Until Wishes Are Fulfilled — Michael Alexander

For eleven year old Holly, the last six weeks have been the worst of her young life. Her mother lies in a coma following a car accident, the doctors unable to say when, if ever, she might regain consciousness. With Christmas just one week away, Holly's one wish is to have her mother home with her on Christmas Day - a wish she knows is unlikely to be fulfilled. Then, on the eve of her twelfth birthday, her dad buys her a magician's set from a strange old man he bumps into by accident in town. The set proves to be very special; a spell book and a real wand, and suddenly Holly finds that magic exists everywhere - even in the saddest moments of her life. Under the guidance of Charlie, Holly learns to do the sort of magic we can only dream about, with hilarious and sometimes dangerous results! As Holly's life begins to brighten, she still holds onto her one true wish - to have her mother home again, and muses over the opening words in the spell book: This book is for the use of Holly Jackson Congratulations on being chosen All is yours until your wishes are fulfilled With Christmas fast approaching and an evil character trying to take the wand for himself, can Holly find it in herself to rise to the challenges that face her and get back the one thing she wants most of all?