also relate a lot to her parents constantly making comparisons In my country we didn't (...) in my country we used to..." When in Rome be Romans right? And sometimes that tires and overwhelmed.
I think the author showed that very well with Melony's actions and redemption.
Themes such as Asian family culture in conflict with American culture, helicopter parents, anger, frustration, sense of being wronged, outgrowing selfishness, recognizing good from bad, regret, learning to see that we're part of different community cores (such as family, friendship, school, neighborhood...), facing fears, accepting responsibility, making new friends with relatable interests, respecting friendships, giving others a chance, being honest with others, express feelings but learning to be reasonable by communicating well.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC NetGalley and Publisher. My opinions are my own and are honest.
This is a very well-written story as a modern retelling (or inspired) by an old Japanese folktale “The Melon Princess and the Amanjaku" about an oni (demon) who grants wishes in a wicked way, leading people astray but also can be a shapeshifter taking their place.
Told in the first person, we follow Melony who is a first-generation American-Japanese 12-year-old child who is struggling to belong, caught between two different cultures. She is ashamed of her parents' heritage and overprotective rules. She even refuses to use her real name (Uriko) because she wants to fit in the "American" standards and be accepted by her peers instead of being bullied and made fun of. Although many kids (Japanese or not) who are bullies or made fun of their names (me included) will relate to her tribulations. This brought me close to Melony.
On top of this, her parents are overprotective and have too many rules constantly comparing American life/routines/what is acceptable or not to Japanese life. Melony's anger, frustration, and feeling suffocated by her parents leads her to make a birthday wish inviting an evil spirit without realizing it.
In school, there is a new girl and this gives Melony an opportunity for new friendships, with relatable interests and their background culture. Chloë is also from a Japanese family but being another generation this family is more integrated and Americanized.
The book has the perfect progression from self-centered Melony to the community. We start with her reactions to injustices until she hits the bottom. Bad things happen like lying, hiding, and stealing to achieve goals... Then the story becomes more and we even get insight into other characters' lives (situations) and understand better their action.
I like the end, I wasn't expecting the small twist that suddenly makes everything worse and tense and we're rooting for Melony in this "one last chance race" against time to make it all right again, not just for her but for the entire community.
Close to my heart because...There is something the author points out in her notes that is very important. We are not always the victim (the princess of the folktale) influenced by the "evil spirit" who makes us do our worst, we are also that "one" who shapeshifts to fit, to please, and be accepted. I relate to Melony a lot when I change myself to belong to my new culture, but I also relate a lot to her parents constantly making comparisons In my country we didn't (...) in my country we used to..." When in Rome be Romans right? And sometimes that tires and overwhelmed.
I think the author showed that very well with Melony's actions and redemption.
Themes such as Asian family culture in conflict with American culture, helicopter parents, anger, frustration, sense of being wronged, outgrowing selfishness, recognizing good from bad, regret, learning to see that we're part of different community cores (such as family, friendship, school, neighborhood...), facing fears, accepting responsibility, making new friends with relatable interests, respecting friendships, giving others a chance, being honest with others, express feelings but learning to be reasonable by communicating well.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC NetGalley and Publisher. My opinions are my own and are honest.
July 12, 2023
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.
The cover of this book is absolutely stunning. And I absolutely love that this book involves Japanese folklore.
This book is technically labeled as a "middle grade" book, but I feel like it tackled such .. mature and important topics that that was easily overlooked for me.
The MC Melony will be relatable for many. The author did a fabulous job at capturing her struggles and experiences at her age. Melony feels misunderstood by the people around her, especially her family.
The author's world building was great & descriptive.
The storyline was interesting and unique.
The book moved a little slower than I would have liked for the first half, but the remainder of the book was perfectly paced & easily kept my interest.
The cover of this book is absolutely stunning. And I absolutely love that this book involves Japanese folklore.
This book is technically labeled as a "middle grade" book, but I feel like it tackled such .. mature and important topics that that was easily overlooked for me.
The MC Melony will be relatable for many. The author did a fabulous job at capturing her struggles and experiences at her age. Melony feels misunderstood by the people around her, especially her family.
The author's world building was great & descriptive.
The storyline was interesting and unique.
The book moved a little slower than I would have liked for the first half, but the remainder of the book was perfectly paced & easily kept my interest.
June 30, 2023
I received an ARC from NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, Quill Tree Books. All opinions are my own, and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.
Genre: Middle Grade Magical Realism, Contemporary Fiction, Fairy Tale Retelling, Japanese Mythology, Dark Fantasy
Scare Factor: Low—it's perfect for kids 8-12
I adore reading middle grade books to see what they're up to. In THE VERY UNFORTUNATE WISH OF MELONY YOSHIMURA, I was blown away with how much this short novel did with a deft hand.
The author delves into a Japanese myth that she always loved (or maybe was haunted by) and brings it to life with modern twists. It covers themes like beware of strangers, but also greater depth with the importance of family, friendship, honesty, and being who you are. It's so beautiful! And these themes are pretty subtle so kids won't get put off by them.
Melony is a typical American 12 year-old: she wants independence while still needing her parents, she desperately wants to fit in. This is so relatable! But her parents are immigrants from Japan and have a different cultural climate in their home and what they expect out of Melony. You can just feel the friction and tension from this situation.
When the Amanjaku, a Japanese demon, arrives, I felt so worried for Melony and her family! Having the reader recognize the danger is great for middle graders. And the Amanjaku is charming, even fun and funny—at first. Oh the trouble it brings!
I will not spoil it, but I will tell you I was thrilled to see how this novel played out. Especially how Melony worked so hard to try and solve her problems—and they weren't easy ones.
I highly recommend this book! It's wonderful!
Happy reading!
Genre: Middle Grade Magical Realism, Contemporary Fiction, Fairy Tale Retelling, Japanese Mythology, Dark Fantasy
Scare Factor: Low—it's perfect for kids 8-12
I adore reading middle grade books to see what they're up to. In THE VERY UNFORTUNATE WISH OF MELONY YOSHIMURA, I was blown away with how much this short novel did with a deft hand.
The author delves into a Japanese myth that she always loved (or maybe was haunted by) and brings it to life with modern twists. It covers themes like beware of strangers, but also greater depth with the importance of family, friendship, honesty, and being who you are. It's so beautiful! And these themes are pretty subtle so kids won't get put off by them.
Melony is a typical American 12 year-old: she wants independence while still needing her parents, she desperately wants to fit in. This is so relatable! But her parents are immigrants from Japan and have a different cultural climate in their home and what they expect out of Melony. You can just feel the friction and tension from this situation.
When the Amanjaku, a Japanese demon, arrives, I felt so worried for Melony and her family! Having the reader recognize the danger is great for middle graders. And the Amanjaku is charming, even fun and funny—at first. Oh the trouble it brings!
I will not spoil it, but I will tell you I was thrilled to see how this novel played out. Especially how Melony worked so hard to try and solve her problems—and they weren't easy ones.
I highly recommend this book! It's wonderful!
Happy reading!
June 18, 2023
I absolutely adored Waka T. Brown's novel. I fell in love with the characters and the story line. I'm usually a quick reader, but I took my time with "The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura" simply because I wanted to absorb all of it.
There was so much that was happening and going on, from the complexities of the adults around her, to her fellow classmates and herself. What a marvelous book.
There was so much that was happening and going on, from the complexities of the adults around her, to her fellow classmates and herself. What a marvelous book.
February 20, 2023
Readers will fall in love with Melony. I wanted so much to save her at each step of her journey as the book drew me into her world. This novel had the right amount of eeriness to keep me on my toes and to keep me reading. Middle graders will definitely be able to identify with the characters and their dilemmas. A great read all around!
November 12, 2023
The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura is a retelling of the Japanese Folktale "The Melon Princess and the Amanjaku." I have not read/heard of this folktale, but I really enjoyed this middle grade story.
Our main character is Melony, a 12 year old girl with helicopter parents who immigrated from Japan to the US. They have warned her for years of a demonic spirit called Amanjaku that corrupted an old friend of theirs. However, when Amanjaku appears in her life and begins to give her all the things she thought she wanted, she cannot resist his allure.
This is a middle grade book and I find that MG books almost always center a moral lesson - even more than I find in children's books. The lesson in this book was hammered in VERY hard which made it feel a bit cheesy and summoned a few eye rolls on my part, but also I'm not the intended audience by any means!!
I went back and forth from the audiobook to the digital version and I really loved the audiobook. The narrator did a great job bringing the story to life and holding my attention. I read this book in a day and found myself really eager to go back to it each time I set it down.
I definitely recommend for a middle grade audience or anyone looking for a playful but eerie story.
*Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Our main character is Melony, a 12 year old girl with helicopter parents who immigrated from Japan to the US. They have warned her for years of a demonic spirit called Amanjaku that corrupted an old friend of theirs. However, when Amanjaku appears in her life and begins to give her all the things she thought she wanted, she cannot resist his allure.
This is a middle grade book and I find that MG books almost always center a moral lesson - even more than I find in children's books. The lesson in this book was hammered in VERY hard which made it feel a bit cheesy and summoned a few eye rolls on my part, but also I'm not the intended audience by any means!!
I went back and forth from the audiobook to the digital version and I really loved the audiobook. The narrator did a great job bringing the story to life and holding my attention. I read this book in a day and found myself really eager to go back to it each time I set it down.
I definitely recommend for a middle grade audience or anyone looking for a playful but eerie story.
*Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
September 18, 2023
Overall I thought it was okay. Whe Melony turned into an owl, everything after that felt partly rushed and partly too slow. It almost felt like it belonged in a different story.
Also the whole, "the bullies bullied you because they had a sad home life!" never really sits right with me because it feels like it excuses their actions.
The ending I was not really a huge fan of but the direction the story went I felt that was the only way it could have "ended" without involving a lot of consequences and such.
Also the whole, "the bullies bullied you because they had a sad home life!" never really sits right with me because it feels like it excuses their actions.
The ending I was not really a huge fan of but the direction the story went I felt that was the only way it could have "ended" without involving a lot of consequences and such.
February 26, 2024
I found this title in a list of recommended horror books for tweens. My son and I now have a running joke based on the fact that the most scary thing to happen in the first half of this novel is a girl eating a bunch of chocolate cookies AND drinking hot chocolate at the same time!!!
😲 The horror! 😲
It is a sweet re-imagining of a Japanese fairytale though.
😲 The horror! 😲
It is a sweet re-imagining of a Japanese fairytale though.
August 11, 2023
Waka T. Brown does it again! The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura captivated me from start to finish, even while I was sick with Covid (in fact, it successfully distracted me from some pretty terrible symptoms).
The novel follows a young girl named Melony Yoshimura and her struggle to carve out space for herself in an overprotective household. Out of frustration with parents who never seem to want her to fit in, as well as difficult classmates and disappointing outcomes at school, Melony makes a wish that accidentally attracts the attention of a Japanese demon called the Amanjaku.
The Amanjaku is suitably spooky, and I love anything that has a Faustian bargain as part of its premise. There's also a great series of chapters during which
As someone who grew up loving spooky Middle Grades with a dash of mystery to them, Melony Yoshimura really scratched an itch I've had since my childhood obsession with the work of Zilpha Keatley Snyder. This was Brown's first foray into something more fantastical and much as she did with her previous two novels (which I also heartily recommend!) she knocks it out of the park. Fans of mythologically and folklore-tinged contemporary works will find much to love here, but if you're worried that a more fantastical turn will mean less of Brown's skillful and emotionally rich exploration of social issues and the complexity of growing up as a person of colour and immigrant in America, you need not worry. Brown easily interweaves many of the themes that characterize her work into this beautiful and haunting story of a young girl and her encounter with a demon.
The novel follows a young girl named Melony Yoshimura and her struggle to carve out space for herself in an overprotective household. Out of frustration with parents who never seem to want her to fit in, as well as difficult classmates and disappointing outcomes at school, Melony makes a wish that accidentally attracts the attention of a Japanese demon called the Amanjaku.
The Amanjaku is suitably spooky, and I love anything that has a Faustian bargain as part of its premise. There's also a great series of chapters during which
As someone who grew up loving spooky Middle Grades with a dash of mystery to them, Melony Yoshimura really scratched an itch I've had since my childhood obsession with the work of Zilpha Keatley Snyder. This was Brown's first foray into something more fantastical and much as she did with her previous two novels (which I also heartily recommend!) she knocks it out of the park. Fans of mythologically and folklore-tinged contemporary works will find much to love here, but if you're worried that a more fantastical turn will mean less of Brown's skillful and emotionally rich exploration of social issues and the complexity of growing up as a person of colour and immigrant in America, you need not worry. Brown easily interweaves many of the themes that characterize her work into this beautiful and haunting story of a young girl and her encounter with a demon.
August 5, 2023
This was a great retelling of "The Melon Princess and the Amanjaku" with a modern day twist. Melony is a young twelve year old girl that seems to always be comparing herself to those around her and focusing on the things that she's lacking due to her overprotective parents. Soon she realizes that she should really be-careful of what she wishes for because not everything is what it seems. Overall the writing was amazing with a great lesson to be learned.
February 6, 2024
I really enjoyed this. It was fun and more unsettling than I had imagined it would be. It was fantastic!
My only qualm is that I wanted even more. Basically I just want a version of the same story just with a bit more world building and a deeper plot, though it then might get overly complicated for its intended children's audience.
Anyways I loved the use of Japanese folklore. A very fun, Coraline-esque, story.
My only qualm is that I wanted even more. Basically I just want a version of the same story just with a bit more world building and a deeper plot, though it then might get overly complicated for its intended children's audience.
Anyways I loved the use of Japanese folklore. A very fun, Coraline-esque, story.
May 15, 2024
This was interesting and unique! I even had a dream about the Amanjaku *eek* This was a middle grade book that was easy to read but still felt engaging reading it as an adult. I enjoyed Melony’s journey and the life lessons she was taught throughout the book. I felt like I learned a bit about Japanese culture as well.
The cover illustration was a perfect fit!
The cover illustration was a perfect fit!
August 28, 2023
I wish it was a little fast paced, more thrilling and the characters more interesting. A little too underwhelming for me as I was expecting the story would happen sooner as the book is quite short. It felt rather too long in the first half. The writing is cosy. However, I expect something more for such stories.
May 15, 2025
جل الخالق... چرا من اصلا از این کتاب خوشم نیومد در حالی که نظرات دربارهش اینقدر مثبته؟ با اینکه تلاش کردم از دید یه بچهی دوازده سیزده ساله بهش نگاه کنم...
نمیدونم. گمونم جدیجدی پیر شدهم. پیامش به نظرم بیش از حد واضح بود. شاید هم به خاطر این بود که برام قابلپیشبینی بود ته داستان؟ به طرز مسخرهای هم طرف مامان و باباش بودم. وای، باورم نمیشه یه کتاب نوجوان خوندم و طرف بزرگسالهای داستان رو گرفتم.
آره، گمونم مشکل از من بوده، نه کتاب. برای بچههای راهنمایی مناسب باشه فکر کنم.
نمیدونم. گمونم جدیجدی پیر شدهم. پیامش به نظرم بیش از حد واضح بود. شاید هم به خاطر این بود که برام قابلپیشبینی بود ته داستان؟ به طرز مسخرهای هم طرف مامان و باباش بودم. وای، باورم نمیشه یه کتاب نوجوان خوندم و طرف بزرگسالهای داستان رو گرفتم.
آره، گمونم مشکل از من بوده، نه کتاب. برای بچههای راهنمایی مناسب باشه فکر کنم.
December 12, 2023
Review originally published 12 December 2023 a Falling Letters.
Recently, I read two middle grade books back to back which rekindled my excitement of the genre. Both felt like fresh new creative stories – different from anything I’ve read before. Middle grade has only just started fluorishing in the past 10 years. There are so many diverse stories waiting to be told! And I don’t even mean diverse in terms of “the characters have different identities”! I mean it in a super broad story narrative sense!
Okay, I will try to elaborate. The Last Hope in Hopetown is about a girl who lives in a town where the supernatural is normal – her adoptive moms are vampires and her best friend is a ghost – when vampires start going rogue, including her mom. The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura sounds like a more traditional middle grade story at first (although second gen stories of this type are relatively new in middle grade) – girl rebels against her overprotective parents – but there’s a refreshing twist that I won’t give away here, which even I didn’t see coming. Of course, the fact that Melony is Japanese American and Sophie is adopted by two women makes these stories unique. But I think where each book really shines and stands out is their unique plots.
I found the start of Melony a bit slow going, but once Melony befriends Chloë, things pick up pace. The tension picks up as well. The Amanjaku is a nasty piece of work. I love a supernatural creature that appears to befriend a woebegotten MC but then turns out to be quite sinister. Another highlight of this book for me was the realistic behaviour of a 12 year old progtagonist. There were a few points in the story where I noted “lol, that is such as a 12yo thing to do”. This is actually an uncommon thought for me when I read MG. Either I don’t put any thought towards the characters’ age, or if I do, I think they’re acting too young or too old. It feels rare for me to encounter a ‘Goldilocks’ MG protagonist, who feels just right for her age. In particular, the progression of Melony’s thoughts of jealousy and how she has to push back against that is a great topic to explore for this age bracket.
The Bottom Line 💭 If you’re looking for contemporary middle grade with a supernatural twist, both The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura and The Last Hope in Hopetown are engaging reads offering fresh stories that can even be appreciated by those who have grown weary of the genre.
Recently, I read two middle grade books back to back which rekindled my excitement of the genre. Both felt like fresh new creative stories – different from anything I’ve read before. Middle grade has only just started fluorishing in the past 10 years. There are so many diverse stories waiting to be told! And I don’t even mean diverse in terms of “the characters have different identities”! I mean it in a super broad story narrative sense!
Okay, I will try to elaborate. The Last Hope in Hopetown is about a girl who lives in a town where the supernatural is normal – her adoptive moms are vampires and her best friend is a ghost – when vampires start going rogue, including her mom. The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura sounds like a more traditional middle grade story at first (although second gen stories of this type are relatively new in middle grade) – girl rebels against her overprotective parents – but there’s a refreshing twist that I won’t give away here, which even I didn’t see coming. Of course, the fact that Melony is Japanese American and Sophie is adopted by two women makes these stories unique. But I think where each book really shines and stands out is their unique plots.
I found the start of Melony a bit slow going, but once Melony befriends Chloë, things pick up pace. The tension picks up as well. The Amanjaku is a nasty piece of work. I love a supernatural creature that appears to befriend a woebegotten MC but then turns out to be quite sinister. Another highlight of this book for me was the realistic behaviour of a 12 year old progtagonist. There were a few points in the story where I noted “lol, that is such as a 12yo thing to do”. This is actually an uncommon thought for me when I read MG. Either I don’t put any thought towards the characters’ age, or if I do, I think they’re acting too young or too old. It feels rare for me to encounter a ‘Goldilocks’ MG protagonist, who feels just right for her age. In particular, the progression of Melony’s thoughts of jealousy and how she has to push back against that is a great topic to explore for this age bracket.
“Ha HA ha haha HA… HA hahahaha…” My friend’s laughter bounced off the trees and echoed all around. A chill crept over me, and it wasn’t just the type of cold that grew more intense when the sun went down – it was a prickling sensation that caused all the hairs on the back of my neck to rise. (23%)
The Bottom Line 💭 If you’re looking for contemporary middle grade with a supernatural twist, both The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura and The Last Hope in Hopetown are engaging reads offering fresh stories that can even be appreciated by those who have grown weary of the genre.
May 15, 2023
This is an interesting take on a Japanese folktale for middle grade readers. I don't feel strongly about the story one way or the other. While it's interesting to get a take on some Japanese mythology, the pacing was pretty slow for most of the book and the ending was kind of ambiguous and dissatisfying.
It would have been nice if the two last names that were used a lot were not Yoshimura and Yoshida. It could get confusing because they're so similar.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.
It would have been nice if the two last names that were used a lot were not Yoshimura and Yoshida. It could get confusing because they're so similar.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.
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March 9, 2024Cuidado con lo que deseas, porque puede hacerse realidad.
Si, leí este libro porque me daban tremendas vibras de Coraline y la puerta secreta, ¿encontré lo que buscaba? Pues podría decirse que sí.
✨¿De qué trata?✨
La historia trata sobre Uriko "Melony" Yoshimura, una chica de 12 años recién cumplidos cuyos padres japoneses llegaron a Estados Unidos en circunstancias que ella misma no entiende. En su cumpleaños ella pide un deseo: tener libertad.
Resulta que sus padres tienen muy arraigadas las costumbres de su país natal, así como una excesiva sobreprotección que en algunas ocasiones llega a ser chocante para Melony, quien hasta ahora trata de encajar en la sociedad estadounidense y en específico, con sus compañeros de clase.
En su nuevo año escolar, sus amigas se mudaron o se fueron a otras escuelas, además no tiene un celular moderno para seguir manteniendo contacto, por lo cual está sola e incluso recibe comentarios ofensivos de parte de otros compañeros de clase como Hunter y Jay. Sin embargo, su vida comienza a tomar un nuevo rumbo con la llegada de una nueva alumna, Chloë Yoshida, con quien Melony se siente algo identificada y entabla una amistad con ella.
Hasta aquí parecería una historia introspectiva sobre el lugar de pertenencia y que la sobreprotección resulta ser contraproducente, y lo es, pero toma un giro cuando un día encuentra a su madre tejiendo un telar donde ve una especie de monstruo que parece ser inofensivo, pero su madre le advierte que se trata del Amanjaku, un demonio del cual hay que mantenerse alejado. Por desgracia, las circunstancias en la vida de Melony la llevan a encontrarse con este demonio.
✨Mi opinión✨
Este libro se siente como leer una fábula moderna, desde el inicio se nota el cierto toque místico que traerá la historia, como si supieras que en algún momento va a pasar algo y estás a la espera de verlo, lo cual llega pero mucho después.
La protagonista se da cuenta de sus errores y trata de repararlo, pero queda atrapada en la trampa del Amanjaku. Es aquí donde la historia "comienza", la protagonista sufre un cambio que le otroga una libertad a cambio de su vida, esto trae consecuencias a la gente que la rodea, incluyendo sus padres, mientras que ella puede ver todo eso. Una de las cosas que más me gustaron fue el desarrollo de la protagonista y cómo entendió que no hay que juzgar a alguien por la primera impresión que te deja, igual me encantó el apoyo de su nueva amiga, caso contrario, lo que menos me gustó fue que no hubo algo que revele un cambio en sus padres, de hecho fueron los últimos en darse cuenta dónde estaba Melony.
En fin, fue una lectura rápida, perfecta para leer en una tarde si no tienes nada que hacer y te deja un mensaje bonito.
Si, leí este libro porque me daban tremendas vibras de Coraline y la puerta secreta, ¿encontré lo que buscaba? Pues podría decirse que sí.
✨¿De qué trata?✨
La historia trata sobre Uriko "Melony" Yoshimura, una chica de 12 años recién cumplidos cuyos padres japoneses llegaron a Estados Unidos en circunstancias que ella misma no entiende. En su cumpleaños ella pide un deseo: tener libertad.
Resulta que sus padres tienen muy arraigadas las costumbres de su país natal, así como una excesiva sobreprotección que en algunas ocasiones llega a ser chocante para Melony, quien hasta ahora trata de encajar en la sociedad estadounidense y en específico, con sus compañeros de clase.
En su nuevo año escolar, sus amigas se mudaron o se fueron a otras escuelas, además no tiene un celular moderno para seguir manteniendo contacto, por lo cual está sola e incluso recibe comentarios ofensivos de parte de otros compañeros de clase como Hunter y Jay. Sin embargo, su vida comienza a tomar un nuevo rumbo con la llegada de una nueva alumna, Chloë Yoshida, con quien Melony se siente algo identificada y entabla una amistad con ella.
Hasta aquí parecería una historia introspectiva sobre el lugar de pertenencia y que la sobreprotección resulta ser contraproducente, y lo es, pero toma un giro cuando un día encuentra a su madre tejiendo un telar donde ve una especie de monstruo que parece ser inofensivo, pero su madre le advierte que se trata del Amanjaku, un demonio del cual hay que mantenerse alejado. Por desgracia, las circunstancias en la vida de Melony la llevan a encontrarse con este demonio.
✨Mi opinión✨
Este libro se siente como leer una fábula moderna, desde el inicio se nota el cierto toque místico que traerá la historia, como si supieras que en algún momento va a pasar algo y estás a la espera de verlo, lo cual llega pero mucho después.
La protagonista se da cuenta de sus errores y trata de repararlo, pero queda atrapada en la trampa del Amanjaku. Es aquí donde la historia "comienza", la protagonista sufre un cambio que le otroga una libertad a cambio de su vida, esto trae consecuencias a la gente que la rodea, incluyendo sus padres, mientras que ella puede ver todo eso. Una de las cosas que más me gustaron fue el desarrollo de la protagonista y cómo entendió que no hay que juzgar a alguien por la primera impresión que te deja, igual me encantó el apoyo de su nueva amiga, caso contrario, lo que menos me gustó fue que no hubo algo que revele un cambio en sus padres, de hecho fueron los últimos en darse cuenta dónde estaba Melony.
En fin, fue una lectura rápida, perfecta para leer en una tarde si no tienes nada que hacer y te deja un mensaje bonito.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2023
I am admittedly not the biggest reader of middle grade books, but the over and the description sparked my interest. After reading a few really amazing middle grade books for middle grade march, I thought I'd give this one a try. We have a young girl named Uriko/Melony who is first generation American and is finding herself torn between her desires to be more American and her parent's conservative Japanese views. After a birthday wish for things to change, Amanjaku, a mischievous Japanese mythical character arrives. All is fun and games initially, but soon there are serious consequences because of his presence and Melony must make some tough choices.
The thing that I think this book does best is illustrate what it is like to be a first generation child and be torn between the culture you were born into and the one that your parents grew up with. Melony's desire for more freedom and to be more like her American classmates really resonated with me. I grew up in a community of mostly immigrant families and I saw this exact scenario play out quite often. Her desire for independence and trust really butts up against her parents' expectation that she be obedient and passive.
The Amanjaku was an interesting character, but I did find myself wishing the book had delved into his myth a bit more. He sort of arrives suddenly and Melony accepts him without much question. I know she's feeling rebellious and he feeds into that, but she's also a clever and thoughtful girl, so I'm surprised she didn't question things a bit more. I also was a bit confused by some of the things that happened toward the end. Perhaps, as an adult I see some holes that a younger reader might not pick up on as much?
I did really enjoy the exploration of Japanese culture and mythology. I loved the inclusion of social norms, expectations, foods, sayings, etc. It really helped me to understand who this family was and where the parents were coming from in restricting Melony.
All in all, if you are a big fan of middle grade books or have a middle grade reader who enjoys myths, I think this would be a fun read. I think it might be particularly poignant for children who are the kids of immigrants as they may relate to some of Melony's struggles.
*Thank you to Netgalley, Waka T Brown, and Quill Tree Books for this E-ARC. This in no way affects the objectivity of my review.
The thing that I think this book does best is illustrate what it is like to be a first generation child and be torn between the culture you were born into and the one that your parents grew up with. Melony's desire for more freedom and to be more like her American classmates really resonated with me. I grew up in a community of mostly immigrant families and I saw this exact scenario play out quite often. Her desire for independence and trust really butts up against her parents' expectation that she be obedient and passive.
The Amanjaku was an interesting character, but I did find myself wishing the book had delved into his myth a bit more. He sort of arrives suddenly and Melony accepts him without much question. I know she's feeling rebellious and he feeds into that, but she's also a clever and thoughtful girl, so I'm surprised she didn't question things a bit more. I also was a bit confused by some of the things that happened toward the end. Perhaps, as an adult I see some holes that a younger reader might not pick up on as much?
I did really enjoy the exploration of Japanese culture and mythology. I loved the inclusion of social norms, expectations, foods, sayings, etc. It really helped me to understand who this family was and where the parents were coming from in restricting Melony.
All in all, if you are a big fan of middle grade books or have a middle grade reader who enjoys myths, I think this would be a fun read. I think it might be particularly poignant for children who are the kids of immigrants as they may relate to some of Melony's struggles.
*Thank you to Netgalley, Waka T Brown, and Quill Tree Books for this E-ARC. This in no way affects the objectivity of my review.
December 12, 2025
A strange little book, full of Japanese folklore and elements of what could be considerd magical realism—both areas I struggle to read, as I can't suspend my disbelief about certain creative liberties very well. Melony Yoshimura is given the adventure of her pre-teen years as she inadvertently wishes for her life to be different, only to have an Amanjaku show up, a Japanese folkloric creature, and wreak havoc on her life, her friendships and her morals.
The first two-thirds of this book, before the "Evil Melony" character comes in, was amusing, and full and impending dread as you begin to realize that the Amanjaku creature is increasingly bad news, because it begins to imitate Melony's best friend Chloe and start to engage in behaviors that would get anyone in trouble, let alone strict Japanese parents. I was waiting and waiting for somethign awful to happen, and that buildup alone made the book interesting to read. Unfortunately, when that moment came in the form of , the part of my realistic brain that refuses to believe in fairy tales shut off abruptly and I wasn't interested anymore. The story of the folklore itself, the origin and meaning of the Amanjaku (and, later, the significance of the owl and even the raven) was never fully explained, so I felt very confused when all these events were taking place.
Then, in the end, The book ends on multiple uncertainties that made me think it would be set up for a sequel, but I don't even thing that would work very well. I just wish more of the Japanese folklore part had been developed and explained, because I did find it interesting and an engaging concept to read about, but the execution was lacking.
The first two-thirds of this book, before the "Evil Melony" character comes in, was amusing, and full and impending dread as you begin to realize that the Amanjaku creature is increasingly bad news, because it begins to imitate Melony's best friend Chloe and start to engage in behaviors that would get anyone in trouble, let alone strict Japanese parents. I was waiting and waiting for somethign awful to happen, and that buildup alone made the book interesting to read. Unfortunately, when that moment came in the form of , the part of my realistic brain that refuses to believe in fairy tales shut off abruptly and I wasn't interested anymore. The story of the folklore itself, the origin and meaning of the Amanjaku (and, later, the significance of the owl and even the raven) was never fully explained, so I felt very confused when all these events were taking place.
Then, in the end, The book ends on multiple uncertainties that made me think it would be set up for a sequel, but I don't even thing that would work very well. I just wish more of the Japanese folklore part had been developed and explained, because I did find it interesting and an engaging concept to read about, but the execution was lacking.
July 8, 2023
First off, thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book! In addition to its lovely cover, I picked it up because of its interesting premise and for incorporating the Japanese folklore “The Melon Princess and the Amanjaku”. And I must say, this book was such a pleasant one to read! Even though it is categorized as a middle-grade book, I loved how the book tackled deeper themes of culture and identity. Melony’s character, albeit sometimes annoying, is really relatable; and while oftentimes I feel like it’s difficult to write about characters who are much younger than your actual age — who don’t have as many experiences or perspectives of the world yet — the author did an incredible job in capturing what a child as old as Melony may think and feel about her status at school and relationship with her family. She finds herself out of place at school due to her background, and at the same time she also finds her relationship with her parents strained after she feels that they cannot understand her and vice versa.
The Amanjaku, who initially appeared to be an ally, turned out to not be an ally after all. The gradual buildup made for an exciting, and even rather creepy and horror-like story, which I thoroughly enjoyed. My only contention is that the pacing of the story at the beginning was on the slower side. As a book that’s 180-ish pages, spending more than a third of it on establishing the context made it a bit hard to get into at first, but I loved the rest of the book. It was such a whirlwind of an adventure and I found it hard to put down until the end.
Overall, a really great book that I would recommend to readers of any age! It’s funny, creepy, relatable, and heartwarming; all while giving readers the exposure to Japanese culture in a way that is palatable and relatable.
The Amanjaku, who initially appeared to be an ally, turned out to not be an ally after all. The gradual buildup made for an exciting, and even rather creepy and horror-like story, which I thoroughly enjoyed. My only contention is that the pacing of the story at the beginning was on the slower side. As a book that’s 180-ish pages, spending more than a third of it on establishing the context made it a bit hard to get into at first, but I loved the rest of the book. It was such a whirlwind of an adventure and I found it hard to put down until the end.
Overall, a really great book that I would recommend to readers of any age! It’s funny, creepy, relatable, and heartwarming; all while giving readers the exposure to Japanese culture in a way that is palatable and relatable.
June 4, 2023
This book is wonderful. Spooky, thought-provoking, funny, and unexpected, with terrific details. It’s extremely well written, just like Waka T. Brown’s prior books.
I found Melony to be a sympathetic character, even with all her faults, and the family dynamic was so believable and real. The thrift store scene with Melony and her mother, and their hilariously clashing tastes, was particularly poignant and humorous.
I also loved the wacky touches, like Melony’s dad’s potato chip collection, and the ongoing saga around Melony’s piccolo. Side note: why is a piccolo so much funnier than, say, a flute or clarinet?! But it is. It must be something to do with the word (maybe because it is so close to “pickle”?) Anyway, it had me cracking up quite a few times.
I also appreciated that there is no moral ambiguity or wishy-washiness around the demon in this book, and no sympathy for it. Melony’s faults allow her to get dragged in by the demon’s tricks, but for the reader what’s happening is very clear. Brown is a deft writer, though, so this is done with enough twists and turns to make it gripping, not predictable.
I really wish there were more spooky/horror middle grade books that reached this level of excellent writing, humor, and real ethical deliberation. By the end, Melony has been forced to confront her jealousy, restlessness, and lack of appreciation for her family, and has changed for the better.
A 5-star read for sure!
I found Melony to be a sympathetic character, even with all her faults, and the family dynamic was so believable and real. The thrift store scene with Melony and her mother, and their hilariously clashing tastes, was particularly poignant and humorous.
I also loved the wacky touches, like Melony’s dad’s potato chip collection, and the ongoing saga around Melony’s piccolo. Side note: why is a piccolo so much funnier than, say, a flute or clarinet?! But it is. It must be something to do with the word (maybe because it is so close to “pickle”?) Anyway, it had me cracking up quite a few times.
I also appreciated that there is no moral ambiguity or wishy-washiness around the demon in this book, and no sympathy for it. Melony’s faults allow her to get dragged in by the demon’s tricks, but for the reader what’s happening is very clear. Brown is a deft writer, though, so this is done with enough twists and turns to make it gripping, not predictable.
I really wish there were more spooky/horror middle grade books that reached this level of excellent writing, humor, and real ethical deliberation. By the end, Melony has been forced to confront her jealousy, restlessness, and lack of appreciation for her family, and has changed for the better.
A 5-star read for sure!
October 24, 2024
This was a charming and heartfelt middle-grade novel that beautifully blends contemporary life with Japanese folklore. The story follows Melony, a relatable and spirited protagonist, as she makes a wish that has unforeseen consequences, leading her into an enchanting yet perilous adventure.
At its core, the novel is a tale about identity, family, and learning to appreciate the complexities of one’s heritage. Brown expertly weaves in elements of traditional Japanese mythology, giving the story a magical quality while still grounding it in the real-world struggles of growing up and navigating friendships. The fantasy elements are whimsical but carry deeper emotional stakes, as Melony must confront the consequences of her choices.
Brown’s writing is vibrant and accessible, making it perfect for young readers, while also offering deeper layers for older readers to appreciate. The humor is well-timed, balancing out the more serious themes of self-discovery and the desire to fit in.
Overall, “The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura” is a delightful, culturally rich story that will captivate readers with its blend of magic, humor, and heart. It’s a perfect read for anyone who loves tales of folklore and the timeless lessons they carry.
Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC and allowing me to provide my honest review
At its core, the novel is a tale about identity, family, and learning to appreciate the complexities of one’s heritage. Brown expertly weaves in elements of traditional Japanese mythology, giving the story a magical quality while still grounding it in the real-world struggles of growing up and navigating friendships. The fantasy elements are whimsical but carry deeper emotional stakes, as Melony must confront the consequences of her choices.
Brown’s writing is vibrant and accessible, making it perfect for young readers, while also offering deeper layers for older readers to appreciate. The humor is well-timed, balancing out the more serious themes of self-discovery and the desire to fit in.
Overall, “The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura” is a delightful, culturally rich story that will captivate readers with its blend of magic, humor, and heart. It’s a perfect read for anyone who loves tales of folklore and the timeless lessons they carry.
Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC and allowing me to provide my honest review
October 18, 2023
Thanks to the publishers at Quill Tree books for a chance to read “The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura”!
A retelling of the Japanese folktale, “the Melon Princess and Amanajaku,” this book follows 12 year old Melony Yoshimura as she finds out to be careful what she wishes for… the hard way. In many ways, it isn’t fair to compare it to Neil Gaiman’s “Coraline” because it’s a deeply Japanese-American story, one where our protagonist deals with being in translation between her American daily life and Japanese home life in addition to the Amanajaku being a distinct entity from Japanese folklore that doesn’t translate to other folktale traditions.
It’s a sweet tale that never overstays its welcome while also including body switching, demon magic, and more in a Japanese American household. “The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura” manages to strike the balance between creepiness and whimsy, make its very clear point that the grass is always greener while never talking down to its middle grade audience or feeling stale. It’s a book I wish I would have had when I was younger, and I’m so glad the middle grade horror nerds of today can add this book to a trove of great children’s horror novels.
A retelling of the Japanese folktale, “the Melon Princess and Amanajaku,” this book follows 12 year old Melony Yoshimura as she finds out to be careful what she wishes for… the hard way. In many ways, it isn’t fair to compare it to Neil Gaiman’s “Coraline” because it’s a deeply Japanese-American story, one where our protagonist deals with being in translation between her American daily life and Japanese home life in addition to the Amanajaku being a distinct entity from Japanese folklore that doesn’t translate to other folktale traditions.
It’s a sweet tale that never overstays its welcome while also including body switching, demon magic, and more in a Japanese American household. “The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura” manages to strike the balance between creepiness and whimsy, make its very clear point that the grass is always greener while never talking down to its middle grade audience or feeling stale. It’s a book I wish I would have had when I was younger, and I’m so glad the middle grade horror nerds of today can add this book to a trove of great children’s horror novels.
December 10, 2023
I found this book pretty interesting. A contemporary retelling of an old tale, it's well-done.
Honestly, the first thing that came to mind when I read it was the following:
"Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." We are responsible for our actions. Our desires fuel those actions, and we end up living with the consequences what we do. More importantly, others also live with the consequences of what we do.
I also liked that the monster in the tale starts out as unassuming, even innocent-looking. Sin never looks ugly when it lures you, or else you'd avoid it.
I'd recommend this one, with cautions. The Amanjuku is a demon, which might bother some readers (demon is another word for spirit in Japan, although since the amanjuku's influence is actually leading the protagonist into deeper sin, seems more legitimate than most things from this culture); and God's name is used as an exclamation/curse twice. Also, there is another instance of mild language (someone says "craptastic").
Honestly, the first thing that came to mind when I read it was the following:
"Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." We are responsible for our actions. Our desires fuel those actions, and we end up living with the consequences what we do. More importantly, others also live with the consequences of what we do.
I also liked that the monster in the tale starts out as unassuming, even innocent-looking. Sin never looks ugly when it lures you, or else you'd avoid it.
I'd recommend this one, with cautions. The Amanjuku is a demon, which might bother some readers (demon is another word for spirit in Japan, although since the amanjuku's influence is actually leading the protagonist into deeper sin, seems more legitimate than most things from this culture); and God's name is used as an exclamation/curse twice. Also, there is another instance of mild language (someone says "craptastic").
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