Perfect for anyone who loves funny, touching, unforgettable stories of family and friendship. Winner of Readers Favorite Five Star Medallion and Literary Titan Gold Book Award (See reviews below and in depth synopsis)
Brief synopsis:
Ten-year-old Rose O’Reilly and her best friend from birth, Linney, vowed they’d always be together until the day they would meet up in heaven floating on clouds of pink cotton candy. Then, boom, Linney moves 2,000 miles away. Feeling abandoned, Rose turns to Grandpa, whose wife, his own best friend, has recently died. They hold chat cafes in the kitchen on Sundays. It helps them to forget how much losing a best friend hurts.
While waiting for a new best friend to show up, and with Grandpa’s help, Rose learns that friends are everywhere if you have a big heart and know where to look. Your grandpa can be your friend. Or a boy with cerebral palsy, and a lost dog, or a classmate who comes to school with unexplained bruises.
Still, there’s that achy hole in her heart Linney left behind. She asks Venus, the Evening Star, for a new best friend, for Grandpa to come to live with them, and for a dog of her own. May as well wish for a dog too, because wishes are free.
Reviews
“Howell creates deep, caring relationships…(Wishes Are Free) evokes a classic children’s novel feel with a beautiful mixture of heart and life lessons sprinkled throughout…the book is extremely well done.” ~ Book Life
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“Diana Mercedes Howell has presented an unforgettable, pure, and powerful story.” ~ Jessica Barbosa, Readers Favorite
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“This ‘Wonder Years’ meets Anne of Green Gables is a not-to-be-missed story for lovers of excellently written, sweet coming-of-age stories of pre-teen angst and wonder.” ~ Goodreads
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“An often-engaging work about a girl searching for a balm for the sting of separation.… Readers will find Rose’s friendship journey to be a refreshing thrill…” ~ Kirkus Reviews
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“A friend gave me this book, and I immediately bought several copies for my granddaughter, nieces, and friends. It’s a wonderful read, full of positive thoughts and the warmth of friendship.” ~ Susan Washburn, Amazon customer
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“The bond between a young girl and her grandfather…serves as the emotional core of the story…themes of friendship, love, and coming of age are woven throughout…Howell strikes a fine balance between sentimentality and humor, adding layers to the story that make it both relatable and captivating…Howell’s adeptness in creating an enchanting story, leaves readers with a sense of anticipation for future works from this gifted author” ~ Literary Titan
Long Synopsis
It’s 1959 in Golden Valley, California —tailfins and hula hoops —Frankie Avalon and American Bandstand, and for ten-year-old Rose O’Reilly, everything changed in an instant. Her lifelong next-door neighbor and best friend, Linney, announces she is moving to Chicago.
Rose’s grandpa has just lost his wife, who was also his best friend. Rose and Grandpa hold chat cafes in the kitchen. It helps them forget how much losing their best friend hurts.
Rose makes three wishes on Venus, the Evening Star. She asks for a new best friend and for Grandpa to come to live with them. Lastly, she wishes for a dog. She may as well. Wishes are free, but do they come true?
A dog shows up, and Rose is convinced Venus has granted one of her wishes. But Mom and Dad don’t let her keep the dog. They must report it lost. For a second time, she feels abandoned. Grandpa takes her to meet the dog’s owner, Anthony, a boy with cerebral palsy, and they become friends. Rose realizes friends can come in different shapes, in the shape of a lost dog and in the shape of a boy with cerebral palsy.
Grandpa announces he is going to live with her family. One wish down, two to go.
During an encounter with the neighborhood bully, Rose’s library book is ruined. The next time they meet, Rose stands up to him and learns this bully is full of hot air. He never bothers her again.
She feels sorry for Raymond, a boy in her class who comes to school with unexplained bruises. She helps him cheat on a geography quiz, and they get caught. The next day, her dad is in the principal’s office, and Rose is sure she is going to be expelled. But it isn’t what she thinks. Raymond’s dad has been arrested for domestic violence, and Raymond will be living with them while his mother recovers.
On a trip to the beach during Easter Vacation, her older brother, Jeremy, is ruining the fun. He demands Grandpa stop the car to let him out. He’s going to hitchhike home. He and Grandpa have a gentle conversation on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Nick, Jeremy’s best friend, explains that her brother is super-tired, and that is why he is acting out. Later, Jeremy brings Rose a bouquet of Bleeding Heart wildflowers as an apology. Rose realizes her older brother is human, too, and forgives him.
Toward the end of the school year, a new family moves into the neighborhood. Rose spies a bike just like hers Could it be? A girl is moving in, but how old is she? It turns out she is Rose’s age, but the first time she and Siena Costello meet, Rose worries that Siena is out of her league. She isn’t sure she can keep up with someone who plays the violin and has an opinion on every subject. She runs to her favorite thinking spot at the creek and gives herself a pep talk, boosting her belief in herself. The Costello family invites her to dinner, where she discovers she and Siena are simpatico! Venus has come through!
In June, Rose throws a surprise party for Grandpa and invites all of her new friends: Siena, Anthony, his mom, and the Costellos. While everyone else is gathered around the piano singing, she and Grandpa slip outside. They spot Venus, and Rose makes a silent wish. There’s still one thing missing—a dog of her own. On the way back to the house, she stops and makes a final, silent wish. Venus? Can you find a new best friend for Grandpa?
May as well ask. Wishes Are Free.
Targeted Age Group:: 8 – 12
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
When I began writing fiction, I discovered I enjoyed writing children's stories. I wrote short stories and read them to my neighbor who is intellectually challenged. She loved them and I thought, I may have something here.
I strung those stories together added more and Wishes Are Free happened.
Also, writing children's stories is a way for me to reconcile a difficult childhood by creating loving characters as parents, and as Grandpa, who I wish I had around when I was ten years old.
I hope children reading Wishes Are Free have a loving home life. If not, I hope they read Wishes Are Free with hope that there are loving adults all around, and perhaps, like me, they will discover unconditional love later in life.
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