Grace, a seventeen-year-old pianist, lives in a state of constant instability due to her mother’s recurring habit of moving them to follow new romantic partners. Now back in a small coastal town, Grace plans her secret audition for a prestigious music school in New York City to escape this cycle. She begins a relationship with Eva, a girl grieving the recent death of her mother, and the two find common ground in their family struggles. The narrative focuses on Grace’s realization that she cannot fix her mother’s impulsive behavior or emotional volatility while pursuing her own artistic future.
This book is written for young adult readers interested in realistic depictions of parent-child role reversal and the weight of emotional labor in families. It serves those looking for stories about queer identity that focus on personal growth rather than just the act of coming out. Readers understand how to set boundaries with toxic family members and see a depiction of how healthy friendships provide the support system necessary to leave a damaging home environment and follow a professional ambition.
Insights from How to Make a Wish
“I was tired of being the anchor for someone who didn't want to stay on the ground.”
Grace spends her life packing boxes for her mother's whims. Seeing her finally want a stable home of her own felt deeply personal.
“Maybe we’re all just a little bit broken in the same places.”
The way Grace and Eva bond over their broken parts is so quiet. They don't fix each other. They just make the weight easier to carry.
Maggie is a mother who acts like a child. Watching Grace have to be the adult in the room is heartbreaking and very real.
“The ocean doesn't care if you're sad. It just stays.”
The beach scenes felt like a safe harbor for once. Grace finally found a place where she wasn't waiting for the other shoe to drop.
- Published
- 2017
- Publisher
- HMH Books for Young Readers
- ISBN
- 9781328698957
