“The Wishing Game” is a grown up version of the riddle novels I grew up on, and it had me happy crying and nostalgic. I could tell this was a five star read for me right away; I always love books about books. The main character, Lucy has been invited to Clock Island to compete for the manuscript of the final book of the famed series. Winning the competition would allow Lucy to foster-to-adopt Christopher, a student she works with who lost both his parents. On the island Lucy meets (or reencounters) the writer of the series, Jack Masterson, and his illustrator, Hugo, and I certainly fell in love with both men on her behalf. I can’t speak highly enough about this novel. I adored the found family, the lovable characters, and the nostalgia. Without spoiling anything this novel does have resolution of conflict that isn’t realistic, but I believe this escapism furthered the novel’s themes. Ultimately this is a book about children using books to escape reality, to fulfill their wishes, and as a little girl who once did that and still does today, it warmed my heart.