Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
32(32%)
4 stars
33(33%)
3 stars
35(35%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
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I just completed reading this particular piece to a 6th grade class, and let me tell you, we all derived a great deal of enjoyment from it.

Personally, I had never come across this text before. However, it managed to hold the attention of the students, which is no small feat when dealing with 6th graders.

Their eyes were fixed on me as I read, and I could sense their genuine interest.

It was truly a wonderful experience to see how engaged they were with the story.

I'm sure they will remember this reading session for a long time to come.

It just goes to show that a good piece of literature can have a powerful impact on young minds.

I'm looking forward to sharing more such interesting reads with them in the future.
July 15,2025
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Coven Tree is a tiny village located somewhere in New England. It gets its name from a huge, gnarled tree in the surrounding area where covens of witches once convened. The local storekeeper, Stewart Meade, affectionately known as “Stew Meat” by the locals, shares the tale of the mysterious Thaddeus Blinn. He sets up a tent at the town’s church social and sells tickets, promising to grant any wish for just fifty cents.

Stewart purchases one of the tickets, and so do three young individuals. Eleven-year-old Polly Kemp has the habit of speaking her mind, which unfortunately leads people to ignore her. She desires for folks to pay attention to her. Fifteen-year-old Rowena Jervis is in love with the traveling salesman Henry Piper and wishes for him to settle down in Coven Tree. Sixteen-year-old Adam Fisk’s family resides on a farm that is as dry as a desert. He has to haul water from a distant stream and wishes for water to be abundant all over the place. What exactly do Polly, Rowena, and Adam each wish for? How will their wishes come true? And what steps can they take to address any issues that may arise from those wishes?

This story, which was honored as a Newbery Honor Book in 1984, exemplifies the old saying, “Be careful what you wish for because you may get it.” Several colloquial euphemisms such as “tarnation,” “consarn you,” “goldurn,” and “dad-blast” are employed. However, the most significant aspect that some people might object to is the evident references to “magic.” One reviewer noted, “There is an eerie side to the book, but fortunately it remains subdued.” There is nothing blatantly scary or terrifying, but although the occult connection may be toned down, it is clearly present. If one doesn't mind this or is willing to overlook it, the book offers both entertaining humor and some instructive moral lessons.
July 15,2025
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The Wish Giver is set in a rather featureless and timeless Small Town USA.

It commences with a lively town fair. Amid the hustle and bustle, four distinct characters - Polly, Rowena, Adam, and Stew Meat - find themselves drawn to a mysterious tent.

Intrigued, they each pay 50 cents to obtain a wish card.

However, as soon as they begin to make their wishes, unforeseen and unintended consequences start to unfold.

The book blatantly moralizes its central point, which is to be cautious about what one wishes for.

The individual stories about each of their predicaments are indeed cute and charming.

Nevertheless, it didn't possess anything overly compelling or captivating.

Rather, it serves as a simple and easy bedtime read that can gently lull you to sleep.

It's a light-hearted tale that offers a bit of entertainment and a moral lesson, but perhaps not one that will leave a lasting impression.

Overall, it's a pleasant enough read for those looking for a quick and uncomplicated story to unwind with at the end of the day.

July 15,2025
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I probably would have enjoyed this more as a child.

It was an okay experience overall. The story did have a bit of a heavy-handed approach when it came to delivering the "be careful what you wish for" message. However, I firmly believe that kids would still find it quite likable.

The vivid characters and the engaging plot would surely capture their attention. Even though the moral was perhaps a bit too obvious, it might still serve as a valuable lesson for them.

Kids often have wild imaginations and love stories that involve magic and wishes. This particular tale, despite its slight flaw in the messaging department, could still be a hit among the younger audience.

It has the potential to spark their creativity and make them think about the consequences of their desires.

All in all, while it may not be a masterpiece, it has enough charm and substance to appeal to children.
July 15,2025
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It is a good book.

This book has many remarkable qualities that make it truly outstanding.

The story it tells is engaging and captivating, drawing the reader in from the very first page.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy for the reader to form an emotional connection with them.

The writing style is流畅 and easy to understand, yet also rich and descriptive, painting a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

Additionally, the book offers valuable insights and lessons that can be applied to real life.

It makes the reader think and reflect, and perhaps even inspires them to make positive changes in their own lives.

Overall, this is a book that is well worth reading and one that will leave a lasting impression on the reader.
July 15,2025
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The book “The Wish Giver” presents three captivating stories of three distinct wishes, each of which brings numerous troublesome consequences for the wishers.

The “wish giver” has the power to grant any wish one can conceive and travels far and wide across the world fulfilling people's desires.

One fine day, three kids find themselves at a town festival. Amidst the various attractions, they discover a mysterious tent that doesn't seem to draw much attention as it appears to be a bit of a scam. However, the curious kids decide to give it a try and wager most of the money they have for the festival on the wishes. The wish giver hands the kids a card that can grant any one of their wishes. Skeptical as they are, they take the cards and head home, unaware that they will receive not only their wishes but also much more than they anticipated.

I wholeheartedly recommend the book “The Wish Giver” to people of all ages. It is a truly wonderful tale that involves magic men, girls who make strange croaking sounds, and boys who are wished into becoming vegetation. It is an excellent read for those who have a penchant for adventure as well as mystery. It combines these elements perfectly. Although the story follows a somewhat predictable pattern - a strange little man comes to town offering wishes, which don't go as planned, and everyone learns a valuable lesson in the end - it is written with such charm and wit that the predictability actually enhances the story.

I would rate this story a solid 4/5.
July 15,2025
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Still as good as I remembered.

My third grade teacher read this novel to the whole class. It was an experience that left a lasting impression on me. The story of Henry Piper was so captivating and filled with such unexpected twists and turns that it truly appalled me.

From the very beginning, I was drawn into Henry's world, and as the events unfolded, I found myself on the edge of my seat. The way the author described the characters and their emotions made them come alive in my mind.

Even after all these years, the story has stuck with me forever. It is a testament to the power of a well-written novel. I highly recommend this story to anyone looking for a great read to share with their family. It will surely spark discussions and create memories that will last a lifetime.

July 15,2025
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I truly loved this book as it presents numerous great learning scenarios that are highly applicable in the classroom setting.

The choices made by the children and the corresponding consequences of those choices offer an excellent opportunity for a valuable lesson to be incorporated into the classroom curriculum.

I particularly liked the way each child's wish and its consequence were vividly highlighted through their individual stories. This not only makes the learning more engaging but also allows students to better understand the cause-and-effect relationship.

Moreover, the way the wishes that went wrong were "fixed" by the last wish is a point that can be explored from both positive and negative perspectives in the classroom. It can spark discussions about problem-solving, the importance of considering the consequences before making a wish, and how even when things go wrong, there is often a way to make amends or find a solution.

Overall, this book has the potential to enhance students' learning and understanding in a variety of ways, making it a great resource for the classroom.
July 15,2025
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This book was truly an enjoyable read!

From the very beginning, it captured my attention and held it firmly.

I found myself completely immersed in its pages, eager to discover what would happen next.

Although I did not manage to finish it, I was so close, with only a few pages remaining.

It's a testament to how engaging the story was that I was reluctant to put it down.

I can't wait to pick it up again and finally reach the end to see how the story concludes.

I'm sure it will be a satisfying ending that ties up all the loose ends and leaves me with a sense of fulfillment.

This book has definitely made it onto my list of favorites, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read.
July 15,2025
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If you could wish for anything - what would you wish for? This is a question that has intrigued people for ages.

Three young people thought they had the best wish for them. One wished for eternal happiness, believing that it would bring a constant state of joy and contentment. Another wished for unlimited wealth, imagining all the luxurious things and opportunities it would afford. The third wished for the power to heal all diseases, hoping to make a significant difference in the world and relieve the suffering of countless people.

However, as they thought more about their wishes, they realized that there were potential drawbacks and complications. What if eternal happiness made them take things for granted and lose the ability to appreciate the small joys in life? What if unlimited wealth led to greed and isolation? What if the power to heal all diseases came with unforeseen consequences or responsibilities?

It is interesting to think about the implications of our wishes and how they might not always turn out as we expect. This simple thought experiment serves as a reminder to carefully consider what we truly desire and the potential impact it could have on our lives and the lives of others.
July 15,2025
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I read this book on the recommendation of one of my students.

She said it was one of her favorite books growing up, so she passed it along for me to read. I had never heard of it before, which made me extremely curious about what exactly made her like it so much.

Unlike my usual habit, I didn't read any synopsis or reviews about what the book was about. All I knew was that it was a fantasy and from the title, it seemed to have something to do with wishes.

As I delved into Polly's story, it was really interesting to slowly realize that this book was going to be a valuable lesson in "be careful what you wish for". I thought the author's writing was very good.

I particularly liked how the author seamlessly transitioned from Polly's story to Rowena's story and then to Adam's story, and finally connected them all back to Stew Meat's story, who was the narrator.

Although Stew Meat refers to it as the "evil" that befell their town, I think it's great that all three kids learned important lessons that ultimately helped them grow and mature.

Polly's rant at Stew Meat at the end also brought a smile to my face. Overall, it might not be a 5-star book for me, but I truly enjoyed it and it's wonderful to see an old story like this still stand the test of time.

It makes me appreciate the power of good storytelling and how it can touch the hearts of readers across generations.
July 15,2025
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Cute book.

I hadn't realized it was written in 1983 before I was born.

While reading it, I was reminded of the goosebumps little books about wishing things that don't come out as planned.

So maybe this book was the inspiration for one of R L Stein's books.

It's really interesting to think about how an older book could have influenced a more well-known author.

The concept of an old-time carnival wish being granted, where the words chosen for the wish must be very carefully selected, adds an element of mystery and excitement.

It makes me wonder what kind of wishes people would make and what kind of consequences they might face.

Overall, this book seems like a fun and engaging read that could appeal to both children and adults.

It has a unique premise that sets it apart from other books in the same genre.

I'm looking forward to seeing where the story takes me.
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