11 Birthdays: A Wish Novel

I loved this book! I read it all in one night when I couldn't sleep. If you like the movie Groundhog's Day, you'll like this book. Amanda has known Leo all her life- literally. They were born on the same day in the same hospital. After accidently celebrating their first birthday together, they become fast friends. But,when Amanda hears Leo talking bad about her at their 10th birthday party, she doesn't talk to him for a whole year. Soon, Amanda finds herself repeating her 11th birthday over and over again. You'll figure out the second meaning of the title at the end of the book.

Amanda and Leo were born on the same day in the same hospital. A coincidence? Maybe. Was it coincidence that finds them at the same party place to celebrate their children’s first birthday? This coincidence leads to a friendship that has them celebrating all of their birthdays together until their tenth party. Amanda overheard Leo saying something to his new friends about her. With her feelings crushed, she leaves the party and goes home. That was the end of their friendship. A year later as they prepare to celebrate their 11th birthdays separately, something strange happens. Amanda finds out about Leo’s party and realizes that many of her guests have brought gifts and dropped them off at her party to attend his. When it is all over she goes to bed only to wake up the next day to find it is her birthday again. In a story that reminded me of the movie “Groundhog Day”, Amanda discovers she is not the only one living the day over. Leo has the same problem. Together they must find out why this is happening to them and figure out how to fix this or else it will be their eleventh birthday forever. This was a quick and easy read for me. I enjoyed it very much. I was reminded of the fragility of friendship. At that age it tends to be very easily broken and at times just as easily fixed. The author did a great job of making her characters very believable and the story line carried you along with not gaps. I know many of my students would love this book. I will gladly recommend it to them.

I really enjoyed this story of what happens when you have a bad day, but then you have a chance to "do it over" (and over and over and over!) until you get it right. If you've ever lost a good friend because of a stupid misunderstanding, you'll be rooting for Amanda and Leo to make up with one another.