Wishful Thinking

The Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew Piff #2

by Jason Lethcoe

Benjamin Bartholomew Piff thought all of his wishes had finally come true—he’s traded in his soggy cot at Pinch’s Home for Wayward Boys for a Feathered Funicula at the Wishworks Factory. He’s even been named manager of Kids’ Birthday Wishes (ages 3–12)—and he can’t wait to settle in to his new (and improved!) life. But when Ben slips briefly and reveals his identity, his spoiled cousin Penelope Piff figures out his new job. She quickly learns how to get in on the sweet life of magic, but her wishes are anything but sugar and spice and everything nice. This is one Penny that brings nothing but bad luck! Will Ben and his friends be able to save Candlewick and the Wishworks Factory from Penny’s conniving clutches—before she destroys it completely?

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Magic, Adventure, Middle Grade, Fiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Kathleen]

More death than I'd expect, but most of it is nameless mooks offscreen. Ben has a good heart, even if he still makes mistakes sometimes!

[Celestia]

The story has the main character of Benjamin Bartholomew Biff. His cousin, named Penelope Pauline Piff, took over the Wishworks factory. She and Thornblood have soldiers. Thornblood is the president of Curseworks factory. So Benjamin has to find Candlewick because he disappeared when his cousin took over the factory. They need him to get the secret weapons working. They go and find him. They keep on fighting against the horrible sniffers and the spider monkeys. They take the factory back. They can keep granting people's wishes now because that is what the factory does.

[Scribblegirl]

Readers too young for Harry Potter may enjoy this series but would do better having mom or dad read it to or along with them, as there are lots of footnotes that add flavor to the story but are also more than a little distracting and may sidetrack younger readers. I would not recommend it for a child with poor or mediocre reading comprehension skills.

[Brinlie Jill]

It'd be hard to understand unless you've read the 1st one. It was pretty cute and for me it was an easy-read. It kind of shows you should give time to your kids or else they'll bring world-havoc. It also shows you should be careful what you say because it might be the last thing you get to say to them. Oh and also jealousy is a bad feeling that you shouldn't harbor.

[Christina]

A really fun book I read with Caleb. All about the mysterious world of wishes! A great book for the kiddos!

[Mallory]

Not as good as the first book, but still a very quick read and an enjoyable one.

[Roy]

A fun little book. Quite imaginative.

[Danielle Wood]

Not any better than the first one!

[Lokien]

Now were getting to the challenge. I love the characters and name play.

[Theresa]

lovely next book in the series. Lovers of Harry Potter or How to train your dragon should give this series a try.

[Dorthea Kinnaman]

If you like reading children's books read this one. This is a fun, lighthearted book.

[Cecilia Rodriguez]

Ben has recently been promoted to Manager of Kid's birthday wishes, and on his first solo mission, he makes a very big mistake.
Ben sets off on a quest to correct the his error and save Wishworks.

[Laura McGregor]

Good book with a cliff-hanger ending. My son and I enjoyed reading it.

[Pearl]

A moving book, the second of the Benjamin Piff series.