On Sunday, March 25, 10-year-old Alicia, from McLean, Va., had her one true wish come true as she sat down for pizza with her closest friends and one of her favorite authors, Jennifer Allison, writer of the popular Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator mystery series.
Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic partnered with Allison and Mia’s Pizzas in Bethesda, Md. to grant Alicia her wish. The afternoon activities included a group discussion of Jennifer Allison’s second novel, Gilda Joyce: The Ladies of the Lake, a pizza lunch and a special mystery-writing workshop.
Alicia was diagnosed with a brain tumor in August 2010, and at age nine, her world was turned upside down. As her schoolwork and hobbies were suddenly interrupted by surgeries and chemotherapy treatments, she found a source of strength not only in her family and friends, but in her passion for books and writing. It was her love of reading and escaping into colorful stories that inspired Alicia to ask Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic for the chance to spend a day with a “famous author.”
“Being asked to work with Make-A-Wish and given the chance to make a child’s literary wish come true is one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Jennifer Allison. “It is so incredible to spend time with Alicia, and to see firsthand how her inner courage, creativity and passion for books has helped her through such a difficult time. It’s an amazing thing for her to share this with her friends, and set the example that reading and writing can be something worth wishing for.”
“I hope Alicia was able to leave this experience with an inspiration to be creative and follow her passion that will continue long after the workshop ends,” added Allison.
