Overweight Wrenn Scott desperately wants to be popular and snag a hot boyfriend. Living with her single mom and younger sister, Karly, she lands a lead role in the high school musical, her voice for once overshadowing her weight. Pushing to get thinner by opening night, Wrenn's waistline shrinks as she learns all the wrong ways to lose weight from a new "it-girl" friend in the show. Meanwhile, her mom is falling for Phil, "a balding Channel 8 News-nerd"; her sister is wrapped up in her own share of middle school drama, and Wrenn's best friend has fallen for a guy she met online-but hasn't even seen yet! Topping it off, geeky stage manager Steven has a crush on her. But Wrenn doesn't want to be seen with him- she's holding out for a trophy boyfriend whom everyone will envy. By opening night, the old Wrenn has almost disappeared. After a crisis reveals her weight-loss tricks, Wrenn realizes there are much more important things than being thin, popular, or even dating a hunk.
One Wish
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up—When Wrenn, a slightly overweight sophomore, is convinced by her friend Zoe to try out for the school musical, Grease, she decides to go after what she has always wanted: popularity. She is cast as Rizzo and begins a strict diet and exercise regime that gets way out of control when she starts using laxatives. When the in-crowd accepts her, Wrenn spends less time with Zoe, and as her eating disorder consumes her, she begins to lose herself. When she passes out at the cast party, her family and friends take action. Her mother enrolls her in a rehab program, where Wrenn works on feeling good about herself and learning to do things in moderation. This is perhaps a less-stark view of eating disorders than Robin Friedman's Nothing (Flux, 2008) or Madeleine George's Looks (Viking, 2008), but it is still realistic enough, and there is no happily-ever-after ending. The characters are well developed and three-dimensional, even the adults. This engrossing novel lets readers see this issue up close without being completely pessimistic.—Robin Henry, Wakeland High School, Frisco, TX
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
One Wish is a poignant story of a girl s struggle to find herself in the midst of family turmoil and new temptations. Wrenn captures the reader s heart .... Readers will wish Wrenn success as she tries to make her dreams come true ... and proves that even when they don't, life can be better than we ever thought. --Mary Beth Miller, author of Aimee and On the Head of a Pin
Brescia tackles important issues ... and Wrenn's thoughts and the characters' dialogue feel honest .... Wrenn show[s] growth and depth when she is undergoing therapy for anorexia, and begins to reflect on the choices she's made. --Publishers Weekly
Brescia tackles important issues ... and Wrenn's thoughts and the characters' dialogue feel honest .... Wrenn show[s] growth and depth when she is undergoing therapy for anorexia, and begins to reflect on the choices she's made. --Publishers Weekly
The characters are well developed and three-dimensional .... This engrossing novel lets readers see this issue up close without being completely pessimistic. --School Library Journal
Brescia tackles important issues ... and Wrenn's thoughts and the characters' dialogue feel honest .... Wrenn show[s] growth and depth when she is undergoing therapy for anorexia, and begins to reflect on the choices she's made. --Publishers Weekly
Brescia tackles important issues ... and Wrenn's thoughts and the characters' dialogue feel honest .... Wrenn show[s] growth and depth when she is undergoing therapy for anorexia, and begins to reflect on the choices she's made. --Publishers Weekly
The characters are well developed and three-dimensional .... This engrossing novel lets readers see this issue up close without being completely pessimistic. --School Library Journal
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
One Wish, Leigh Brescia's debut novel is an engaging read that ultimately didn't quite satisfy. It's the story of Wrenn, the songbird who lives up to her name in singing ability, but not in size. Her one wish is to be popular but up until her best friend Zoe talks her into trying out for the school musical, Wrenn has avoided social situations because of her weight. When she is unexpectedly cast in one of the lead roles, Wrenn decides it's time to make some changes and she becomes serious about making over herself and her life. Rehearsals and cast activities bring her into close contact with the popular people Wrenn most wants to emulate, which not only causes trouble with Zoe, but exposes Wrenn to some very bad dieting techniques.
I was predisposed to like this book simply because it doesn't involve vampires, werewolves, or fairies but I especially enjoyed the first half of the book when Wrenn overcomes her fears and tries out for the school musical. When she gets a leading role and realizes she will be hanging out with the in-crowd, I expected the story line to focus on the show and Wrenn's efforts to fit in (the stage-curtain drawings at the beginning of each chapter certainly reinforce that idea). But the focus of the book quickly shifts from the musical to Wrenn's efforts to transform herself, become popular, and land a boyfriend other girls will envy her for.
And while I liked the depth of the story--Wrenn's struggle with her mother's growing relationship with her coworker; Wrenn's problems with her BFF Zoe--I didn't feel like the angst-y second half of the book really matched up with the "OMG, I so want to be popular" first half of the book. Nor did I find it terribly realistic that Wrenn could go from sedentary overeater to borderline anexoric practically overnight. Overall, I liked the book--and again, a big thumbs up that nobody sprouted fur, fangs, or wings--but the second half of the book is a little closer to an afterschool special than I would have liked.
I was predisposed to like this book simply because it doesn't involve vampires, werewolves, or fairies but I especially enjoyed the first half of the book when Wrenn overcomes her fears and tries out for the school musical. When she gets a leading role and realizes she will be hanging out with the in-crowd, I expected the story line to focus on the show and Wrenn's efforts to fit in (the stage-curtain drawings at the beginning of each chapter certainly reinforce that idea). But the focus of the book quickly shifts from the musical to Wrenn's efforts to transform herself, become popular, and land a boyfriend other girls will envy her for.
And while I liked the depth of the story--Wrenn's struggle with her mother's growing relationship with her coworker; Wrenn's problems with her BFF Zoe--I didn't feel like the angst-y second half of the book really matched up with the "OMG, I so want to be popular" first half of the book. Nor did I find it terribly realistic that Wrenn could go from sedentary overeater to borderline anexoric practically overnight. Overall, I liked the book--and again, a big thumbs up that nobody sprouted fur, fangs, or wings--but the second half of the book is a little closer to an afterschool special than I would have liked.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Wendy C.
Format:Hardcover
I admit, I wasn't sure I was going to like this one at all. I won a copy of it, thanks to the awesome Debs, and thought I'd give One Wish a chance anyway. Plus, I've wanted to start reading more Young Adult, and this one qualifies!
But to my pleasant surprise - I LOVED IT. From the beginning, Wrenn stole my heart. And sure, while at times, she annoyed the living lights out of me, mostly because I knew she was making awful mistakes and I wanted her to open her eyes and see that! However, I could see how she was dealing with so much and she was a total champ.
This story is so engaging and moving. I loved every character, because Ms. Brescia made every one come alive. This story has substance, it has a meaning and I think it'd be a wonderful read for girls in High School. I'm past that (Ugh, I sound so old!) but as I ate up every word in One Wish, it made me go back to those days where every decision could bring utter disaster.
I really enjoyed One Wish, it's a wonderful story about a girl's struggles and finding out there's more to life than High School.
But to my pleasant surprise - I LOVED IT. From the beginning, Wrenn stole my heart. And sure, while at times, she annoyed the living lights out of me, mostly because I knew she was making awful mistakes and I wanted her to open her eyes and see that! However, I could see how she was dealing with so much and she was a total champ.
This story is so engaging and moving. I loved every character, because Ms. Brescia made every one come alive. This story has substance, it has a meaning and I think it'd be a wonderful read for girls in High School. I'm past that (Ugh, I sound so old!) but as I ate up every word in One Wish, it made me go back to those days where every decision could bring utter disaster.
I really enjoyed One Wish, it's a wonderful story about a girl's struggles and finding out there's more to life than High School.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Holly
Format:Hardcover
Wrenn Scott is overweight and would give anything to fit in with the popular crowd that Bree Donnelly is apart of. Wrenn has a great family life, with a mother and younger sister who loves to torture Wrenn with 'girl's night'. Wrenn also has a great best friend who understands her and loves her just the way she is. But, there's still that little part of Wrenn that would give anything to be popular,skinny, and get a boyfriend. When her best friend, Zoe, finds out that the school is going to do a play on Grease, Zoe knows that Wrenn would be perfect for the play. Wrenn has an amazing singing voice and reluctantly tries out for the play.
Not only does Wrenn get a part in the play, but so does Bree and her clique. Wrenn decides this is a perfect opportunity to show Bree and everyone else how cool she really is. In the process, Wrenn changes, and not in a good way. She starts to shut out her best friend who was always there for her and Wrenn also starts to drop weight in a drastic way. Wrenn has to start and wonder is this what she always wanted?
Leigh Brescia's debut novel One Wish is just about as good as you can get with a debut novel. It's a heartbreaking look into the life of a girl who just wants to desperately fit in. From there, Wrenn makes some not smart choices and lose site of who she really is. Wrenn's voice is a great narration to the story and drags you in. This is a great read that I highly recommend!
Not only does Wrenn get a part in the play, but so does Bree and her clique. Wrenn decides this is a perfect opportunity to show Bree and everyone else how cool she really is. In the process, Wrenn changes, and not in a good way. She starts to shut out her best friend who was always there for her and Wrenn also starts to drop weight in a drastic way. Wrenn has to start and wonder is this what she always wanted?
Leigh Brescia's debut novel One Wish is just about as good as you can get with a debut novel. It's a heartbreaking look into the life of a girl who just wants to desperately fit in. From there, Wrenn makes some not smart choices and lose site of who she really is. Wrenn's voice is a great narration to the story and drags you in. This is a great read that I highly recommend!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome
Kind of book I wish I could write. I am an aspiring author myself and loved the way Ms. Brescia told the story. Will read again. Awesome book!
Published 7 months ago by indielove1
4.0 out of 5 stars
Review from Blkosiner's Book Blog
One Wish is a realistic novel that deals with important issues. I am always drawn to "issue" books and especially dealing with eating disorders as I have some personal... Read more
Published on December 6, 2010 by brandileigh2003
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Mixed Bag
I just finished reading One Wish, and have a lot of mixed feelings about it. I thought it was very predictable. Read more
Published on May 17, 2010 by J. Prather
1.0 out of 5 stars
Toss.
This book is one of those books that makes the reader want to scream at the main character for every choice she makes. Read more
Published on April 26, 2010 by Zoe
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful debut
A wonderful debut, ONE WISH tells the story of Wrenn, an overweight teen with deep seated insecurities and big desires to fit in. The voice of Wrenn was realistic and relatable. Read more
Published on August 7, 2009 by Jennifer Jabaley
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Read
One Wish is a terrific debut novel. Leigh Brescia really captures the teen voice
and gets under the skin of a girl next door who wants what every girl wants. Read more
and gets under the skin of a girl next door who wants what every girl wants. Read more
Published on August 6, 2009 by Mark Fink
5.0 out of 5 stars
A touching debut
Wrenn Scott will grab you from the beginning and tug at your heart all the way through. Anyone who hasn't been "popular" has probably had the same "one wish" as Wrenn at one time... Read more
Published on July 15, 2009 by Kristina Springer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A GREAT Debut Novel!
Overweight Wrenn Scott desperately wants to be popular and snag a hot boyfriend. The question is, how far will she go to get there? Read more
Published on April 24, 2009 by YA Book Lover
