The Genie Scheme - Softcover

Kimberly K. Jones is the author of Sand Dollar Summer, which earned two starred reviews, was named a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, and was chosen by Booklist as one of the Top Ten First Novels for Youth. She lives in Monkton, Vermont. Visit her online at kimberlykjones.com.

Grade 4–6—Janna, 12, desperately wants to win the lottery so she and her mother can have a decent car, she can have a wardrobe to rival schoolmate Elizabeth Newby's, and her mother wouldn't have to worry so much about money. What she gets instead, through a random act of kindness, is a bag-lady genie. Janna soon learns that wishes come with a price, and that material possessions don't lead to the happiness she expected. With her genie's "genie wattage" dangerously low, Janna has one wish left that she wants to make count, and have an effect on the world. The novel contains many amusing moments and it drives home the message that giving of oneself is the secret to happiness. The story is at times predictable and falters toward the end with a rushed, contrived conclusion. However, readers will have an enjoyable time getting to that point.—Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY
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