About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels discouraged by the unfairness of the world or feels too small to make a difference. Set in a struggling Ohio town nicknamed If Only, the story follows three middle schoolers who discover that an old well seems to be granting wishes. It is a masterful exploration of how kindness and empathy can ripple through a community, transforming cynicism into hope. While it addresses real-world hardships like financial stress and bullying, it remains fundamentally optimistic and deeply comforting for kids ages 8 to 12. Parents will appreciate how it models proactive compassion and the idea that magic is often just people looking out for one another. It is a perfect choice for fostering emotional intelligence and a sense of agency in young readers.
