Meg Shaffer's The Wishing Game receives praise for its enchanting premise and engaging narrative. Readers appreciate its well-developed characters and emotional depth. However, some find the plot predictable and the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a heartfelt story that resonates with many, despite minor flaws.

The ideal reader for Meg Shaffer's The Wishing Game enjoys whimsical, character-driven stories with a touch of fantasy and adventure. Fans of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus will find this book enchanting due to its imaginative world-building and engaging plot.

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer follows Lucy Hart's determined journey to adopt a boy named Christopher, hampered by financial constraints. She enters a contest devised by famous children's author Jack Masterson to win an unpublished manuscript, facing various challenges and competitors on a magical island, where she encounters themes of found families, storytelling, and personal sacrifice. The novel depicts and discusses statutory rape, child abuse, neglect, and trauma.

Heartwarming / Emotional / Inspirational / Fantastical / Adventurous

**Lucy Hart**  
A dedicated teacher’s aide from California striving to adopt Christopher, a student from her school, while managing her financial challenges and personal growth.

**Jack Masterson**  
A famous children's book author living on Clock Island, who creates a contest integral to the narrative and sees Lucy and other contestants as his honorary family.

**Hugo Reese**  
An accomplished illustrator and artist known for illustrating Jack's books, whose complicated past intertwines with his growing relationship with Lucy.

**Christopher Lamb**  
A young, hopeful student with a deep connection to Lucy, who dreams of being adopted by her following the loss of his parents.

**Andre Watkins**  
A competent lawyer and fellow contestant in Jack's contest, known for his perseverance and friendly competition with Lucy.

**Dustin Gardner**  
A doctor and contestant in Jack's contest who faces personal financial challenges and whose actions affect his standing in the competition.

**Melanie Evans**  
A contestant and bookshop owner who competes alongside Lucy and Andre, facing her own business struggles.

**Theresa**  
Lucy’s supportive best friend and colleague, providing encouragement and aiding Lucy in her personal endeavors.

Meg Shaffer

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Overview

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The Wishing Game Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Wishing Game Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Make a Wish”

Prologue-Part 1

The Wishing Game Prologue-Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Tick-Tock. Welcome to the Clock”

Part 2 The Wishing Game Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Riddles and Games and Other Strange Things”

Part 3 The Wishing Game Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Face Your Fears, My Dears”

Part 4 The Wishing Game Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “One Last Little Question”

Part 5 The Wishing Game Part 5 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Wishing Game Character Analysis

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Themes

The Wishing Game Themes

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The Wishing Game Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Wishing Game Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Wishing Game Essay Topics

Book Club Questions

The Wishing Game Book Club Questions

The Wishing Game

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