Raven misses her best friend, who has moved away, and dreads giving an oral report in class without her. Stumbling upon a wishing well, she tumbles into the Wish Library, where she wishes for school to be closed on report day and signs a long, foreboding document promising to return her wish on time. The following day, a freak snowstorm cancels school, and Raven rejoices. The next morning, despite challenges, she succeeds in returning her wish, making a friend, and even overcoming her fear of public speaking. With attractive, colorful cover art as well as an appealing black-and-white picture or decorative element on every double-page spread, this transitional chapter book has a kid-friendly look. Elements of fantasy add a bit of sparkle to this nicely paced, fundamentally realistic narrative.

Gr 1-3 Second grader Raven Rose dreads doing her "Voices from History" project without her best friend, who moved away. After wishing that "something magical could happen" to cancel the presentation, she stumbles upon a coin, makes a wish, tosses the coin into an old well, and is ushered into the mysterious Wish Library. Greeted by a towering cloaked librarian with a bearded dragon on her shoulder, Raven tours the library full of wishes such as superpowers, puppies, and baby sisters, along with banishments and curses. Before signing a wish contract for school to be canceled, the librarian warns Raven of the consequences of not returning the wish on time. Test tube in hand, Raven carries out the instructions and the next morning, she finds a freak snow storm has resulted in school being canceled. What begins as a thrilling wish come true soon becomes a nightmare as more snow continues to fall and jeopardize the lives of people and animals in her California town. With fewer than 100 pages and plenty of illustrated support, newly independent readers will relate to the idea of a wild wish come true while finding humor in the imposing librarian and the antics created by too much snow paired with a relatable female character who needs extra confidence. Raven is depicted with light skin and dark brown hair. VERDICT A perilous journey on skis, an encounter with escaped zoo animals, and a new neighbor who becomes a friend all add up to a pleasing package in this series debut. Ramarie Beaver, formerly at Plano P.L., TX