A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat

Author: Christina Soontornvat

*First Edition*

Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Young Adult, Retellings

Synopsis:

A boy on the run. A girl determined to find him. A compelling fantasy looks at issues of privilege, protest, and justice.

All light in Chattana is created by one man -- the Governor, who appeared after the Great Fire to bring peace and order to the city. For Pong, who was born in Namwon Prison, the magical lights represent freedom, and he dreams of the day he will be able to walk among them. But when Pong escapes from prison, he realizes that the world outside is no fairer than the one behind bars. The wealthy dine and dance under bright orb light, while the poor toil away in darkness. Worst of all, Pong's prison tattoo marks him as a fugitive who can never be truly free.

Nok, the prison warden's perfect daughter, is bent on tracking Pong down and restoring her family's good name. But as Nok hunts Pong through the alleys and canals of Chattana, she uncovers secrets that make her question the truths she has always held dear. Set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world, Christina Soontornvat's twist on Victor Hugo's Les Mis�rables is a dazzling, fast-paced adventure that explores the difference between law and justice -- and asks whether one child can shine a light in the dark.

Format: Hardcover, 375 pages

Awards: Newbery Medal for None (2021), Jane Addams Children's Book Award for Older Children (2020), Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature for (honor) (2021), Mark Twain Readers Award for None (2023), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award for None (2024), Texas Institute of Letters Award for Best Middle Grade Book (2021), Ignyte Award for Best Middle Grade Novel (2021)

Goodreads Rating: 4.29

*This book is pre-loved, but has been carefully looked through to ensure it is not missing any pages and is in good condition. All visible flaws have been documented in the product photos.