“from The First Chapter Until The Surprising Ending, Readers Are Drawn Into A Life In Another Time.””

Linda Maguire, author of the mystery “The Principal,” recommends reading David Baldacci’s semi-autobiographical “Wish You Well” for Thansgiving. Linda is a retired Lexington teacher who drew on her own experiences in the classroom in writing her novel.

Wish You Well,” a historical fiction novel by David Baldacci, is partly autobiographical.

His love for the Virginia mountains and a spirit of thanksgiving for loving grandparents are evident in this writing.

Set in the 1940s, elements of tragedy, joy, death, and hope abound. This book is one of Baldacci’s finest.

Lou Cardinal, the main character, is a twelve-year old girl from New York City. Lou’s great-grandmother, Louisa Mae Cardinal, is the only living relative after the tragic death of their father, Jack Cardinal. Lou and her younger brother, Oz, had never met Louisa. Without hesitation Louisa agreed to take the children and their invalid mother, Amanda.

Until I was eight years old, I was reared by my grandparents. I connected with Lou. Because Louisa had few material possessions or modern conveniences, Lou is hesitant to love and trust Louisa. In the hills of Virginia Lou encounters anger, trials, and fears. Then she develops confidence in the adults she cautiously wants to trust. Lou is hesitant to have faith in her family, but the adults she meets along with a rag-tag friend named Diamond, inevitably teach her trust.

From the first chapter until the surprising ending, readers are drawn into a life in another time. Characters become friends as readers remember childhood. Baldacci’s grandmother lived with his family the last ten years of her life. He used stories from their conversations about those beloved Virginia mountains he so eloquently describes. He also spent hours talking with his mother while she shared childhood memories. Baldacci said this was an enlightening time for him. He discovered his family heritage through oral history, which is now a forgotten pastime.

While teaching, I assigned students questions they were required to ask grandparents or other trusted adults about their growing up years. The students later compiled these answers into a story. For many of the students this was the first time they talked with or discovered anything about their grandparents. Many of them were amazed at the hardships, lack of money, and how their grandparents spent their working and leisure time. Many commented how thankful they were to learn about their grandparents from this assignment. Oral tradition needs to be renewed and shared with the young.

In this story, being able to read and comprehend are the matically balanced with hope and thankfulness.

Literacy is vital to living. My granddaddy was illiterate. I didn’t realize this until I was much older. I am appreciative for the opportunity I had to teach students reading and discovering books. This is my favorite Baldacci novel. Baldacci said in writing this book, he was grateful understanding life in those Virginia mountains and the importance of literacy.

I met the author at a national reading conference where he shared how he began writing this novel. I told him I taught this novel to our students. He gave me eight signed paperback copies of Wish You Well to share with teachers. Mr. Baldacci said this was one of his favorite books to write. Because of this book, he and his wife formed the Wish You Well Foundation that supports adult and family literacy in the United States by promoting the development of literacy and educational programs.

Elements of thanksgiving are intertwined with hope throughout the story.

As adults, this story reminds us how vitally important we are in shaping young lives. Grandparents and older adults have stories to tell, wisdom to impart, and love to give.

This book is a great reminder to cherish people we have in our lives and be thankful for them.

This heart-warming book gives encouragement. The ending is almost like reading the gospel. This story gives new meaning to thanksgiving and thanks-living.

Thanksgiving will be more meaningful after you have read “Wish You Well” by David Baldacci.

“From the first chapter until the surprising ending, readers are drawn into a life in another time.”