Wish on a Willow

If Eloise saves the willow tree, can its magic save her dad?

Nothing about this summer is what eleven-year-old Eloise expected. Stuck at Gee-pa's farm, she discovers Mama Willow--an enormous weeping willow whose branches shimmer in the sunlight and whisper with secrets. And when Eloise finds her daddy's childhood journal tucked away in Gee-pa's attic, she uncovers something even more unexpected: The tree supposedly holds magic. She isn't sure she believes the journal's stories . . . until she begins to see the magic for herself.

The truth is, Eloise needs a little magic. After her dad's terrible bike accident--the reason her mom brought her to the farm in the first place--Eloise is weighed down with fear and worry. What if her daddy never gets better? What if their family is changed forever?

And to make matters worse, a smooth-talking developer announces plans to cut down Mama Willow to build a flashy new event center. Eloise can't let that happen. With Mama Willow nearby--and two new friends at her side--Eloise holds on to the hope that the willow's magical leaves can heal her dad. And she will do anything to protect it.

With the help of her daddy's journal and the secrets Mama Willow holds, Eloise and her friends race to save the tree before it's too late. Because this wish is just too big to let go.

Maria Oka believes that all trees have magic in them, especially willows. In addition to reading and writing, she loves summer beach days, dance parties, and eating ice cream in any weather. She grew up in Holly, Michigan, and São Paulo, Brazil, as one of seven kids. Maria completed her undergrad at BYU and holds an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from VCFA. She lives with her husband and their four daughters in Los Angeles. This is her first novel.