Wish in the Dark, A

A story written from two perspectives, Pong’s and Nok’s, this fantasy novel introduces students to social constructs such as inequality and class structure with themes such as power, status, and class. Although Pong and Nok couldn’t be more different, their journeys outside of the Namwon prison walls lead them both on a path that helps them discover the truth about injustice, privilege, freedom, and their own identities and self-worth. In an intermediate classroom, this novel may be read aloud or used in a small-group novel study. It may inspire class discussions about equity, culture, class structure, and tolerance. Its parallels with Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables” may be highlighted with older students.