Review: The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner

BOOK STATS

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Title: The Okay Witch
Author: Emma Steinkellner
Series: The Okay Witch #1
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Middle Grade
Format: Graphic Novel
Length: 272 pages
Publisher: Aladdin
Release Date: September 3, 2019
Source: Personal collection

SYNOPSIS

Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Roller Girl in this hilarious, one-of-a-kind graphic novel about a half-witch who has just discovered the truth about herself, her family, and her town and is doing her best to survive middle school now that she knows everything!

Magic is harder than it looks.

Thirteen-year-old Moth Hush loves all things witchy. But she’s about to discover that witches aren’t just the stuff of movies, books, and spooky stories. When some eighth-grade bullies try to ruin her Halloween, something really strange happens. It turns out that Founder’s Bluff, Massachusetts, has a centuries-old history of witch drama. And, surprise: Moth’s family is at the center of it all! When Moth’s new powers show up, things get totally out-of-control. She meets a talking cat, falls into an enchanted diary, and unlocks a hidden witch world. Secrets surface from generations past as Moth unravels the complicated legacy at the heart of her town, her family, and herself.

In this spellbinding graphic novel debut, Emma Steinkellner spins a story packed with humor and heart about the weird and wonderful adventures of a witch-in-progress.

MY THOUGHTS

This middle grade graphic novel was absolutely charming and delightful! I loved Moth as she struggled to fit in at school and grow into her magic. Her new friendship with fellow outcast Charles was so sweet.

This story focuses on three generations of Hush witches. Each complex woman had a very different idea about what it means to be a witch and how to use their powers, but their desires made sense considering their different experiences.

The story explored many important themes for young readers, such as the idea that you are not bound by your legacy and can choose your own path instead. It also had an awesome ending! I can’t wait for the sequel, and I hope everyone reads this. Even though it is targeted for children, readers of all ages can enjoy and learn something from this graphic novel.