THE WISHING GAME

Rachel Jacobs delivers an emotionally connected performance of Meg Shaffer's tender story. Teacher's aide Lucy finds love in Christopher, a young orphan she wants to foster. But, sadly, she is too poor to qualify as a foster parent. Jack Masterson, author of a wildly popular children's series known as the Clock Island books, suddenly stopped writing years ago. Hugo Reese, the talented illustrator of the series, has demons of his own. The three come together when Masterson unexpectedly writes another installment, starting a contest for rights to the book. Jacobs uses tone to good effect, distinguishing between young and old, male and female. She highlights the characters' affection and heartaches in a warm, unhurried narration. Paul Boehmer somberly interjects chapters from the original Clock Island book. S.G. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2023]