Cloudwish
Cloudwish
By Fiona Wood
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Curriculum Subject: Teen Life: Personal Development, Family Life: Parents/Siblings/Babies, Personal Development: Self-Discovery, Teen Life: Relationships/Sexuality
Grades: 7 & up
For Vân Uoc, fantasies fall into two categories: nourishing or pointless. Daydreaming about attending her own art opening? Nourishing. Daydreaming about Billy Gardiner, star of the rowing team who doesn’t even know she’s alive? Pointless.
So Vân Uoc tries to stick to her reality-keeping a low profile as a scholarship student at her prestigious Melbourne private school, managing her mother’s PTSD from a traumatic emigration from Vietnam, and admiring Billy from afar. Until she makes a wish that inexplicably (possibly magically) comes true. Billy actually notices her. In fact, he seems to genuinely like her. But as they try to fit each other into their very different lives, confounding parents and confusing friends, Vân Uoc can’t help but wonder why Billy has suddenly fallen for her. Is it the magic of first love, or is it magic from a well-timed wish that will eventually, inevitably, come to an end?
PRAISE
“Offers insight into conflicts emerging from the clash of old and new values, the traumas refugees face, and the struggles of the children of first-generation immigrants. It’s an inspiring story with a sympathetic heroine, who will especially appeal to those who feel pressured to follow paths they don’t want to travel.” —Publishers Weekly
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• LB School Podcast with author Fiona Wood
• Bookish Friends Podcast about Cloudwish