The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura

By: Waka T. Brown

Narrated by: Chieko Hidaka

• 2024 Oregon Book Award winner

In this magical and chilling Coraline-esque retelling of the Japanese folktale “The Melon Princess and the Amanjaku,"" one girl must save herself—and her loved ones—from a deceitful demon she befriended.

Melony Yoshimura’s parents have always been overprotective. They say it’s because a demonic spirit called the Amanjaku once preyed upon kids back in Japan, but Melony suspects it’s just a cautionary tale to keep her in line. So on her twelfth birthday, Melony takes a chance and wishes for the freedom and adventure her parents seem determined to keep her from.

As if conjured by her wish, the Amanjaku appears. At first, Melony is wary. If this creature is real, are the stories about its destructive ways also real? In no time, however, the Amanjaku woos Melony with its ability to shape-shift, grant wishes, and understand her desire for independence. But what Melony doesn’t realize is that the Amanjaku’s friendship has sinister consequences, and she quickly finds every aspect of her life controlled by the demon’s trickery—including herself.

Melony is determined to set things right, but will she be able to before the Amanjaku turns her life, her family, and her community upside down?

Good

I liked the story and it was very good at story telling. I loved the plot twist at the end of the story.

Very enjoyable story

Very enjoyable story, and interesting melding of (new to me) folklore in a modern setting. A very relatable child heroine that you can root for in her story. The cast of supporting characters were vivid and memorable too.