Living on a small Idaho vegetable farm, Paige’s family has faced tough times before, but a year after the loss of her father, her mom is overwhelmed by the financial challenges and reluctantly agrees to sell the farm. However, when a realtor pounds the “For Sale” sign into the family’s front yard, the reality (and finality) of it is almost too much to bear. Paige is determined to do whatever it … it takes to save her father’s farm, which has been in their family for generations.
With the help of her little brother, her best friends, Matteo and Kimana, and, of course, her trusty farm dog, T-Rex, Paige believes she can use her “farm smarts,” however sneaky, to try to stop the sale of the farm. She puts makeup on the cows so they look sickly to potential buyers, and she pranks the realtor by releasing a jar of grasshoppers in her car. Her efforts don’t stop reality from setting in; her mother and grandfather just don’t have enough money to keep the farm running and selling it is their only option. But who will be the new owners, and where will her family go?
Paige finds a new appreciation for the land, animals, and even the barn she once took for granted. One day while roaming in the hay barn, Paige finds a peacock. She’s fascinated by the beauty of the bird’s plumage but discovers an injured wing among its fancy feathers. Since the bird cannot fly and return home, Paige is eager to nurture it back to health. Her book-smart brother helps her care for the bird and tells Paige that peacocks are symbols of luck, protection, and integrity in folklore and legends.
Shortly after the exotic bird is discovered, a man dressed in a business suit shows up on the farm with his two children and claims ownership of the peacock. Paige is devastated by the prospect of yet another loss and, again, prepares to face an adversary.
Paige is suspicious of him, especially because he’s spending a lot time with her mom. But her first impressions are wrong and, like the peacock, his true colors show him in a positive light. He’s a journalist looking for a good, human-interest story about their farming community and Paige sees a way to make the farm a solution that will help everyone.
With all the changes and challenges she faces with her family, Paige learns that sometimes the idea of a home is less about place and more about the people you call a family and that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, but an opportunity for working with others and building strength.
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Thank you Shadow Mountain for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Wish And The Peacock
By: Wendy S. Swore
*REVIEW*
The Wish And The Peacock is a delightful middle grade story with many important lessons in its pages. The heroine, Paige, is twelve years old living on a farm in Idaho. Since the death of her father a year ago, Paige has felt responsible for running the farm in the same way her father did. Then, Paige discovers that her mother wishes to sell the farm, but this can’t possibly happen. Can it? Paige, with a little help, attempts to sabotage the potential buyers in various ways with all the entertaining antics of a twelve year old. During this time,
Paige and her brother, Scotty, also find an injured peacock and decide to secretly care for it. This story is heartbreaking in some ways and joyous in others. Paige is a free spirited tomboy at a critical point in life when growing up is hard for girls. On top of the regular stuff, Paige is grieving the death of her father by keeping the farm going in any way she can. She is too young to understand that her mother’s indifference is actually grief, and selling the farm is simply unavoidable. Paige is lost in a sea of change, hurt and confusion, and I felt so heartbroken for her. She is an excellently crafted twelve year old with the perfect balance of tomboy, girl and woman to make her genuine, relatable and likeable. Her voice is authentic. The story is engaging from page one with the apt descriptions of farm life, animals and location, plus invaluable life lessons. Paige begins to see that, even in the darkness and despair of life, there is still goodness, light and love everywhere. The trick is understanding how to find the positive and that great things can happen, even in the bleakest circumstances. Paige grows and changes, and I enjoyed reading her story. I think it is perfect for middle grade, young adult and adult readers. There is something here for everyone. It’s inspiring, uplifting and will touch your heart with warmth and laughter. I will be reading more from Wendy S. Swore!
Right away I was pulled in by the cover. I like the bright colors and the happy feel of the cover. It does feel like a middle grade cover, and since that’s who it’s marketed towards it really hits the mark there. However, I struggled the whole book with the main characters age. I didn’t feel like a lot of it was believable at age 12. Not the farm chores, I think she could have done all those, or the pranks, those were definitely the appropriate age, but the way she thinks and describes things. All of that would have been more believable if she had been in high school.
The pacing of the book was really slow. It wasn’t until over halfway through that things began to really happen. I think that pacing might be kinda hard for a middle grader reading this book.
All that being said, it’s a very touching story, and I cried multiple times. Make sure you have a box of tissues with you when you read.
*I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
I really enjoyed Wendy Swore’s book, A Monster Like Me, so I was excited when I heard she had a new book coming out. When The Wish and the Peacock arrived I was a little hesitant to read it. The cover wasn’t very appealing to me (although I think it would probably really appeal to its young target audience), and the focus on the peacock wasn’t grabbing me. However, once I took the time to sit down and read the story I enjoyed it.
I really felt for Paige as the death of her father added a huge weight to her shoulders. She felt his loss deeply, and even felt guilt for not being there to help prevent his accident. She tried to keep up with a lot of the farm work on her own, and that meant giving up on her childhood. Her maturity was well beyond her years. When she learned that her mom was going to sell the farm it was devastating and she, her younger brother and a couple of friends did what they could to sabotage the sale.
There’s a lot of emotion included throughout the book, and I cried several times. The first part moved a little slowly for me, but things picked up for the second half, and I really liked the happy ending. I’d recommend this to my kids.
3.5 Stars
*I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
If you think that this is a simple book, geared towards younger kids, you will be wrong. Yes, this is probably geared towards a younger audience, but it is a perfect read for adults as well. I was immediately caught up in Paige’s story, and honestly, was kind of in awe of how much she knew how to do. I did not grow up on a farm, and I am extremely lacking in most of the skills she has mastered at 12 years of age.
My heart ached for her whole family, but especially for Paige. When her dad died, she came to the conclusion that it was completely her responsibility to keep the farm running and pretty much gave up the rest of her life to do so. I admired her grit, but just wanted to give her childhood back to her.
The storyline has a pretty heavy theme, but it’s written in such a way that it’s not too much of a downer – although in some parts tissues are highly recommended. I hope that I can get my kids to read this book, because it is such a great story.
The Wish and the Peacock was a delight to read! In the second middle-grade novel by Wendy Swore, we meet Paige, a farm girl who lives in Idaho and is struggling to work on her farm after the death of her father. When she discovers that her mom intends to sell the farm, Paige takes matters into her own hands. Around this same time, Paige discovers a peacock in her barn. The reader will witness Paige’s creative attempts to save her farm and tend the wounded peacock at the same time. There are plenty of funny anecdotes, sayings that will make you smile, and heart-warming connections with characters.
The cast of characters is awesome! I loved Paige’s grandpa, her brother Scotty, and her best friends Mateo and Kimana. They each added depth to the story as well as an added interest level that makes the reader want to join the story as one of Paige’s friends.
I especially resonated with this story because I’m an Idaho farm girl and I love my farm country! Wendy did an excellent job of showing the reader what it’s like to live on a farm, love the land and the animals, and learn things that you can only learn with a little dirt between your toes. An excellent read for kids, classrooms, and families!
Although it deals with grief, The Wish and the Peacock is a joy to read. Beautifully written, at times lyrical and atmospheric, this funny, smart, and heartwarming tale is a love letter to farming, family, and friends.
As we meet Paige, she’s working hard to get the farm chores done without her father’s help. Since his accidental death, her mother has been working hard at nursing school and is consumed with sadness. When Paige finds a peacock on the property, she’s determined to nurse it back to health with her brother Scotty’s help. And since they’d like to keep this peacock, they keep him a secret. But when Paige learns her mother is considering selling the farm, she and Scotty have more than a secret peacock to protect!
Paige and Scotty’s humorous high jinks as they attempt to sabotage the sale of their Idaho farm will make you laugh. Though secondary characters, Paige’s neighbors and friends Mateo and Kimana — the former of Latin descent, the latter Shoshone-Bannock — are fully realized. As Paige works through her grief and grapples with change, she also learns that it’s okay to ask for help, and that friends are more than willing to share the workload.
There is much to love in this charming story of a fiercely determined farm girl. Light, humorous scenes are plentiful and counterbalance moments of narrative tension. Author Swore, herself a farmer, splendidly shares her love for the land in evocative, descriptive prose, including one remarkable passage which vividly details the difference between sunrise and dawn.
Recommended for readers of all ages who have enjoyed emotionally affecting family-friendly stories like those written by Deborah Wiles (Love, Ruby Lavender; The Aurora County All-Stars; Each Little Bird That Sings).
Verdict: 5 of 5 Hearts. A love letter to farming, family, and friends!
I love reading books for middle grade kids that adults can love too! There were so many things about this book that I loved.
I loved the characters! Paige is the main character, and the reader sees everything through her eyes. She is a young girl, her father has died, and Paige feels that the all the work on her family’s farm is her responsibility. I loved the way she felt so much ownership in her farm. It was also kind of sad that Paige had such a huge burden.
I loved the way Paige, her brother Scotty, and her friends get creative when trying to save Paige’s home. I had to laugh at all the crazy things they do to keep people from wanting to buy the farm. And Paige’s solution at the end might have been my favorite part.
The author did such a great job with the setting! I felt like I was transported back to my growing up years, I only grew up about a half hour from where this book was set. That was kind of fun for me!
You’ll have to read this book yourself to see how the peacock comes into the plot, but I loved the peacock parts!
If you have a middle grade reader, they’ll love this one! And so will you.
I was sent a copy of The Wish and the Peacock as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Change is hard. It is particularly hard for Paige.
Paige is twelve and has lived on the family farm all of her life. She is a hard worker and her dad trained her to do the chores, take care of the equipment, land, and animals. The farm is part of her legacy, until everything changes.
Paige enlists her younger brother, Scotty, to sabotage the sale of the farm. Some of the things they come up with are pretty ingenious. I really enjoyed her antics, but I am sure that it will be more fun for the tween/middle-grade reader. She shows a firm resolve and a lot of creativity.
Paige has some wonderful friends who are there for her to the point of helping her sabotage the open-house. They have helped her through the tough times she has had that year. Part of the reason why she takes the sale of the farm so hard is that her father recently died in a car accident.
The book has some sad situations but focuses more on the good things in life and the importance of family. Paige learns that with a little bit of creativity, she can find a happy ending, or in this case a beginning.
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
The Wish and the Peacock by Wendy Swore is a fun and wonderful children’s story filled with farm animals, adventure, endearing friendships, and heartwarming moments. Swore masterfully creates a believable and relatable narrative that’s not only entertaining, but also beautifully touching in many ways.
Paige is dealing with her grief over losing her father. As she goes about taking care of her family farm like her dad used to do, Paige finds out that her mother and grandfather has agreed to sell their farm. She wants nothing more than to stay in the home where she grew up and keep the one connection she has with her father. When her younger brother, Scotty, finds a wounded peacock in the barn, Paige is determined not only to protect the bird, but also their family farm, which she obviously loves with all her heart. With Scotty and her best friends, Mateo and Kimana, by her side, Paige does everything she can to scare the real estate agent and every potential buyers and save her family farm.
This was such a charming and heartfelt story. I absolutely loved the farm setting and all the animals. It reminded me of all the good memories I have with my dad when I was a little girl visiting our province in the Philippines. I definitely felt a little sad since my dad has been gone for a few years, but just thinking about every moment we shared during those times also made me smile and warmed my heart. I love when books do that and surprisingly, this did that and so much more. For a children’s book, I wasn’t expecting to feel so much, but I did and it was just so lovely. I also really enjoyed the lighter side of the story. The scheming and playful pranks were fun to read about. There’s definitely plenty of humorous parts, light and sweet moments, a few heartbreaking scenes, and so many touching ones. I also love that I actually learned some interesting facts about animals and farming.
Paige is such a loveable and fascinating heroine. I adore her so much and the little tomboyish girl inside me definitely related with her. I loved her spunk, determination, and heart. I really enjoyed her character arc and watching her realize that moving on and changes does not mean forgetting or letting go… that home isn’t a place, but rather being with the people you love.
The side characters are amazing and likeable. I love Scotty with all my heart and just wanted to snuggle with him. His love for books and reading is so adorable. I also love Paige’s grandfather and her best friend, Mateo and Kimana, are awesome and very supportive. Overall, the cast is great and they all added intrigue and made the story interesting and engaging.
Wendy Swore managed to make me smile, laugh, and touch my heart in ways I didn’t expect. The Wish and the Peacock is definitely a beautiful feel good children’s story, but more than that, the themes and lessons learned is compelling, important and relatable. This lovely book is truly a delightful and precious read and I honestly can’t recommend it enough. I’m sure readers of all ages would find something to love about this and enjoy it just as much as I did.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Author Wendy Swore’s new book is a Middle-Grade novel written for kids aged 8-12 but this story is for people of all ages. I loved the characters, the setting (it’s where I grew up!!), and the life lessons learned in this novel.
Paige is a twelve-year-old going on twenty-one. She was her dad’s favorite helper and he taught her everything about running their South-Eastern Idaho farm. Sadly, her father died in an accident and now the family farm faces foreclosure. This novel is a mixture of sadness, humor, intrigue, and heartwarming moments. Honestly, there were moments I couldn’t stop laughing as Paige and her younger brother, Scotty, tried many ways to sabotage potential buyers of their farm. I loved how each person in Paige’s life helped her learn and grow in a different way. Her two best friends Mateo and Kimana, are there for her during the hard times but also give her a little tough love when Paige is having a hard time facing reality.
The supporting cast of characters is large and wonderful! Paige’s grandfather, the mysterious reporter Mr. Ferro, and of course Royal the Peacock were quick favorites of mine. This novel is another book that would make a great family read-aloud with your kids or grandkids. I can’t wait to see what else Author Wendy Swore writes next. Her two first books have been classical winners!
This beautiful book touched my heart! Twelve-year-old Paige is on a mission to save her family’s farm while also grieving for a loved one killed in a tragic accident. I laughed at her antics and cried at her pain as she struggles to fit the pieces of her new life together in a way that makes sense in her shattered world. An unexpected visitor on her farm helps Paige realize that legacy is more than just land and that moving forward does not have to mean letting go of your past. A delightful read for middle school age children and adults alike – don’t miss this one!
I received a complimentary copy but am voluntarily expressing my own opinions.