Wish on a Unicorn - by Karen Hesse (Paperback)

About the Book

In this novel by a Newbery Medalist, Maggie feels burdened by her younger sister Hannie, who is slightly brain-damaged and believes that a toy unicorn has magical powers. After a crisis hits the family, Maggie realizes how special Hannie really is.

Book Synopsis

Now I didn't believe a broken-down old unicorn could make wishes come true . . . not for a minute. But what if it could?

Mags has a lot to wish for--a nice house with a mama who isn't tired out from work; a normal little sister; a brother who doesn't mooch for food; and, once in a while, she'd like some new clothes for school. When her sister Hannie finds a stuffed unicorn, Mags's wishes start to come true. She knows the unicorn can't really be magic, but she won't let anything ruin her newfound luck--even if it means telling her own sister to believe something that can't possibly be true.

From the Back Cover

Mags wishes she didn't live in a beat-up trailer and have to wear old clothes to school--but she knows better than to wish for things she can't have. Then her sister Hannie finds an old stuffed unicorn in Newell's field, and unbelievable things start to happen. Mags gets the new clothes she's always wanted, and feels popular, and pretty for the first time. Although she know that the unicorn can't really be magic, Mags doesn't want to lose her new friends--even if it means telling Hannie to believe in something that can't possibly come true....

Review Quotes

"The dogged struggle of the family in their trailer rings true . . . and no easy solution is offered. Kids will be moved by the burdens on the oldest girl, who resents adult responsibility and yet finds the loving strength to reach beyond her years." --Booklist

"With colorful regional language and clear psychological insight, Hesse's debut ranks with Betsy Byars's Pinballs and Cynthia Voight's Homecoming in describing families surviving as best they can under economic privation." --Publishers Weekly

"Hesse captures the spirits of a stalwart young heroine and her family." --School Library Journal

"A compassionate story of a poor family who are rich in solidarity and spirit." --Horn Book Guide

About the Author

Karen Hesse is the author of many books for young people, including Out of the Dust, winner of the Newbery Medal, Letters from Rifka, Brooklyn Bridge, Phoenix Rising, Sable and Lavender. She has received honors including the Scott O'Dell Historical Fiction Award, the Christopher Award, and the MacArthur Fellowship "Genius" Award, making her only the second children's book author to receive this prestigious grant. Born in Baltimore, Hesse graduated from the University of Maryland. She and her husband Randy live in Vermont.