By Stephanie Tolan

Third-grader Max is not too pleased with is life. His parents have divorced, he has moved to a new, smaller home where he can’t have a dog, and there are bullies at his school. But Max loves to escape by “daydreaming” as his Dad calls it, or “Adventure Time” as Max prefers to think of it. He relaxes in his bed, or even at school during boring math sessions, and imagines himself on heroic adventures with a big, loyal, intelligent dog named King. On one adventure, Max ends up in a strange shop where he can buy wishes, and the wish he makes there actually comes true. Unfortunately, it isn’t exactly what he hoped for, and Max endures some big disappointments before learning how to make the “exactly right” wish for him and his family. Kids who have enjoyed the Magic Tree House series but are looking for something a little longer might enjoy Wishworks, Inc. It also reminded me Bruce Coville’s “Magic Shop” series with Jennifer Murdley’s Toad, Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher, and Juliet Dove, Queen of Love – fun, exciting fantasy books.
Reviewed by Jennifer