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    Better to Wish
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    Better to Wish
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    Better to Wish
    Audiobook4 hours

    Better to Wish

    Written by Ann M Martin

    Narrated by Annalie Gernert and Lorna Raver

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Four generations. Four girls. One family.
    An amazing new four-book series from Ann M. Martin.


    In 1930, Abby Nichols is eight, and can't imagine what her future holds. The best things today would be having a dime for the fair, keeping her Pops from being angry, and saving up eighty-seven cents to surprise her little sister with a tea set for Christmas.

    But Abby's world is changing fast. Soon there will be new siblings to take care of, a new house to move into, and new friends to meet. But there will also be good-byes to say and hard choices to make. As Abby grows older, how will she decide what sort of life will fit her best?

    In this incredible new series, bestselling author Ann M. Martin brings the past and the present together one girlhood at a time and shows readers the way a family grows.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateApr 30, 2013
    ISBN9780804122313
    Unavailable
    Better to Wish
    Author

    Ann M Martin

    Ann M. Martin grew up in Princeton, New Jersey. After attending Smith College, where she studied education and psychology, she became a teacher at a small elementary school in Connecticut. Martin also worked as an editor of children’s books before she began writing full time. Martin is best known for the Baby-Sitters Club series, which has sold over one hundred seventy million copies. Her novel A Corner of the Universe won a Newbery Honor in 2003. In 1990, she cofounded the Lisa Libraries, which donates new children’s books to organizations in underserved areas. Martin lives in upstate New York with her three cats.

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    Reviews for Better to Wish

    4/5

    18 ratings4 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      This follows the story of Abby and her family who live in a small town in Maine during the Great Depression. Abby's father is not a pleasant person and her mother is fragile and weak. Abby is as you would expect a smart, strong heroine who has no problems standing up to him. The story follows Abby from age eight to age 22.

      I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this book. This is a solid piece of middle grade historical fiction. I say this having removed my nostalgia goggles. Abby goes through a lot for a relatively short book. I was not sure how Martin would handle the transition for pre-teen to teenager and adult because the Babysitters Club members are forever thirteen! The story progresses through describing events on specific dates.

      This is an e-galley from Netgalley.
    • 4/5
      The Good Stuff Very realistic and true to the time period (warning some of it is quite sad and may be hard for the more sensitive reader but it is written beautifully and appropriate for the age level) Abby is a strong willed likeable character that you will cheer for Loved the relationship between Abby and Rose Moral issues are done in a non preachy way which is an impressive feat for middle grade fiction Will encourage readers to learn more about this period of history Liked the slice of life and how the series will go through 4 generations of women. Reminded me a little of a series by Phillappa Carr that I read when I was a teen. This type of series really appeals to me All of the characters feel very real and act appropriately for this period of time Looking forward to reading the rest of the series Lovely use of humourThe Not So Good Stuff Jumpy at times Father is a misogynistic racist jerkFavorite Quotes/Passages "Long years later, when Abby was old, very old, she liked to recall this evening. Not because Rose had lost her dime, of course, but because it was pleasant to dwell in this time when losing a dime was the biggest worry she and Rose faced. They hadn't yet learned that it was better not to know what was waiting for them around the corner.""When we grow up," said Sarah, "we should tell our husbands that we have to live next door to each other so that we can see each other every single day and our children can be best friends, too."Who Should/Shouldn't Read Great book for middle grade girls who are not into the paranormal Some more sensitive middle graders might want to stay away as it deals with darker subject matter like mental issues, racism, death and depression Fans of the babysitter's club will enjoy this series as the writing style is the same and highlights the importance of friendships4.5 Dewey'sI received this from Scholastic in exchange for an honest review
    • 3/5
      This story takes place in Maine during the Depression telling of a young family and their difficulties. In truth it could have taken place anywhere. The family was poor but the father was hardworking.The characters were very stereotypical as were the issues that the addressed - health, neighbors, schooling, etc.Sorry to say that this Ann Martin book just didn't live up to the same level as her Doll People series. I was very disappointed.
    • 3/5
      This is the story of an elderly woman who is looking back at her youth though this is never mention again after the prologue. This book has far more sadness, separation, death and bigotry than humor and joy. Even the end that is supposed to be joyful rings hollow to me. Young adult fiction does not have to be all cuddly puppies but this book is morose in spots. I can not believe that this author's Babysitter's Club had this kind of lack of joy and humor. Perhaps the goal was to make young people feel better about their own lives. The other problem is the episodic nature of the book which many times skips ahead six months to a year between chapters - this is the author's choice but I felt we were rushing to get to a certain stage of the main character's life before the book ended.. Maybe book two in the series will be more upbeat but read this one on a rainy day.