The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura -- Waka T. Brown, Hardcover

In this magical and chilling Coraline-esque retelling of the Japanese folktale "The Melon Princess and the Amanjaku," one girl must save herself--and her loved ones--from a deceitful demon she befriended.

Melony Yoshimura's parents have always been overprotective. They say it's because a demonic spirit called the Amanjaku once preyed upon kids back in Japan, but Melony suspects it's just a cautionary tale to keep her in line. So on her twelfth birthday, Melony takes a chance and wishes for the freedom and adventure her parents seem determined to keep her from.

As if conjured by her wish, the Amanjaku appears. At first, Melony is wary. If this creature is real, are the stories about its destructive ways also real? In no time, however, the Amanjaku woos Melony with its ability to shape-shift, grant wishes, and understand her desire for independence. But what Melony doesn't realize is that the Amanjaku's friendship has sinister consequences, and she quickly finds every aspect of her life controlled by the demon's trickery--including herself.

Melony is determined to set things right, but will she be able to before the Amanjaku turns her life, her family, and her community upside down?

Author: Waka T. Brown
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Published: 07/18/2023
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.60w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9780063230767
Audience: Ages 9-12

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 05/15/2023
Publishers Weekly 05/29/2023
Booklist 06/01/2023 pg. 86
Horn Book Magazine 07/01/2023 pg. 106