Introduction

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Years ago, a reclusive mega-bestselling children’s author quit writing under mysterious circumstances. Suddenly he resurfaces with a brand-new book and a one-of-a-kind competition, offering a prize that will change the winner’s life in this absorbing and whimsical novel.

“Clever, dark, and hopeful . . . a love letter to reading and the power that childhood stories have over us long after we’ve grown up.”—V. E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Washington Post, She Reads, Bookreporter

Make a wish. . . .

Lucy Hart knows better than anyone what it’s like to grow up without parents who loved her. In a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy found her solace in books, namely the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher’s aide, she is able to share her love of reading with bright, young students, especially seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who was left orphaned after the tragic death of his parents. Lucy would give anything to adopt Christopher, but even the idea of becoming a family seems like an impossible dream without proper funds and stability.

But be careful what you wish for. . . .

Just when Lucy is about to give up, Jack Masterson announces he’s finally written a new book. Even better, he’s holding a contest at his home on the real Clock Island, and Lucy is one of the four lucky contestants chosen to compete to win the one and only copy.

For Lucy, the chance of winning the most sought-after book in the world means everything to her and Christopher. But first she must contend with ruthless book collectors, wily opponents, and the distractingly handsome (and grumpy) Hugo Reese, the illustrator of the Clock Island books. Meanwhile, Jack “the Mastermind” Masterson is plotting the ultimate twist ending that could change all their lives forever.

. . . You might just get it.

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Discussion Questions

From the publisher - added by Pauline

The Wishing Game revolves around the Clock Island books that so many children
loved when they were growing up. Did reading this book remind you of when you fell
in love with reading? What was your favorite book (or book series!) as a child?

The themes of “family” and “parenthood” are woven throughout the novel. Discuss
each character’s experiences with family and how this impacts their decisions and
motivations.

Lucy, Hugo, Christopher, and Jack all struggle with deeply rooted fears. How does
each character face and overcome these?

Why do you think Jack Masterson recreated Clock Island in the real world? Why do
you think it wasn’t finished before the game?

The author sometimes pairs scenes from the Clock Island books with chapters of The
Wishing Game. Discuss how these two stories connect and why the author made this
stylistic choice to help tell her story.

So much of the novel deals with family, especially the idea of “found family.” What
do you think of the idea of “found families”? What do you think defines what “family”
really is? Who is in your family of choice?

Were you surprised by the outcome of the contest?

What do you make of Hugo’s comment to Jack that he “can’t save the world”? How
does Jack try to save everyone around him?

If you could travel to any fictional world, what would it be?

Who would you cast as each character in a movie adaption of The Wishing Game?

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