Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
A mysterious bracelet brings surprises in kind story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Becca's birthday is coming up in BEST WISHES, which is terrible timing for Harper to suddenly tell her she doesn't want to be best friends anymore. Feeling sad and alone, Becca opens an anonymous gift with a note that instructs her to wear the bracelet and make a wish. Suddenly, everyone at school wants to be friends with her: kids she was too shy to approach were asking her to sit with them at lunch, her teacher was cheerful about missing homework, and even Harper wants to hang out again. At home, her older brother is nice to her and her mom agrees to let her get a phone and a social media account. Friends are popping up everywhere and Becca has never felt more accepted and popular -- or more overwhelmed. Soon she finds out the limits of the bracelet's magic and her own priorities.
Is It Any Good?
With empathy, hope, and a little angst all swirling in a friend group, there's a lot to love about the magic a mysterious bracelet brings to a lonely girl. Best Wishes is a light touch on some tough topics, including social insecurities, loneliness, honesty, and awkwardness. Readers can relate to so many of Becca's feelings -- and probably those of the people around her, too. The characters have some depth, and things get interesting when Becca starts being honest with herself and her parents. The mystery of the bracelet and whether or not it has any real magic is a lovely thread to follow.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what they would ask for if they received a bracelet like Becca did in Best Wishes. What would be your first three wishes?
What did Becca lear when her wish started to get out of control? How did she learn to communicate better? How did her friendships change?
What might you have wished for when you were younger that probably wouldn't have been a good thing?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Empathy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Press
- Publication date : September 6, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 192
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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