What You Wish For is not a unique book title. It identifies at least three different works: Katherine Center’s contemporary novel about a school librarian and a new principal, Fern Michaels’s romantic-suspense novel, and a Darfur-benefit anthology. If you mean the school-centered novel, the author is Katherine Center.
Which book titled What You Wish For are you looking for?
Author and edition are essential for identifying this title. The three works below differ in author, publication details, format and subject. The publication information is from the publishers; the plot details for Center’s novel also draw on a Publishers Weekly review dated May 6, 2020.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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What You Wish For | $10.15 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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What You Wish For: A psychological suspense thriller (Wicked Ways Collection - Standalone Thrillers) | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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What You Wish For | $3.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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What You Wish For | $2.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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I Wish You More | $7.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Work | Publication details | Premise and audience |
|---|---|---|
| What You Wish For by Katherine Center | St. Martin’s Griffin paperback; ISBN 9781250219374; 368 pages; on sale July 13, 2021. Macmillan listing. | A contemporary novel about school librarian Samantha Casey, new principal Duncan Carpenter, and a school community facing a clash over safety, rules and the atmosphere that makes the school feel like home. |
| What You Wish For by Fern Michaels | Zebra paperback; ISBN 9781420132496; 320 pages; published July 30, 2013. Penguin Random House listing. | Women’s fiction, contemporary romance and romantic suspense about Helen Ward, who escapes an abusive husband and relocates under a changed identity. |
| What You Wish For: A Book for Darfur, from the Book Wish Foundation | Anthology; ISBN 9781101535660; 288 pages; published September 15, 2011. The publisher gives an age range of 12 and up. Penguin Random House listing. | A collection of stories and poems by multiple contributors, described by the publisher as benefiting literacy and education for Darfuris through library development in refugee camps. |
What is Katherine Center’s novel about?
Samantha Casey is a school librarian devoted to her work and school community. When Duncan Carpenter arrives as the new principal, his response to danger is to impose rules and security measures. Sam remembers him from an earlier school as more open and joyful, so his new approach unsettles her as well as the community she cares about. Their shared history and the possibility of romance develop alongside the conflict over what makes a school safe and welcoming.
That is the publisher’s synopsis in brief, not a claim of firsthand reading. Publishers Weekly adds that the novel takes place in a Texas beach town and that Sam and school cofounder Babette try a “Joy-bomb” intervention for Duncan. Its review characterizes the book as fast-paced and whimsical, combining romance with a school-security conflict.
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What kind of reading experience does Center’s book offer?
The story places a light, romantic tone beside a serious question: how can a community protect people without allowing fear to define its daily life? The publisher page reproduces a Kirkus starred-review line describing its message as choosing joy even in difficult and painful times. People calls it a charming, often lighthearted novel that touches on serious issues, while BookPage describes it as “a bona fide explosion of happiness packaged in book form.” These are review characterizations, not guarantees that every reader will respond the same way.
How can you identify the right edition?
For the Katherine Center novel, the publisher-listed paperback is the St. Martin’s Griffin edition, ISBN 9781250219374, with 368 pages and an on-sale date of July 13, 2021. Use the ISBN when searching or ordering if you need that specific edition. The publisher also provides a discussion guide and book-club resource on the book page.
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The Fern Michaels novel and the Darfur anthology have different ISBNs and publishers, so a title-only search can lead to the wrong work. The publication dates and page counts in the table identify the editions listed by their publishers; they do not establish current stock or retailer prices.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is the Darfur anthology’s stated purpose?
The publisher describes What You Wish For: A Book for Darfur as an anthology whose proceeds support literacy and education for Darfuris through library development in refugee camps, with the Book Wish Foundation donating proceeds to UNHCR. The publisher lists contributors including John Green, Joyce Carol Oates, Cornelia Funke and Jane Yolen. This describes the publisher’s stated purpose and arrangements for the book; it does not establish the organization’s later activity or current donation arrangements.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
