Best wishes

Mlynowski (the Whatever After series) kicks off this first installment of a multi-author series positioned as The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants for middle graders, written as a letter from the book's narrator to another girl. The magic begins on New York City's Upper West Side, when Jewish fifth grader Becca receives a mysterious package with no return address; it holds a magical gold and turquoise bracelet with the power to grant one wish. Becca, who has been dumped by her best friend in the lead-up to her 10th birthday, makes the mistake of wishing for "lots and lots of friends." Things get out of hand after Becca's popularity takes a gigantic leap, resulting in changing relationships with classmates and even her strict mother. But Becca finds the attention insubstantial, making even her well-attended birthday feel like a bust. Then there's the matter of the blond stranger who is pursuing Becca, interested in gaining the bracelet's power for herself. The whimsical premise and attendant lessons may be nothing new, but an empathetic heroine and winningly absurd situations offer over-the-top hilarity. Vee's b&w cartoon illustrations portray Becca with light skin. Ages 8--12. Agent: Laura Dail, Laura Dail Literary. (Sept.)

Be careful what you wish for. Becca, who lives on New York City's Upper West Side, is planning a sleepover for her 10th birthday. But her best, and only, friend, Harper, seems uninterested, admitting that she has a new best friend. After the two have a falling out, Becca is truly friendless. Everything changes when she receives a mysterious box containing a magic bracelet with a poem saying that the bracelet will ease her sadness and will provide a single wish. She is instructed to mail the bracelet forward when it is no longer needed. Becca wishes everyone wanted to be her pal, and almost immediately, kids are talking to her, complimenting her, and inviting her to sit with them at lunch. It all seems wonderful but soon gets out of hand. She now wants the bracelet off. But it's not so easy. Becca narrates her story via a letter to an unknown Addie Asante, describing in meticulous detail her adventures in the realm of magic, holding nothing back as she questions events, eventually finding new understanding and new friends. Becca is Jewish and depicted as light-skinned in Vee's black-and-white illustrations; she seamlessly includes descriptions of family traditions. Harper is cued South Asian. Readers will love Becca for her humor, honesty, kindness, and insecurities. Many mysteries remain unsolved, but Addie is to be the next recipient of the box and probably the hero of the next book in this new series. A coming-of-age tale told with humor, compassion, and more than a touch of magic. (Fantasy. 8-11) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Excerpt to come. Excerpted from Best Wishes (Best Wishes #1) by Sarah Mlynowski All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.