Official Review: Andi Makes a Wish! by Meg Kimball

[bookowlie]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Andi Makes a Wish!" by Meg Kimball.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Andi Makes a Wish! by Meg Kimball is the 5th installment in the Advice Avengers series. The first four installments were published together as the book Forever Twelve; they are also available as stand-alone volumes. Since I loved Forever Twelve, the latest entry in this Young Adult series caught my eye.

Thirteen-year-old Andi lives with her father and chain-smoking Aunt Berry. Her mother Hilary lives in a halfway house, as a recovering alcoholic. When Hilary informs her that she is going away for a while, Andi is full of resentment. She wishes her mother could be more like her best friend Corey’s mom, who is the coolest mom ever. When a church assistant invites Andi to a meditation group he belongs to, she decides to try a session in the hopes of dealing with her anger issues. This leads to some interesting, almost magical situations.

There is much to like in this story. Serious issues are explored, yet there is a dose of whimsy often sprinkled in to lighten the mood. The author realistically portrays Andi as being upset about not having the stereotypical perfect mother. Teenage girls tend to be sensitive and feel things deeply. It was interesting how Andi always referred to her mother as Hilary. This was an effective way of showing that Hilary didn’t live up to Andi’s expectations of what a mother should be like.

The author has a natural, flowing writing style that is easy to understand. That isn’t to say the writing is simplistic; in fact, there are enough interesting words and creative phrases in this book to satisfy serious, as well as light, readers. Andi’s thoughts and reactions are exactly how a teenage girl would act. During a guided visualization, Andi’s first thought is, “It’s as if the sofa is eating me whole and I’m perfectly willing to be eaten alive by the furniture." The descriptions in this book are particularly vivid. A flashback of an event from Andi’s childhood is realistically written and heartbreaking. The long scar on her finger is a subtle way of informing the reader of the gravity of Andi's childhood experiences.

There are also many light-hearted moments throughout this book. Andi’s friends Tyler and Bruce pull a Turbulent Turkey prank that is hilarious. When Andi’s phone rang in church after the initial prank, I laughed out loud. Andi’s funny, surreal visit with the guidance counselor is also a standout.

My criticisms are few and didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the story. There is a detailed passage about a Judge Judy episode that felt like it was three pages too long. Other than that, the story moves along at a good pace. Also, I would have liked it if Andi’s father was more prominently featured, particularly since Andi was so upset about her mother.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Andi is a multi-dimensional character and I became completely absorbed in her story. I would recommend this book to tweens and teenagers who like reading books about girls navigating the waters of “teendom”. Adults would also enjoy this likeable crew. I mean, how can you not like a book with a main character who wears rainbow toe socks and unicorn shirts?

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Andi Makes a Wish!
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[zeldas_lullaby]

OMG, thank you BookOwlie!! I love this review! Thank you so much! You're a wonderful reviewer! THANK YOU!!

[bookowlie]

Now you need to write more books focusing on Corey, my favorite character. I also want a book about Mrs. Lawrence - she needs to date a perfect man because she is so perfect! And....don't forget to write a book about Aunt Berry - it can be "Aunt Berry Tries to Cut Down to a Pack a Day - ha ha ha.

[zeldas_lullaby]

HA HA HA... I think you'll like the content of 6 and 7--both are about Corey! And yeah, Corey's mom finds love during a meteorological event... coming soon!

No, I like that idea! "Aunt Berry tries to cut down to a pack a day." In each chapter, she could give up one more cigarette. Now you're on the ball, BookOwlie!

[bookowlie]

I still think Mrs. Lawrence should get together with Mr. Greene - she and the science-obsessed doctor could chat about science trivia while making cookies.

[bluemel4]

Very through and light hearted review. I feel like you have captured the essence of the book even though I have not read it. I love that Meg is sticking with the same group of characters and continuing in the fictional world she has created.

[bookowlie]

Very through and light hearted review. I feel like you have captured the essence of the book even though I have not read it. I love that Meg is sticking with the same group of characters and continuing in the fictional world she has created.

You mean it's a fictional world, not the real world? That's what I get for becoming so absorbed in a book.
ha ha ha

[gali]

Sounds like an awesome book! Thank you for the lovely and interesting review.

[zeldas_lullaby]

Thank you all! Bluemel, creating a series felt so right, ya know?

BookOwlie, I'm sorry, but it isn't going to happen.

-- 12 Jun 2015, 14:23 --

(And I say that with as much love as possible!)

[bookowlie]

Thank you all! Bluemel, creating a series felt so right, ya know?

BookOwlie, I'm sorry, but it isn't going to happen.

-- 12 Jun 2015, 14:23 --

(And I say that with as much love as possible!)

I have no idea what you're talking about....maybe that it's a fictional world? Isn't that why they call it fiction - ha ha ha.
It's all good, fiction or real.

[zeldas_lullaby]

Thank you all! Bluemel, creating a series felt so right, ya know?

BookOwlie, I'm sorry, but it isn't going to happen.

-- 12 Jun 2015, 14:23 --

(And I say that with as much love as possible!)

I have no idea what you're talking about....maybe that it's a fictional world? Isn't that why they call it fiction - ha ha ha.
It's all good, fiction or real.

HA HA... no, I'm just saying that Mrs. Lawrence and Dr. Greene won't be getting together. I have other, more sinister plans for the both of them!

[PashaRu]

Thanks for a well written review. Sounds like a charming book, but dealing with some real-life issues at the same time.

@zeldas_lullaby Congratulations on a four-star review!

[zeldas_lullaby]

Thanks for a well written review. Sounds like a charming book, but dealing with some real-life issues at the same time.

@zeldas_lullaby Congratulations on a four-star review!

Thank you!!!

[bookowlie]

Sounds like an awesome book! Thank you for the lovely and interesting review.

Thanks Gali! It's was particularly awesome for me as I had already read the previous book, Forever Twelve.

-- 12 Jun 2015, 18:38 --

Thanks for a well written review. Sounds like a charming book, but dealing with some real-life issues at the same time.

@zeldas_lullaby Congratulations on a four-star review!

Thanks Pasha! Even without the real-life issues, the funny parts are worth the price of admission. The main question, though, is....does it butter your biscuit?

[zeldas_lullaby]

Thank you, BookOwlie! I was hoping your dancing bananas would make an appearance?

PashaRu, is it your cup of tea? HA HA HA.