Wishin' and Hopin'

Ever feel like your childhood was a movie you can't stop replaying? Get ready to travel back to 1964 and see the world through the eyes of ten-year-old Felix Funicello, as a new teacher and a Christmas play are about to turn his fifth-grade year upside down. You'll join Felix as he navigates the hilarious and heartfelt chaos of parochial school, family life, and pop culture in a small Connecticut town. Discover how a boy's simple wishes for a new bike and a taste of fame collide with the unpredictable magic of the holiday season.

Wally Lamb is a 1 New York Times bestselling author and a two-time Oprah's Book Club selection, celebrated for his deeply human and emotionally resonant storytelling. A former high school English teacher for 25 years, Lamb's profound understanding of character and community shines through in his work. His experience teaching creative writing at a maximum-security prison also informs the powerful empathy and authenticity that have become the hallmarks of his beloved novels, including the heartfelt and humorous Wishin' and Hopin'.