Wishin' And Hopin'

 Wally Lamb is the author of the fiction novel Wishin' And Hopin.' Dusty Springfield sang a song with the same title. The story is about ten year old Felix Funicello. Felix is in the fifth grade at the local Catholic School near Groton, Connecticut in the 1960's. When his teacher has a nervous breakdown she is replaced by a young woman from Montreal who wants the class to learn French. When Felix's father gives him the facts of life speech he tells Felix to never let his lips touch the water fountain because it is germy. Felix is quite innocent and does not pick up on the dirty jokes and innuendoes. The author shares funny tales about Felix and the people in his neighborhood culminating with a Christmas pageant at the school.