Manu by Kelly Fernandez - ADVISABLE

Manu by Kelly Fernandez, 192 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Graphix (Scholastic). 2021. $13. 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content PG; Violence: PG 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL - AVERAGE 

Manu is taken in by nuns as a baby. The nuns run a school of magic for girls, who are witchlings. Manu’s magic is pretty powerful and the headmistress believes she has the potential to help other people with it, though Manu would rather use it for pranks. When one prank goes bad, Manu’s best friend, Josefina wishes for Manu’s magic to disappear. Manu uses a dangerous spell to bring it back, but the spell brings back more than just the magic she bargained for. 

 The author draws from her Dominican Republic background and weaves Spanish words and culture into Manu’s story that makes this appealing. There are instances of demonic possession and Manu and Josephina are attracted to each other. There is a wide-open door for another book as Manu struggles to find who she really is and how she fits in. 

 Michelle in the Middle