Bigger than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder

 At first it seems this is going to be a just a story about a 12 year-old girl dealing with her parents' separation.  Rebecca's mom packs up her up and her little brother Lew and leaves their dad and Baltimore to move in with Gran in Atlanta.  Needless to say Rebecca is sad about a new school, missing her friends and Dad and is angry with her mom.  However, a magical bread box found in Gran's attic grants Rebecca's wishes for money, jewelry, and gifts but it takes a while for Rebecca to realize the truth about the magic.

Laurel Snyder digs dip into the feelings and emotions of a 12 year-old.  The magic adds a fantasy element to the story but at it's core Bigger than a Bread Box is contemporary fiction about a girl dealing with more than 12 year-olds should have to deal with.  The love Rebecca feels for Lew is admirable and we can only hope Rebecca's  true wishes are granted as we close the last page of this wonderful book.  Recommended for readers in grades 4-8, fans of fantasy such as Half Magic by Edward Eager and contemporary fiction or dealing with parental separation/divorce.