Ostertag, Molly The Witch Boy 224
pgs. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Graphix (Scholastic), 2017. $13. Language: G (0 swears) Mature
Content: G Violence: G
Aster lives in a community made up of his family members, they don’t associate at all with the outside world. That is because they have magic. The men have shape shifter magic, and the women have witch magic: together they fight demons. Aster is a young boy who doesn’t feel the connection at all to his supposed shape shifter magic and is constantly trying to secretly learn witch magic –and constantly getting caught for it. He is chastised with the story of male relative who tried the same thing and his ending was tragic. When some of his fellow boy trainee’s go missing –Aster will have to do what it takes to help.
This
has by far been one of my favorite graphic novels I have read in a long time –certainly
my all time favorite by this publisher. I love the theme of gender roles and
self acceptance –all wrapped up in an intriguing magic story. The edition wasn’t
the final color but from what I can tell –the artwork looks great. I also liked
that the main character, Aster, isn’t definitively masculine or feminine. I think readers
will very much enjoy this story which comes together nicely in the end with additional
lessons of friendship and changing family norms.
EL
- ESSENTIAL. Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment