Young Adult Realistic Fantasy Novel
(Lessons Learned Growing Up)
Summary:
Miriam’s parents died in a car crash when she was almost 8 years old. Just as she settles into a new life with her aunt and uncle, they decide to leave to work at an orphanage in Kenya and Miriam has to move in with her Grandma. The night after her 12th birthday, she sees something that can’t be real – glowing writing on the attic door in her room. The message encourages her to open the door and behind it she finds a tropical island where some fairies tell her and some other orphans that they have been granted yearly wishes. She can listen to a message from her parents, make a wish and then come back each year to make another one. She will hear a final message from her parents if she comes back every year for six years. Her first wish is to have a lead part in the school musical so she can make friends. The magic only works for the wish if the child is also willing to work for the wish.
Each year, Miriam wishes for something to help her. Along the way, she learns lessons about hard work, friendship, trust and loyalty. Her parents also get to make a wish for her each year, but she won’t know what they wished until she comes to the island for the final time.
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Available in hardcover, paperback and Kindle version.
The Story Behind Orphan Wish Island:
One night as I was driving to pick up my daughter from dance, this street light flickered as I drove by.
A thought hit me …
There used to be more magic in the world. More smiles. More wonder.
There are a few who still believe, but even those have doubted.
The idea for a novel started … I imagined a girl who was reading in a room and when the street light flickered, writing appeared on the attic door in her room. When she opened the door, it would take her to a different world.
Orphan Wish Island is the first novel I plotted from start to finish. I had to figure out what was behind the door and then how the story work work through six years of the main character’s life.
Miriam’s parents died in a car crash when she was almost 8 years old. Just as she settles into a new life with her aunt and uncle, they decide to leave to work at an orphanage in Kenya and Miriam has to move in with her Grandma. The night after her 12th birthday, she sees something that can’t be real – glowing writing on the attic door in her room. The message encourages her to open the door and behind it she finds a tropical island where some fairies tell her and some other orphans that they have been granted yearly wishes. She can listen to a message from her parents, make a wish and then come back each year to make another one. She will hear a final message from her parents if she comes back every year for six years. Her first wish is to have a lead part in the school musical so she can make friends. The magic only works for the wish if the child is also willing to work for the wish. Each year, Miriam wishes for something to help her. Along the way, she learns lessons about hard work, friendship, trust and loyalty. Her parents also get to make a wish for her each year, but she won’t know what they wished until she comes to the island for the final time.
I pitched the book to several agents and after many “No”s, I heard back from another independent publisher – Histria Kids. They offered a larger reach through their catalog and were located on the same continent. They didn’t have editing services, so I hired an editor. Then, my paperback/ebook release was delayed as they changed from one catalog service to another. It is the first book I have in hardback, though. They have been very professional with the book.
Reviews of Orphan Wish Island:
“Very good book, I must admit I cried a lot and laughed some throughout the book. But another great book by Sarah Anne Carter. Now it’s my daughters turn to read it. Hoping she will like it just as much as I did.” – Amazon review
“Author Sarah Anne Carter’s head must be chock full of book ideas, as this is her third novel, and they are all so different! I’ve read them all! In this story, there is an element of fantasy (visiting an island for orphans that can be accessed through Miriam’s closet door only on her birthday) but also a healthy dose of reality as Miriam, the main character with a good heart, nevertheless makes some mistakes as she navigates school and friendships as she’s growing up. Both her many good choices and her few missteps teach valuable lessons that will impart wisdom to any teen who reads this clean book that can be enjoyed by adults and younger readers alike!” – Amazon review
“Really good read! This book will keep you on your toes wondering her next wish! Definitely makes you keep reading till your finished!” – Amazon review