Author Daniel Harvell has recently published his first novel in a new series titled “Wishing Will.” This great read has relatable characters, which is great for its target audience, middle-grade readers, especially kids. His story centers on a chubby teenager named Will Cricket who has found the secret to making a wish come true. Searching the Internet, Will discovers a legend that says that on November 11 at 11:11 am and 11:11 pm a wish can be granted.

When Will puts this theory to the test, he finds that it worked, but it also attracted some very strange and colorful onlookers. Will learns that this cast of unusual characters are literally stars of an intergalactic group called Sky Castle Network Enterprises or better known as SCENE. After careful observation and discussion with Will, they decide to grant his wish. The problem is that he has to do something for them. He has to grant wishes to those in need. Unfortunately, it will be those same children who will annoy him and make his life miserable. On top of that, there are many rules and regulations that he will have to learn before his wish is granted.

The will receives powers. And while he focuses on his new abilities, he still has to deal with family problems at home, bullies at school, and a villain, basically an evil genius, who wants to destroy humans and take over the world of SCENE. When Will discovers that his grandmother has been kidnapped by the genie, that dilemma adds to a lot of things to do. Will Will be able to control his powers, grant the required wishes, save his grandmother and two worlds without breaking any rules?

“Wishing Will” has everything to engage boys and even girls. There’s humor, adventure, school pranks, and even a nasty villain. Harvell prides himself on being diligent in following his dream of writing. According to Harvell, “Like many writers, I have ideas for books and I just have to get them published. There’s something extremely rewarding about having your story come ‘real’ on the computer screen and then on print.”

If you know a child who won’t pick up a book, then it’s worth introducing them to “Wishing Will” for a fun read. This is also a book and a great opportunity for parents, teachers and caregivers to open a dialogue about bullying, family and social problems that take place at school. Parents and teachers can also use this book to read aloud.