Ponder: The Wishing Game

I absolutely loved this book! The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer ©2023 is definitely worth five stars in my rating system. Lucy, a 26-year old kindergarten aide at a school in California, wants desperately to adopt a child out of foster care but needs a better income, better living arrangements, and a car to qualify. She learns of a contest being run by her favorite children's book author and she believes winning it will give her the funds she needs to meet the minimum qualifications for adopting seven-year old Christopher. Jack Masterson had published the 65 books in the Clock Island series but has been in seclusion for about 6 years. This contest is his coming out and writing another book. Christopher is enamored with these books and desperately wants another one to be added to the series; Lucy grew up with these books carrying her through trying times. The contestants are by invitation only. Lucy gets an invite. The contest is a series of riddles and games on Clock Island itself where Jack Masterson resides, as does his book illustrator Hugo Reese. Clock Island is off the coast of Maine.

I truly liked and became attached to all the characters along with their nuances. The book has the heartstrings tug of a little orphan boy who loves Lucy and yearns for a permanent home. Lucy is a pretty girl next door type who is determined but realistically optimistic. Jack Masterson is a somewhat gruff but lovable gentle type, like Mr. Rogers, attuned to children and their heartfelt wishes. Jack and his artist associate Hugo Reese have a close loyal relationship. Typically, Hugo scowls outwardly, but smiles inwardly.

As for the setting, the contest and most of the actions occur on Clock Island. The riddles are fun, thought provoking, and "figure-outable". The playful environment and tense challenges only enhance the reading experience. The paintings by Hugo, as described, are totally awesome and whimsical; they definitely conjure up detailed images in my mind. 

The entire book is endearing without being saccharine. Along with wishes, a parallel theme is fears and facing them. For more enticing details, check out https://www.megshaffer.com/. This is Meg Shaffer's debut novel and I cannot wait for her next one to come out in 2024.

★★★★★ Great! Read it.