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Katerina's Wish

by Jeannie Mobley

A family’s hopes take shape through hard work

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Awards & Recognition

  • Critical praise

    Kirkus Reviews starred review

    The book is described as “top-notch” in a starred review.

AlbakiReads Editorial

A family’s hopes take shape through hard work

Katerina and her family have come to America hoping to own a farm, but her father’s work in a dangerous coal mine keeps that goal out of reach. An old folktale about a carp and three wishes stirs the imaginations of Katerina’s younger sisters, while Katerina remains skeptical. The story brings together family hopes, the pull of folklore, and the practical effort involved in pursuing a dream. When tragedy interrupts Katerina’s plans, the novel also considers how determination is tested by circumstances beyond one’s control.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Young readers interested in family-centered fiction and immigrant experiences.
  • Readers who enjoy stories that combine folklore with everyday challenges.
  • Readers interested in themes of ambition, work, and perseverance.

Themes

Family and shared dreamsImmigration and belongingFolklore and wishesHard work and determinationLoss and resilience

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

An immigrant girl discovers that hard work and determination can make dreams come true in this "top-notch" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) debut that is "a rich story threaded with...a vibrant setting and cast" (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

Katerina has a dream. It's her papa's dream, too. Her family came to America to buy their own farm. But a year later, Papa is still working in the dangerous coal mine. Each day, the farm seems farther away.

Then Katerina is reminded of the carp that granted three wishes in an old folktale. When her younger sisters hear the story, they immediately make wishes. Trina doesn't believe in such silliness--but what is she to think when her sisters' wishes come true?

A farm is still too big to wish for. But, with the help of the neighbor's handsome son, Trina starts building her dream with hard work and good sense. Then tragedy strikes, and it seems that nothing Trina wishes for will ever come true again.

With warmth and gentle humor, Jeannie Mobley tells the story of a girl whose determination is as inspiring as her dreams.
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