Guillory, Sarah. Wish with Wings, A. Roaring Brook, 05/2026. 288pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-1-250-34939-2.GRADES 4–7. OUTSTANDING.
Twelve-year-old Evan believes a good day means coming home dirtier than when she left, a view not shared by her mother and great aunt, who worry about strong-willed Evan’s “feral” behaviors (including slinging mud with her best friend Ford). Minor disagreements aside, life is fine on St. John’s Island, Lousiana–until the day the salt-mine where Evan’s daddy works floods, trapping him inside. An engaging and well-rounded character, Evan faces a tough choice when she realizes that exposing the truth about the mine disaster threatens the well-being of her family, friends, and small-town community. Written in first person and steeped in the natural world, this richly atmospheric story includes a strong cast of supportive characters, as well as an endangered whooping crane egg that Evan finds and attempts to hatch. Although Evan’s voice occasionally sounds older than her years, the story’s dramatic arc and nuanced themes make for a riveting read. Characters present as white.
Jenny Andrus—Independent