The 12th Candle

Middle school meets magic in this hilarious and heartfelt novel about a girl whose life flips when she wishes on an enchanted candle—perfect for fans of Sarah Mlynowski and Wendy Mass.

Sage Sassafras’s life is cursed! No, really. Since birth, Sage has been plagued by the Contrarium Curse that’s set her at odds with classmate Priscilla Petty.

Every time something goes right for Priscilla, it goes terribly, horribly wrong for Sage. And things always go well for Priscilla.

Sage blames the curse for all her middle school misery—from losing a friend to failing gym to gaining a reputation as the girl whose daddy’s in trouble. So when Sage is given a magical candle on her twelfth birthday, she seizes the chance to turn her luck around—with a wish to reverse the curse.

But when the consequences of her wish take a terrible turn, Sage has to team up with her worst enemy—before she’s doomed to a life of opposites forever. 

What happens when the only person who can help is the one who caused all your problems?

• Enemies to Friends: Sage and Priscilla have been rivals since birth. Now, a wish-gone-wrong forces them to work together, or face the consequences of the curse forever.
• A Touch of Magic: It starts with an enchanted birthday candle and a single wish. But in a town like Goldview, where the weather is already magical, Sage is about to find out that wishes have a price.
• Middle School Drama: From losing friends and failing gym to dealing with a parent in prison, Sage is convinced a curse is behind all her bad luck. Can one wish really fix everything?
• Heart and Humor: Perfect for fans of Wendy Mass and Sarah Mlynowski, this story is packed with hilarious moments, heartfelt lessons, and the power of kindness.

“From social outcast to social butterfly— can the enchanted cat clock grant Megan’s impulsive wish? This debut novel is full of mean girls, magic, teenage angst, and ultimately the satisfying discovery of self.” - Susan Dunn, Children’s Librarian, Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library

“This sweetly magical novel is a lesson in kindness. There is magic in all of us.” - Kristen Gilligan, Tattered Cover Book Store, owner

“A thoughtful look at curse versus choice and an encouragement to youngsters to make their own paths.” - Kirkus Reviews

"Tomsic demonstrates that wishes have a power of their own, no matter the good intentions behind them. [Sage has a] colorful group of friends whose engaging dialogue and ever-evolving relationships capture the essence of middle-school interaction." - Booklist

"The book briefly touches on the seriousness of bullying and having a parent in prison, but overall it treats its subject matter with a light hand, and there’s plenty of appeal in the notion of magic and wish fulfillment. Readers will contentedly follow Sage to the neatly wrapped happy ending." - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Sage is a believable feisty twelve-year-old, who has been trying to outrun her family’s tarnished reputation for as long as she can remember, and her vulnerability to the preening Priscilla is keenly relatable. - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

PRAISE FOR The 11:11 Wish: “Debut author Tomsic infuses Megan’s first-person narrative with lots of personality and a distinctive voice, and secondary characters are all complex and multidimensional. Light fantasy firmly grounded in the realities of middle-school emotions.” - ALA Booklist

“Readers will empathize with [Megan’s] tenuous position and her tenacity despite the hilarious situations she gets herself into. A fine, funny fix.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Tomsic puts a pawsitively magical twist on middle school mayhem. Whimsical and wacky, The 11:11 Wish is a romp of a read sure to please young teens and tweens.” - Ingrid Law, Newbery Honor Winner and New York Times Bestselling Author of Savvy

“Full of unexpected twists and turns, this sweet, funny book is pure magic.” - Tara Dairman, author of All Four Stars

“Readers will be enchanted by this delightful story of friends, family, fitting in, and finding yourself. The 11:11 Wish mixes the pitfalls of middle school with much humor and heart, and the results are pure magic.” - McCourt Thomas, Head of Youth Services, Lyons Regional Library

“A magic-infused romp that will make you wince and cheer. Perfect for readers struggling to find their own voice in the tricky social landscape of middle school.” - Ida Olson, Library Media Specialist, McCormick Junior High School