Leaving Wishville

I think of Leaving Wishville and hear the ocean. I see that misty gray that doesn't seem like it's a real color. Unsettlingly cozy.Mel Torrefranca does a phenomenal job of transporting her readers into a completely different place. Though I read this book curled up in my room or on my back porch, I always felt as if I were in Wishville, all but tasting the ocean. Every detail, each line of dialogue, even each punctuation mark settles in your chest and tugs. Coming from a small town myself, I'm all too familiar with tranquility feeling empty, but Torrefranca conveys it effortlessly. She finds ways to make you feel things you've only felt in hazy dreams.Her characters, especially Benji, aid you on your journey. They are as dimensional and dynamic as characters come. Even if they are on the page for just a few lines, you get to know them. Benji is the type of character that you know you've met in real life before--someone who wants more that what they believe they have.The plot, of course, was wonderful. Fast-paced, but not so fast that I felt my head spin. It kept me turning the pages, needing to know what would come next, but not feeling rushed to do so.If you need to visit somewhere else for a bit, and you feel there is something missing, then Leaving Wishville might have some solutions.

As a teen who is in the process of writing their first novel especially after reading this book, gives me a sense that teens CAN write a book. They CAN tell a story. Age has nothing to do with the passion you wish to pursue. After reading Leaving Wishville and her second book, Capsule, I was captivated, entranced and entertained by the world that Mel Torrefranca has created! I wanna say that I enjoyed Leaving Wishville more than Capsule considering that it was fantasy realism story which is something I’m a fan of! But nonetheless, if you’re looking for a fresh story that’ll take you on a journey that’ll have you along for the ride, than Leaving Wishville and Capsule by Mel Torrefranca is the best books for you!!😀😀 Can’t wait for what comes next!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE! Thanks to the writer for developing and telling this story!

Whether you are 13 or 30, you will absolutely love Leaving Wishville! I had the pleasure of Beta Reading for this wonderful young lady, and you can tell she put her heart and soul into every aspect of this novel. The writing is impeccable, and she draws you in immediately with a mysterious and whimsical storyline. The words describing the life of Benji - the main character - transported me into his life. I felt as though I experienced all of his pain, longing, and distress with him, and it was especially enjoyable to read from the other supporting characters as well. Drama, pain, humor, and friendship, there is something for everyone in this book!

Montgomery High School can be very proud of this 17-year-old author. Mel Torrefranca is a talent from whom I hope we will receive many more literary gifts.LEAVING WISHVILLE is a coming-of-age novel in which 14-year-old Benji longs to leave his isolated, ocean-side town, desiring to follow in the footsteps of his father. But something -- he knows not what -- is keeping him in Wishville.A young girl with possibly psychic powers gives him a sealed envelope about his future, and his curiosity can't be contained. Benji then seeks to make amends and forge new connections in his drive to leave Wishville before it's too late.Along with Benji, the reader meets other young (and older) people who reside in Wishville. Many conversations take place in the book, and the author excels in making those natural, not stilted.The conclusion of the book is somewhat ambiguous, but that's all to the good; the reader can mull over the possibilities.It seems to me that some young authors (perhaps because they themselves have been steeped in fantasy novels?) are trending novels about closed societies in which supernatural elements play a major role. Just recently I read BURST, by H. C. Daria (https://www.amazon.com/Burst-H-C-Daria-ebook/dp/B0849LGM4D/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Burst%2C+Daria&qid=1589224455&sr=8-1), and although that novel's style is quite different from this one, I do recognize some underlying similarities.I highly recommend LEAVING WISHVILLE, both to YA readers and to adults. And I look forward to the next novel by Mel Torrefranca.

I don’t often read ya/middle-grade mysteries, but I have to say this was one of the best non-sci-fi books I have read in a long time! It has the feel of Neil Gaiman with a bit of contemporary Gen Z vibes that only someone of the generation could write. Benji is also one of my favorite characters ever!! Overall, an impressive book by a young author. I can’t wait to read more of her work :).

Main character has lots of appeal and there is a lot going on behind the surface...Leaving Wishville will lead you into a middle grade/young adult adventure to savor.

I was sent a pre-release digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review on it’s release day.I must be honest and say I was a little apprehensive before I started reading this, but once I did start, I was completely hooked. Torrefranca’s writing is beautifully lyrical, and the story is a compelling read. All in all, this made it a very hard book to put down!Torrefranca captures that child-like innocence that creates curiosity in children, and uses that classic teenage desire to rebel to drives the kids ideas. Benji’s inquisitiveness makes him such a relatable character.The setting of the book, the fictional town of Wishville, is incredibly mysterious, with the residents almost willingly held captive. 10 years before the book, Benji’s father left Wishville and never returned, scaring everyone else into never leaving themselves. It’s here that Benji’s teenage rebelliousness really comes into its own, and he feels a massive erge to leave.The characters had depth and their character development over the novel was brilliant. I especially thought that James and Benji’s development was clever. Their reactions to events does show an important message about the fact that it is important to share your feelings.I found the ending particularly difficult to comprehend directly after reading. This was actually pretty clever, I found myself still thinking about the ending a long long time after I finished reading. And I’m STILL not sure what is actually going on with Wishville itself. Personally, I loved this mysterious aspect!Generally, I think I would recommend this to sort of young and middling teenagers, which is around the age of the kids in the book. Or to any American teenager relishing the memory of the move from middle school to high school.Overall, I really enjoyed this read, which was a little bit of a deviation from my normal reading habits. I actually loved this book, and I can’t wait for more people to read it!

Great book!