Various people take cards from Thaddeus Blinn, who says he can give them whatever they desire. Polly, who has a sharp tongue, asks to be well-liked. Rowena wants Henry to stay in town long enough to put down roots. Sam, sick of hauling water, wishes for water on his folks farm. They all get their wishes, with some truly horrible side effects, in Brittain's Newbery Honor Book. Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.