AS YOU WISH, by Nashae Jones, Aladdin, Jan. 14, 2025, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 10 and up)
A West African god makes life tricky for a girl who wishes for a boyfriend in As You Wish, an upper middle-grade novel by Nashae Jones.
Birdie has big plans for eighth grade. This is the year that she gets a boyfriend, and since she and her best friend, Deve, do everything together, it makes sense that Deve will get a girlfriend. This is the kind of math Birdie doesn’t find intimidating—it’s Eighth Grade 101. (Birdie + Boyfriend) + (Deve + Girlfriend) = Normal Eighth Grade Experience. And normal is something Birdie craves, especially with a mom as overprotective as hers.
She doesn’t expect Deve to be so against her plan, or for their fight to blow up in her face. So, when the West African god Anansi appears to her, claiming to be able to make everything right again, Birdie pushes past her skepticism and makes a wish for the whole mess to go away. But with a trickster god, your wish is bound to come true in a way you never imagined.
Before long, Birdie regrets her rash words…especially when she realizes what’s really going on with her and Deve. With her reality upended, can Birdie figure out how to undo her wish? —Synopsis provided by Aladdin
As You Wish is an upper middle-grade, lower YA rom-com that will appeal to readers who are starting to think about some friends as romantic interests.
Author Nashae Jones is dialed in to her audience. She provides a good mix of humor and attraction. Her writing is easy and assured and her characters well developed.
Birdie is a relatable protagonist, and it’s fun to see her relationship with Deve evolve.
The plot of As You Wish is clearly telegraphed to readers, so there aren’t many “surprise” moments, but it’s enjoyable nonetheless.
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