{"product_id":"wishin-and-hopin-a-christmas-story-isbn-9780061941009","title":"Wishin' and Hopin': A Christmas Story","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Lamb’s rich panoply of details . . . render this novel first-rate escapism just begging for a comforter and a cup of tea.”—\u003cem\u003eMinneapolis Star Tribune\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWally Lamb, the beloved #1 \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eThe Hour I First Believed, I Know This Much Is True\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eShe’s Come Undone\u003c\/em\u003e, delivers a holiday treat with \u003cem\u003eWishin’ and Hopin’\u003c\/em\u003e—an unforgettable novella that captures the warmth and joy of the holiday season. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePoignant and hilarious, with his latest story, \u003cem\u003eWishin' and Hopin',\u003c\/em\u003e Wally Lamb takes a turn toward the lighthearted and laugh-provoking. In a vein similar to Jean Shepherd’s \u003cem\u003eA Christmas Story\u003c\/em\u003e and David Sedaris’s \u003cem\u003eThe Santaland Diaries\u003c\/em\u003e, Lamb’s holiday tale focuses on a feisty parochial school fifth grader named Felix Funicello—a distant cousin of the iconic Annette! Both poignant and hilarious, \u003cem\u003eWishin' and Hopin' \u003c\/em\u003etransports us back to October, November, and December of 1964, when LBJ and Lady Bird were in the White House, \u003cem\u003eMeet the Beatles \u003c\/em\u003ewas on everyone’s turntables, and Christmas meant mistletoe, mangers, and midnight mass. Then it propels us from the past to the present so that we might measure what we’ve gained and what we’ve lost.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003eWith his latest story, WISHIN′ AND HOPIN′, Wally Lamb takes a turn toward the lighthearted and laugh-provoking. In a vein similar to Jean Shepherd′s A Christmas Story and David Sedaris′s The Santaland Diaries, Lamb′s holiday tale focuses on a feisty parochial school fifth grader named Felix Funicello--a distant cousin of the iconic Annette! Both poignant and hilarious, WISHIN′ AND HOPIN′ transports us back to October, November, and December of 1964, when LBJ and Lady Bird were in the White House, Meet the Beatles was on everyone′s turntables, and Christmas meant mistletoe, mangers, and midnight mass. Then it propels us from the past to the present so that we might measure what we′ve gained and what we′ve lost.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“Charming…. Full of pop-culture references of the day…this will have broad appeal.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Humorous and heartwarming…clever and well-written…A fun trip down memory lane from a skilled writer. The stocking stuffer might just become a cherished possession.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eColumbus Dispatch\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Lamb is a very good writer, and Wishin’ and Hopin’ is a charming read with a genuinely funny ending.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHouston Chronicle\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"We might as well call Wally Lamb the man with the golden pen...[\u003cem\u003eWishin’ and Hopin’\u003c\/em\u003e] will leave you laughing and thinking nostalgically about your own school days and holidays past.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBookPage\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Both heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny…a cast of characters that are both uproarious and unforgettable…a poignant reminder that family and friends are the greatest gift of all.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHartford Books Examiner\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Lamb’s vividly detailed portrait of the 1960’s and the inner workings of a Catholic schoolboy’s mind puts his first Christmas book on par with his previous three novels.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMiami Herald\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“In the hands of Wally Lamb, what emerges isn’t an apology but a celebration of life...Felix makes a hilarious guide through a story that whirs right along.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A heartwarming slice of life....The entertaining characters will bring back youthful memories.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eRomantic Times (4 Stars)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eWishin’ and Hopin’ \u003c\/em\u003efrom Wally Lamb reminds us of what innocence was like.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBody and Soul\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Lamb...proves he can be short, sweet and funny” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“This book is a bonbon for any baby boomer…Lamb gets Felix’s voice just right, and he does a spot-on job of evoking the special joys and trials of parochial school in the ‘60’s…Put a bow on this book and warm somebody’s heart.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSt. Petersburg Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Warmly, sweetly retro.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKansas City Star\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Lamb’s rich panoply of details...render this novel first-rate escapism just begging for a comforter and a cup of tea.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMinneapolis Star Tribune\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Harper","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44889180897509,"sku":"NP9780061941009","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780061941009.jpg?v=1730230694","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/wishin-and-hopin-a-christmas-story-isbn-9780061941009","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}