Review by Booklist Review
A bright but bossy fifth-grader, Lucy receives a bracelet by mail, along with warnings to consult the previous owners before making a wish while wearing it. This magical bracelet grants one wish to each wearer, but the results are sometimes unexpected. Lucy has been looking forward to the fifth-graders' museum field trip, where her divorced Thai American father will give a presentation, but when he uses the occasion to propose to the school librarian, Lucy is shocked and distressed. She wishes for a do-over of the day. Her wish is granted, day after day, with a series of unfortunate outcomes until she learns to consider others' needs and desires as well as her own. Each book in the Best Wishes series has a new main character who receives the magical bracelet from the protagonist of the previous book. Illustrated with occasional grayscale pictures, the third volume picks up the interwoven narrative where Sister Switch (2023) left off and becomes a cautionary tale for the next bracelet recipient. A fun chapter book with a touch of magic.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
In this latest series installment, the magical bracelet finds its way to Lucy Usathorn. Ten-year-old Lucy's parents have been divorced since she was 3, and Lucy splits her time between her parents. She's looking forward to her field trip to the Fort Worth Natural History Museum, where her dad works. But the day quickly turns sour. Strict Ms. Brock, the school librarian and her dad's girlfriend, is chaperoning the trip, a classmate vomits on Lucy's new sneakers, and Lucy's pushiness alienates her best friend, Olive. Just when things can't get any worse, Lucy's father proposes to Ms. Brock, and Lucy runs off crying. At her mother's house, Lucy discovers a strange package containing a bracelet. She connects via text with the bracelet's previous owners (series fans will be familiar with their stories), who explain that this is no ordinary piece of jewelry but warn her to be careful what she wishes for. Lucy decides to use the bracelet to redo her terrible day...and prevent the proposal. Told in the form of a letter from Lucy to an unseen girl named Maya (the bracelet's next recipient), this is a lighthearted yet poignant tale. Once again, the fantastical premise is used to wonderful effect--as Lucy relives her day, she eventually learns a much-needed lesson. Lucy and her father are Thai, while Ms. Brock appears to be light-skinned in Vee's artwork. Gentle, inventive, and delightfully magical. (Fantasy. 8-11) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
