The Wishing Field: Updated 2026 Edition

By Aspen Faraway

What if the most extraordinary birthday present isn't something you can unwrap?

Twelve-year-old Ivory Samson knows that birthdays are supposed to be special. And nobody makes them more special than Gramma Del, whose unusual gifts have always been the highlight of Ivory's year.

But this birthday is different.

Instead of the wonderful surprise Ivory has been expecting, Gramma Del sends a card. And when her beloved grandmother becomes seriously ill, Ivory begins to fear that the special birthdays, wonderful surprises, and magical moments they've shared might be coming to an end.

Then Ivory opens the card and discovers something unexpected: a hand-drawn treasure map promising her the biggest birthday present yet

Determined to find her grandmother's mysterious gift, Ivory sets off on a treasure hunt through the seaside town of Digby, Nova Scotia. With her seven-year-old brother, Rayne, tagging along, she follows a trail of rhyming clues through shops, streets, and the busy fishing wharf.

But the clues aren't always easy to decipher, and time seems to be running out.

As Gramma Del's condition worsens, Ivory finds herself torn between the excitement of the treasure hunt and her growing fear of losing the person who means so much to her. Her mother is preoccupied with the hospital, her father is away working, and Ivory feels increasingly alone.

There is one place, however, where Ivory has always believed that impossible things could happen.

Years ago, Gramma Del took her to a sparkling field behind her house and told her she could make a wish. Ivory wished for a baby brother, and before long, her wish seemed to come true.

But when she returned to the field, the sparkles had disappeared.

Was the wishing field really magical? Or had Gramma Del simply made an ordinary summer afternoon feel extraordinary?

Now, with so much at stake, Ivory desperately wants to believe in that magic again.

The Wishing Field is a heartfelt middle-grade novel about family, growing up, love, loss, and the extraordinary treasures we leave in one another's lives.

A moving story filled with mystery, humor, and unforgettable moments, perfect for readers ages 9-12 who enjoy emotional family stories and adventures with a touch of magic.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1998485781
• ISBN13: 9781998485789
• Release Date: October 2026
• Publisher: Haven Street Publishing
• Length: 116 Pages
• Weight: 0.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.0" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7