Families who loved When You Wish Upon a Lantern by Gloria Chao often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your teenager is feeling the mounting pressure of high school expectations, navigating the loss of a grandparent, or struggling to reconcile their personal dreams with family traditions. It is a tender, realistic story about two former best friends, Liya and Kai, who reconnect to secretly grant wishes for customers of Liya's family lantern shop. As they work together to save the struggling business, they must navigate a long-standing family feud and their own unspoken feelings. It offers a thoughtful look at cultural identity, the weight of grief, and the courage it takes to advocate for one's own happiness. It is perfectly suited for readers aged 12 and up who enjoy stories about finding magic in everyday kindness.