Friday, February 12, 2016

Sadie’s Story (Backyard Witch) by Christine Heppermann and Ron Koertge –OPTIONAL

Heppermann, Christine and Koertge, Ron and Illustrated by Marcero, Deborah Sadie’s Story (Backyard Witch) 170 pgs. Green Willow (Harper Collins), 2015. $17.00 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G Violence: G

Sadie’s two best friends have gone on a vacation without her! She is pretty down about it until she meets an odd old woman living in her backyard playhouse. She says she is a witch and she enlists Sadie’s help looking for a friend that turned into a bird. Sadie learns more about birds and has a wonderful time with her new friend. When her parents decide to sell the old playhouse, will all the fun end?

First off the artwork is adorable! As for the story, I have to be honest here, I disliked reading this book and could hardly make myself finish. the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle like “witch” can be irritating in an attempt to create a unique character, I think even Sadie may have felt that way a bit! I appreciated the promotion of bird watching. I think students will find the dangling hope of magic a big disappointment. It’s a wholesome chapter book so it can’t hurt to add it for 2nd grade readers. But I would prefer to promote something with a little more quirky humor like Ivy and Bean.

EL (K-3) –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

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