The Vanishing Friend

The Wish Library #5

by Christine Evans, Patrick Corrigan (Illustrations)

When Luca's cabinmate wishes to disappear because of bullying, Raven and Luca use their knowledge of wishes--and friendship--to bring him back.

When Raven and Luca go to sleepaway camp, they can't wait to have a week with no parents, no school, and, most of all, no trouble from magical wishes. At Redwood Rescue Farm, they'll take care of animals, meet new friends, and enjoy the awesome scenery. But when Luca's cabinmate vanishes and the camp leaders magically forget about him, Raven and Luca suspect there's more to the camp than meets the eye. Is there a Wish Library among the redwoods?

96 pages, Hardcover

Published October 26, 2023

Reviews

[Beth]

I believe this is a significant expansion in the series, with the introduction of other branches of the wish library, but since I haven’t read the others maybe the possibility was always there. Two friends go off to farm camp and save the life of a new friend who reacts badly when fellow campers laugh at his misfortune in The pig pen. The story runs smoothly and the kids are as interested in the real camp as in their magical wish library, which is odd but probably realistic.

[Amy Seufert · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a cute story about two kids who know about the Wish Library, but don't know where it will pop up next. There was some bullying, very tame, when a kid landed in the mud puddle and was covered with leaves. Then he disappeared, and his friends forgot about him. Then they had to figure out why weird stuff was happening at the farm camp. They happened to arrive at the Wish Library in the forest and started putting pieces of the puzzle together about their missing and almost forgotten friend. The rest of the story was trying to figure out how to get their invisible friend back in time, so he doesn't stay invisible forever!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifth in this series
Raven and Luca arrive at a summer camp to begin this adventure. After a new friend is laughed at, he disappears from everyone's memory. The two know something isn't right but can't figure it out. A series of pranks leads to them remembering him and they set out to solve the mystery. Of course, another Wish Library exists at the camp and they save their friend from permanently disappearing. Terrific story for mid-elementary level readers. The text level has enough action and mystery to hold their interest, and the illustrations add more to the adventure.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite Wish Library book to date. What happens when a friend disappears and everyone starts to forget him? How do you remember? This is a great story to open up simple conversations about kindness, bullying, and even depression.

[Elizabeth Schwertfuehrer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good beginning reader.

[Corian Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the only book I’ve read from The Wish Library but it seems like a sweet series! I liked the characters and how they explained everything without having to read the other books.