Allie, First at Last: A Wish Novel: A Wish Novel
Wish Series
on Goodreads (676)
What’s inside...
Allie Velasco wants to be a trailblazer and win a prestigious school contest to add a trophy to her family's award shelf, where everyone has achieved something special. However, her biggest competition is her ex-best friend, Sara. Allie must decide if winning the top prize is worth risking her friendship with Sara and potentially losing it all.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
208 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Allie to want to win a trophy, and how do you feel about her reasons?
How did Allie's relationships with her family and friends change throughout the story?
What did Allie learn about the true meaning of success and failure?
If you were Allie, would you have made the same decisions she did? Why or why not?
How do you think showing kindness and support can affect your friends and yourself?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to connect personally with Allie’s experiences. Ask them how they have dealt with similar situations. This not only deepens comprehension but also enhances empathy. Highlight the importance of family and friendship, and discuss how these relationships impact personal growth and achievement. Lastly, praise your child’s insights and thoughts to build confidence in their ability to analyze and understand complex themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of perseverance
Explanation: Allie Velasco faces numerous challenges in her quest to finally win something, showing that persistence is key, even when initial attempts don't lead to immediate success.
Real-World Application: Children learn that not giving up, despite obstacles and setbacks, is crucial in achieving personal goals, be it in academics, sports, or any other activities.
Example Lesson: Importance of family and heritage
Explanation: Throughout the story, Allie's interactions with her family, including how they celebrate their Hispanic heritage, teach her crucial life values and the importance of family ties.
Real-World Application: Children can appreciate their own cultural background and family traditions, recognizing how these shape their identity and values.
Example Lesson: Understanding true friendship
Explanation: Allie learns the essence of genuine friendship as she navigates through her relationships, understanding that true friends support and accept each other regardless of achievements.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to build supportive and loyal friendships and learn to value personal connections over superficial accomplishments.
Example Lesson: Self-acceptance and setting personal goals
Explanation: Allie struggles with being the only one in her family without a trophy, but gradually learns the significance of setting her own goals and valuing personal achievements over comparisons.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children to set personal standards and goals, understanding that success is personal and not always measured by comparison to others.
Example Lesson: Compassion and empathy
Explanation: The protagonist demonstrates empathy by understanding her peers' perspectives and feelings, leading to deeper emotional connections.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of considering other people's feelings and perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding in their everyday interactions.