A Wish After Midnight

Given the thoughtful handling of the topic of racism (both modern day and civil war era), this is truly a book that is worthy of study in jr. high and high school literature or history classes. Although this is a time travel story, it is not too overly fantastical, so one need not be a sci fi fan to enjoy it thoroughly. Fifteen year-old Genna lives with her family in Brooklyn. Her mother hates white people, which Genna struggles to understand. Genna is acquainted with an older white gentleman whom she often sees at the nearby arboretum, and he seems perfectly kind. One day Genna is whisked back to civil war days. At first, she is mistaken for a runaway slave. She must make her way as best she can, and can only hope that she will one day return to her own time. This is a lovely story with a powerful message. Genna is a very likable character. Fans of historical fiction will especially enjoy this. Highly recommended for ANYONE 13 and up.

Wow, I could not put this work of art down! A Wish Midnight had me staying up reading this book well after midnight a few nights in a row, until I had completely devoured it's contents. Zetta Elliott has created one of the most humbling, thought-provoking, and enrapturing books I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I'm not even going to attempt to do this book any justice by writing any details of the events that touched me, as there is no possible way I could do this book any justice without somehow detracting from it's powerful message. Suffice it to say that A Wish After Midnight has left me quite speechless, but only in good ways. It's message, it's lessons, will be ones that find myself thinking about for a good long time to come. I look forward to reading the sequel.

There are many ways to respond to racism, and A Wish After Midnight explores just about every one imaginable. In an astounding feat of nuance, the author manages to present a deeply divisive subject in a deeply unifying way. She doesn't shy away from showing the worst in people, nor does she fail to recognize the best in those same people. While the book seems primarily intended to encourage young people to rise above the hand they're dealt, it is instructive for young and old, black and white alike. In addition to the excellent theme and premise, the writing itself is solid. Each character is important to the story, and has a unique voice and outlook on life. It is a serious subject, and the plot is frightening at times. I definitely recommend an adult be there to discuss it, but it is thought-provoking enough that I will encourage my children to read it when they are old enough. I look forward to the sequel with anticipation.

When I read this book I couldn't put it down. Now I am waiting on the edge of my seat for the sequel!!! Zetta is such a great writer. It's so encouraging to see so many people recognize her talent. Her stories are so rich, and her delivery is crystal clear. If you love historical fiction with a twist, pick this up immediately! If you love time travel, grab this! If you just love reading good books, this is for you! I highly recommend it.

Zetta Eliott's "A Wish After Midnight" is a perfect story for those history buffs who like to know what the Civil War period was like. In this very believable novel by an African-Canadian novelist, heroine Genna wishes herself out of her modern-day Brooklyn and wakes up, in Civil War Brooklyn, a slave with no freedoms but a desire to learn and to cope with hard work in the white-dominated world where electicity hasn't been discovered and blacks are trampled on. Not only is the transition from now to then skillfully accomplished with fully alive characters,but the reader learns about daily life in old New York without being treated to science fiction magic. Watching Genna and her associates, friends, and relatives as they deal with loves and torments,the reader is given a deeper understanding of the human side of slavery and the pleasures of caring relationships. Hoping for Genna's world to sort itself out makes for stimulating reading because the characters are very interesting and their fascinating problems sometimes seem more than anyone should have to bear. This is a very readable novel about memorable people, definitely to be recommended.