Pages: 213
Intended Audience: Tweens and Teens
Genre: Graphic Novel / Supernatural
Notes for Parents: Some mature themes
The Back Cover
Everyone
in Aster’s family is born with magic. Boys grow up to be shapeshifters; girls
into witches. No exceptions.
But
Aster can’t seem to get the hang of shapeshifting. Instead, he spends his time
spying on the witchery lessons the girls are getting. He seems to have a knack
for casting spells and wants to know more, but the only person he can share his
growing gift with is Charlie, a girl from the non-magical side of town.
Then,
during a night of shapeshifting practice, one of the boys goes missing. Aster
knows he can search for the boy with the witchcraft he’s been secretly
learning. Could breaking his family’s most important tradition save the day—or
ruin everything?
What the cover doesn’t tell
you:
This
is the author’s first middle-grade graphic novel.
What’s good?
This
beautiful graphic novel uses fantasy to explore gender issues and other topics
like friendship, family, secrets, and power. The plot is simple but with a
complexity of themes, including gender roles, non-conformity, self-acceptance,
and courage. The characters are well-developed, and very likeable. The novel is
a quick and easy read with good illustrations.
Best Part: There is a great example of what we can become (a monster!) if we’re
forced to deny who we really are.
What isn’t good?
There isn’t anything I didn’t like. The drawings
aren’t as crisp as the kind of style I prefer, but they’re still good and the
colors do a good job of setting the mood. If anything, I wish there was more to
the story.
Worst part: None.
Recommendation ☺☺☺☺☻ (4/5)
There’s
so much in this one little story. It took me less than an hour to read, but I
found in packed full of meaningful symbolism and excellent imagery that left me
with lots to think about. Definitely recommended.
Ostertag, Molly Knox. The Witch Boy. New York: Graphix, 2017.
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