Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Markia McCoola -ADVISABLE

McCoola, Markia  Baba Yaga’s Assistant 127 pgs. Candlewick, 2015. $16.99 Content: Language: G Mature Content: G Violence: PG GRAPHIC NOVEL
Masha had an amazing grandmother who told her stories of the dreaded witch Baba Yaga. But now she was gone and Masha doesn’t have anyone she is close to and she feels very alone. Although children are taught some very scary things about Baba Yaga, Masha’s grandmother cast her in a slightly different light. When there is an ad that seems to be placed by Baba Yaga, one that says she needs an assistant, Masha is willing to go on an adventure.

This was one of my favorite fall reads. It takes a deluge of folktales about Baba Yaga and mixes them into a story that has a heart and features a lead character with ingenuity. The artwork lent itself well to the creepy setting. I dare hope it’s a series. It’s a great way for students to reconnect with folktales and would make a great addition to your graphic novel collection, but because of its theme of loss and grieving, better for upper elementary or middle school.
EL, MS –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

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