The Amberglow Candy Store by Hiyoko Kurisu

The Amberglow Candy Store by Hiyoko Kurisu, 193 pages

From the publisher: "In this charming, fable-like book from Japan, a fox spirit sells magical confections to troubled humans, only for them to get a little more than they bargained." 

Fable-like is an apt description. This novel weaves several threads of stories into a glorious tapestry. Unlike some other books in this genre, we get to spend some time with the spirit itself, and not just the affected humans. A delightful read and a credit to its genre. 

 

Be Careful What You Wish for... (Goosebumps #12) by R.L. Stine

 Be Careful What You Wish for... (Goosebumps #12) by R.L. Stine-121 pages

Samantha "Sam" Byrd is a clumsy 12 year old who is the tallest girl in her class. Judith and Anne and most of her classmates laugh at her and bully her for her clumsiness. One day, she runs into a gypsy named Clarissa and shows her kindness. In exchange for Sam's kindness, Clarissa offers to grant her three wishes. Sam could never have predicted the results of her wishes, however! The ending is somewhat unexpected. I enjoyed reading this. 

Down with the Shine by Kate Karyus Quinn

Down with the Shine by Kate Karyus Quinn  355 pages

When Lennie brings a few jars of her uncles' moonshine to Michaela Gordon's house party, she has everyone who drinks it make a wish. It's tradition. So is the toast her uncles taught her: "May all your wishes come true, or at least just this one."

The thing is, those words aren't just a tradition. The next morning, every wish - no matter how crazy - comes true. And most of them turn out bad. But once granted, a wish can't be unmade . . .

The Angel Tree by Daphne Benedis-Grab

The Angel Tree by Daphne Benedis-Grab - 246 pages

The town of Pine River has a unique holiday tradition.  Every year the Angel Tree is erected in the town square.  People are encourage to write their "wishes" on the tree and people from around town will grant those wishes.  Any wishes that are left over are taken care of by the Angel.  However, no one knows who the Angel is.  This year, four kids -- Cami, Lucy, Joe, and Max -- determine to discover who the angel is and thank them for granting their wishes.
I really, really liked this book.  It was a great holiday story with a lot of warmth and caring.  I picked this up as an ARC and will definitely be ordering it for the library.

The Art of Wishing by Lindsay Ribar

The Art of Wishing by Lindsay Ribar - 312 pages

Margo is shocked when the strange boy Oliver at school appears to her after she finds a ring in the girls' bathroom.  Turns out he is a genie and she gets three wishes.  And so starts a romance between Margo and Oliver.

I really liked this book until the ending.  My first thought was "Well that was crap" of the ending.  It actually made me wish I had not spent the time reading the book.  Up until that point I had liked the book.  It was different from other paranormal romances in that it had a genie.  I thought the setup of being careful of what you wish for was good.  It was just the ending that was bad.

If Wishes Were Horses by Anne McCaffrey

If Wishes Were Horses by Anne McCaffrey

Tirza has complete confidence in her mother's abilities to do anything.  Outfit her father and all the local knights to depart for war in less than 24 hours - done.  House and feed over 100 refugees in their home - done.  Hold a birthday ball for Tirza and her twin during war - done.  But how will she ever be able to find a horse for her brother's sixteenth birthday when all the horses are on the battlefield?  It's impossible -- or is it?
Anne McCaffrey wrote several short "fairy tales" - this is one of them.  I enjoyed the story.  I've always liked McCaffrey's writing style and this short novel is the perfect length for the tale to be told.