Just One Wish is a romantic comedy, with a sensitive side. All of the characters are likeable. The main character, Annika, is a girl struggling with her brother’s cancer. She feels like she can and must help her brother by granting him a wish from her imaginary genie. His wish ends up being way more than she expected. But since she is willing to do almost anything for him, she sets off to grant his wish.
Because of her “can-do” attitude, she gets into so many situations that almost force her back home without being able to grant her brother’s wish. It is fun to root for her as she tries to meet and convince a TV star, Steve, to go back home with them. The relationship development between Annika and Steve is classic for a romantic comedy.
Rallison explores the emotions Annika has and explains the motivation for her outrageous actions. Reality is stretched when it comes to her relationship with celebrity and her ability to sneak into places and deceive people. But the reality of her brother’s situation and her reactions are more realistic and not glorified.
Just One Wish is easy and fun to read, but leaves the reader thinking about life, love, friends and family. I recommend this book for middle and high school libraries.
- Posted by Kristin