Wish

December 7, 2009
Bullen delivers an enticing first novel about twin sisters—one alive and one dead. Grief-stricken high school junior Olivia moves with her parents to San Francisco to pick up the pieces after Violet's unexpected death. One night, while wearing a beautiful dress—a gift from a mysterious seamstress—Olivia wishes to have her sister back. She wakes up to find Violet's ghost waiting for her. Olivia is both shocked and overjoyed, and soon finds out that her seamstress is a cross between a fairy godmother and a genie—and that she has two more wishes (and new dresses) to come. The sisterly dynamic will draw readers in as Violet offers Olivia everything from fashion advice to counsel about boys, and Olivia gradually re-enters the world of the living, making new friends and finding romance. As Olivia's life becomes fuller it gets more complicated, too, but the story never surrenders to melodrama or gloom. Bullen's prose is solid, her head-to-toe descriptions of clothing are lavish, and she makes the sights of San Francisco come alive in this sweet story of siblings determined to remain inseparable. Ages 14–up.

January 1, 2010
Gr 9 Up-Olivia looks up from the wreckage of many months following the death of her twin to find herself uprooted across the country to San Francisco by her grieving attorney-mother and inconsolable contractor-father. Without Violet as a social and emotional crutch, Olivia doesn't know how she can face Golden Gate Prep. The touch of magic is subtle as the teen stumbles upon a hole-in-the-wall seamstress who agrees to mend an old dress of Violet's for a gathering at her mother's new firm. Instead, Olivia finds herself wearing a beautiful custom creation with a butterfly that bursts from fabric into life as Violet is wished back into Olivia's life. No one else can see or hear her, but Olivia's confidence is bolstered enough that she soon becomes friendly with Calla, the most popular girl in school, and catches the eye of skater cutie Soren. Complications ensue when Soren breaks up with Calla, and Olivia launches a clandestine romance, with a couple of dresses left to wear and wishes left to spend. This first-time novelist has produced an enjoyable variation on the three magical wishes scenario with nicely executed and believable characters, not so much fairy tale as realistic storywith some teen drinking. Olivia works through the wishes to realize her strengths and learn to face the world on her own."Suzanne Gordon, Peachtree Ridge High School, Suwanee, GA"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2009
Grades 8-11 After Olivias twin sister dies, she and her parents move to San Francisco, where she struggles to cope with Violets absence while navigating a new school and new city. When Olivia brings one of Violets torn dresses to an unusual tailors shop, she receives a mysteriously beautiful dress in return. She learns the dress is magical when she wishes for her sister back and Violet appears as a ghost; together they learn Olivia has two more wish dresses. With Violets help, Olivias social life improves but grows tricky when she begins secretly dating a new friends recent ex. Despite the fashionable way the wishes are granted, they work the same as in other fantasies, creating complications for Olivia until she makes an accidental but heartfelt wish that cannot be undone. This effortless fantasy makes good use of the conceit of wishes, giving Olivia what she needs to ultimately let her sister go, but the consequences of her social deceptions are resolved too easily. The happily-ever-after ending is pure wish fulfillment, but still one deservedly obtained.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)