When You Wish Upon a Lantern
on Goodreads (1,797)
What’s inside...
Acclaimed author Gloria Chao writes a luminous romance in which teens Liya and Kai devote themselves to granting other people's wishes by secretly fulfilling the desires written on wishing lanterns. Former best friends, they haven’t spoken since a humiliating incident caused a major misunderstanding. When Liya discovers her family's wishing lantern store is struggling, she and Kai team up to save it, rekindling their friendship and possibly more. However, their feuding families and uncertain futures threaten to pull them apart once again. Will they find a way to make their own wishes come true?
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-17
Length
352 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think each lantern could represent or mean to the people who release them?
How did the story make you feel when the lanterns floated up into the sky?
Can you imagine what wish you would make if you had your own lantern? What would it be?
Why do you think the people chose to release lanterns instead of doing something else with their wishes?
How do you think the story would change if no one's wishes came true?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story by using expressive words.
Ask your child to draw their own lantern and decorate it with colors or patterns that represent their wish.
Discuss the importance of hope and dreams, relating them to personal experiences or future aspirations.
Create a comfortable and focused reading environment to enhance connection with the story’s themes.
After reading, consider visiting a local festival or event together that involves lanterns to bring the story to life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Family Bonds
Explanation: The story showcases the characters celebrating a traditional lantern festival together, highlighting the significance of family gatherings and traditions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of spending quality time with family and participating in cultural or family traditions.
Example Lesson: Perseverance and Hope
Explanation: As characters make wishes using the lanterns, they learn to have hope and persevere in their beliefs and desires, despite uncertainties.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to remain hopeful and persistent in pursuing their goals or when facing challenges in their lives.
Example Lesson: Respect for Different Cultures
Explanation: The book introduces children to a specific cultural event, fostering a sense of respect and curiosity about different ways of life.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace and appreciate cultural diversity, enhancing their social interactions and global understanding.