Maysonet, Melody. What We Wish For. Blackstone Publishing, 2024. 978-1-324-01992-3. 264 p. $16.99. Grades 9+.

Fifteen-year-old Layla Freeman lives with constant fear – fear that her mom is going to relapse, fear that her classmates will find out she lives in a homeless shelter, and fear that people will see how much their opinions matter to her.  When her mother overdoses, Layla is thrust into a new world, moving in with her affluent aunt and uncle. Initially, life seems to improve, with a new phone, new clothes, and new friends. This newfound stability begins to crack as family secrets emerge, threatening to unravel Layla’s newfound security and identity.

THOUGHTS: A realistic depiction of the effects of addiction on families, What We Wish For is a coming-of-age story about resilience, family, and the importance of hope. At times Layla can be difficult to like; some of her decisions, rooted in insecurities, are hard to witness. However, her growth throughout the novel had me rooting for both her and her mother by the end.

Realistic Fiction