Carmela Full of Wishes

by Matt de la Pena

First published 2018

Carmela's birthday brings the gift she wanted most: she can finally accompany her big brother on family errands around their neighborhood. They walk past familiar sights like the busy bus stop, a repair shop behind fencing, and the local panaderia. At the Laundromat, Carmela discovers something unexpected: a single dandelion pushing through the concrete pavement. She's ready to blow away its white seeds when her brother stops her. He reminds her that she needs to make a wish first. Now Carmela faces a challenge she didn't expect. With the dandelion waiting and her brother watching, she must decide what matters most to her. The perfect wish feels just out of reach, but maybe that's part of growing up in a community where small moments can hold big meaning.

Genres: fiction, family-life, contemporary

Vibes: emotional, intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking, whimsical

Tropes: found-family, slice-of-life

Setting: Laundromat, Neighborhood, Panaderia

34 pages · Library Binding · Bound to Stay Bound Books

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