Member Reviews

Elementary School librarian with Middle School age children. I'm always looking for books that are age-appropriate for all the children.

When I saw one of my favorite authors had a new middle reader coming out, I had to read it! It certainly did not disappoint. This book was cute, thoughtful, + made me feel like I was a middle schooler again going through the same things I went through at that age.

I always love the elements of magic in her books and this one continued the tradition.

I will say I wish there was a little bit more of an ending. I understand that once they realized which wishes were coming true, it wrapped up the mystery. But I want to know what happened to Mom!

Thank you netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I’m sorry for requesting this book, not because it’s bad or anything, I’m pretty sure it isn’t, but because I’m not going to read it. I saw Lynn Painter and it was an insta-request on my part—I had no idea she was debuting in MG.

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4.25 stars !

This book was adorable! I have to admit—going in I was skeptical because this is Lynn Painter’s middle grade debut. But once again, as Emma Rockford would say, Lynn Painter has slayed once again with witty banter, crushes, relatable main characters, wrapped in magic!

I feel like so many middle schoolers will feel seen by Emma, whether if it’s the friend problems, crushes, parent divorce, missing grandparents, there’s something in it for every teen.

The pop-culture references weren’t forced and just the right amount! And the conflicts were added in a non-cringe way, so tweens are sure to enjoy.

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Getting to read Lynn Painter do middle grade was really a treat. It shows just how talented and versatile she is as a writer. I really felt the MG voice shine while reading. The story is an absolute delight. It's funny and heartwarming and all of the things you want in your MG novels. Highly recommended for younger readers.

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I will read literally anything Lynn Painter writes, and OF COURSE that includes her debut middle grade!!! This book was not only adorable, but also captivating and well-written to basically the level of her young adult novels, just with no swearing and PG hand-holding.

I absolutely love the premise of The Wish Switch: a world where a magical tree grants wishes every 4 years to only 4 special people in a small town, and must be accessed using a ritual involving many many fours. Our main character Emma is the leader amongst her friends to attain these magical wishes as they enter their seventh grade year—only the unimaginable happens: her friends earn their wishes, but the new weird kid Jackson seems to have earned Emma’s in a catastrophic turn of events.

Emma and Jackson must work together to solve why he is earning Emma’s wishes AND to stop the wishes before the fourth one is granted, a wish that would be amazing for Emma’s mom, but would ruin Jackson’s parent’s marriage. Suddenly Emma finds that her new neighbor isn’t annoying, but might be her best friend as her old friends deal with the new popularity their wishes grant.

I think Painter did an amazing job creating a magical world that sets her apart from classic middle-grade series like Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, Nevermoore, etc. Painter also sets up for potential sequels, which I look forward to reading if she goes ahead.

The Wish Switch is perfect for readers from 4-8 grades who enjoy magical realism, PG romance, and some classic hijinks.

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First, I want to thank NetGalley, Lynn Painter, and the publisher for an early copy of The Wish Switch. I think this was a pretty cute story and concept overall. I was really hoping to find something to recommend to my kids and their friends, especially since I have enjoyed some of Lynn Painter’s books in the past. However, I’m a little reluctant with this one. I am not sure if I would classify this as a true middle grade book because of the way the characters talk to each other and some of the conversations. It is more like an early YA book content wise with a middle grade writing style and vocabulary. I can appreciate the creativity of the storyline though and I will continue to read books by Lynn Painter in the future. 3 stars

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I'm a big Lynn Painter fan, but I definitely wondered, "Can she slay MG, too?" Is Lynn Painter a triple threat in the bookiverse? If The Wish Switch is any indication, the answer is a huge YES! This captivating story is full of adorable characters, witty banter, a memorable storyilne, and a satisfying ending. I loved the addition of a little magical realism, and a dash of faeries and portals. The interactions between our two leads is enough to keep the pages turning, but I loved all of the secondary characters, too. I think MG readers, and older readers, too, are going to absolutely love this book. Plus, the cover is A++, absolute perfection. If you love reading MG or are shopping for a MG reader, don't hesitate - pick up this book and race to the register.

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I cannot thank NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers enough for letting me receive an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5 🌟
You guys - am I shameless in that my Lynn Painter reviews basically act like a stan account? Yes, but what can I say?!? I love her writing so much, and The Wish Switch, her first middle grade release, is absolutely no exception. It is everything I love about Lynn Painter's writing (banter, absolutely ridiculous and hilarious situations, and heart) combines it with magic in a form that is shareable with a younger audience. I cannot wait to share this story with my 6th grader!

Emma and Jackson is somewhat of a rivals-to-lovers, then friends-to-lovers (but MIDDLE SCHOOL "lovers" which is more like crushes that eventually kiss) story filled with plenty of emotions around changing friendships, changing understandings of who you are as a person, and navigating jealousy of seeing others get what they desire while you feel left behind. I loved, loved, loved this story and devoured it. It is such a great example of how middle school kids feel invisible and entirely too visible all at the same time. Fantastic YA read!

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I was intrigued to see how Lynn Painter would do with middle grade fiction. It was a well written story. It was not what I expected so it took a minute to get into it but that was my fault. Cute story with a great set up for more.

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4.5
Wish Switch is not just about magical adventures and granted wishes. It is also a story of self-discovery, family, and friendship with a touch of romance. Emma is inspired by Nana Marie's magical wish journey and aims to follow it. Emma's quest leads her to understand who she is and who she isn’t, highlighting the importance of embracing one's true self. This book follows Emma and her friends as they face challenges and learn important lessons about identity, acceptance, and growth.
Wish Switch is a charming and heartwarming tale that will resonate with readers of all ages. Lynn Painter's storytelling captures the essence of childhood wonder and the magic of friendship. This book is a testament to the author's ability to weave an engaging and meaningful narrative that leaves a lasting impression.
Wish Switch is a delightful addition to Lynn Painter's collection of works, offering a captivating story that celebrates the enchantment of wishes and the journey of self-discovery. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a good tale of friendship and magic. I hope to see more middle grade books from Lynn Painter and especially more adventures with Emma and Jackson. Thanks to Little Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.

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If Lynn writes it, I read it. And DAMN DOES SHE HAVE RANGE. Adult? Check. YA? Check. Now middle grade? CHECK.

This is a middle grade magical realism-finding yourself in a tough age-kinda romance? Such a hard genre and niche but so needed! This is more about friendship and finding yourself in the midst of big, big change and how HARD and SCARY that is for a middle schooler.

While this is obviously much different than what I’m used to from Lynn (the no cussing and all lol), I was still actually really engaged and wanting to know how it all shakes out (per usual with her plots) despite it being middle grade. *buying for my friends MG kids*

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Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing this ARC. Lynn Painter is an auto buy author for me, and as soon as I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it. It’s a wonderful read for kids and really took me back to my school days. I enjoyed the adventure and liked both Emma and Jackson. This book is perfect for anyone seeking a quick, easy read.

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4 stars

Welcome to Lynn Painter's middle grade debut! If you know Painter's work, your expectations for this one are high. They'll be met and maybe even exceeded!

Emma has a wonderful grandmother, and when her grandmother passes away, one of the ways she lives on is through this charming tale she's shared with Emma about magical wishes. Of course, Emma can't resist giving the process a try, but when she does, the titular wish switch happens with a boy named Jackson. The two enthusiastically explore and attempt to correct the switch throughout the novel, which gives them a lot of time to get to know each other and themselves.

This is a fun, sweet, and thought provoking read that is fully appropriate for its target audience. It's well paced, engaging, and covers a number of themes and motifs that will help many readers connect to Emma and other characters.

I'm always excited about more books from Lynn Painter, but now, I'm extra excited for more middle grade!

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JUST A GIRL WHO WANTS HER WISHES BACK ! RIGHT ?!
•5 🌟
•In one word : INCREDIBLE!
•💛🩷💙💜
•Em had grandma called Nana Marie who believed in magic and wishes! ✨ She was always talking to Em and her brother Noah about legends.
•Em told her friends: Kennedy and Allie about the legends
• (Em always believed that her grandma was a grantee)
• On the fourth day of the fourth month, for four-hundred-forty-four faerie years, the lords granted four wishes to four Glinkonians.... ( And who would get the 4 wishes would be called a grantee)
•And guess what year it was ? It was the 444th year ( The Final Year )
•Em and her class are going on a school trip, and she and her friends come up with a plan to leave the class while they're having a break and run into the woods to throw their wishes into a hole...🕳️
•When they throw a piece of paper with 4 wishes written on it into the hole and step back 4 steps, they say to themselves :
"Four golden stones, four wishes planted.

I humbly request these four entreaties be granted.

By the power of four on the forest floor,

I seek to receive my wishes evermore.''

• And then..... YOU NEED TO WAIT ( for the book to came out..😶)
• Ahhh I loved this book even when it was about 2 middle schoolers
• @lynnpainterbooks it wasn't a dream right ?
( THIS REVIEW IS MINE I WROTE IT ON MY INSTAGRAM + Goodreads : _._.booklovers._._ )
Please DON'T copy anything!!

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I love Lynn Painter!!!!! She is my favorite author!!! Even though all of her stuff is romance, she is so versatile. I've read her middle-grade, YA, and adult books, and they're all perfect for their age groups. This one was adorable and cutesy!

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4.75 stars!✨
I thought this book was absolutely ADORABLE!! I always say Lynn can’t miss, and this book proved me right yet again. When I first saw that Lynn Painter was doing a middle grade book, I will admit I wasn’t convinced. But this was actually so cute, and something I would’ve loved in middle school (and now!)

This book follows Emma Rockford and the magical wish lore that has been accociated with her family for hundreds of years. One day, her and her friends sneak away from a field trip to make their wishes, but Emma’s get messed up when the pesky new kid Jackson literally throws a rock in her plan. So they have to work together to set their wishes right, or suffer the consequences.

I loved both Emma and Jackson as characters. They were so easy to love and root for, and watching their friendship grow was one of my favorite parts of the book.

Honestly, I would love to see a YA book following Emma and Jackson later on in their teen years! I feel like there is so much potential for them as Lynn’s next iconic young adult book couple. Even just a novella would be so fun!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an arc for this book! So grateful I got to read it early♥️

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I absolutely loved this book. Emma and Jackson are adorable and this book was the perfect amount of everything. Yes it's middle grade, but I think anyone who loves magic, Lynn Painter, and a little romance, and new friends, it is a great read. Thank you so much for the ARC from NetGalley.

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The wish switch is a great coming of age story for kids, First of all the writing style was fun and easy to get into , the plot was original and interesting, the characters were easy to relate to, however there were a few things I didn't like , for one the miscommunication in a few scenes, I didn't like that, but Overall this was a fun ,entertaining book. I give this book a 4.7 stars out of 5.

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This was a really fun book to read i really enjoyed it. I really loved how the story evolve and I really enjoyed the magical part of it

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4.25 stars!

The Wish Switch is a heartwarming story filled with loveable characters, whimsical adventures, and a touch of magic. Middle grade readers will relate easily to the characters, especially Emma. The touch of romance is perfect and appropriate for middle grade readers. As an educator, I struggle to find middle grade romances that will interest my students but are school appropriate at the same time. Lynn Painter nailed it! There is a perfect amount of fun banter and a very age appropriate kiss - my 5th grade girls will ADORE this story!

I’m a huge Lynn Painter fan and will read anything she writes! The Wish Switch will be a perfect addition to my classroom library. I can think of a number of students in my class who would fall in love with this story! I can’t wait to get it into the hands of my students.

Thank you so much to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for providing me this book in exchange for my honest review.

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