Rissi, Anica Mrose. Wishing Season. Quill Tree, 06/2023. 228 [+12]pp. Fiction. Trade $18.99. 978-0-0632-5890-7. GRADES 3–7. OUTSTANDING.
In the world of a fifth grade girl named Lily, the profound loss of her twin brother to cancer weighs heavily on her heart. Lily and her single-parent mom both hide their deep sadness but Lily has a special secret: she can meet her brother, Anders, at a place called the overlap. However, over time, Anders’s presence dwindles, and Lily struggles to keep him close. Along the way, Lily meets Quinn and they develop a friendship that helps her heal. Rissi weaves a simple yet powerful storyline exploring Lily’s summer life after her brother’s passing. Through Rissi’s skillful narrative, readers can keenly sense the profound sadness that underlies the story. Characters read as white.
Hua Zhang—San Jose State University student