The Hidden Witch

November 1, 2018

Gr 4-6-In this adventurous sequel to The Witch Boy, Aster is finally allowed to learn witchery alongside the girls in his family, while his best friend Charlie is excited by the prospect of a new friendship at (nonmagic) school with shy, guarded Ariel. But mysterious happenings pick up quickly when Charlie is visited by a malevolent spirit and when magic meddles in her first basketball game. Meanwhile, in return for extra lessons, Aster helps his grandmother heal the monster who endangered his life and who, deep down, is also his great-uncle Mikasi. Ostertag skillfully develops the setting and action while tackling topics such as friendship, jealousy, bullying, and identity. Themes of embracing differences and the long-term effects of intolerance carry over from the previous installment, as readers are introduced to a diverse, expanding cast. The bold art is inviting; clear-cut, brightly colored panels with warm autumnal tones keep scenes moving and shift into muted shades to enhance the creep factor. Depictions of Mikasi's dragon-esque form and foreboding shadow shapes are the perfect level of spooky for the target audience. VERDICT An exciting continuation of Aster's supernatural journey, whose coming-of-age messages will resonate with middle graders.-Ashleigh Williams, School Library Journal

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2019
Grades 3-7 In the sequel to The Witch Boy (2017), Ostertag continues the story of Aster, the boy who chooses to be a witch, a role traditionally held by girls. Aster is continuing his studies, but he feels like he has a lot to learn, so he agrees to be tutored by his grandmother in exchange for helping with her brother, Mikasi, the beast who attacked Aster and his cousins. He's also dealing with a dark and serious magic that has attached itself to his friend, Charlie. Will he be able to help Mikasi without losing himself? Will Mikasi end up helping Aster in return with the dark magic surrounding Charlie? Ostertag's illustrations are vivid and vibrant and showcase the degrees of magic in beautiful, rich tones. The panels are well positioned, making it easy to follow the story. In her dynamic artwork, the detailed scenes spanning across pages showcase the richness of her world building. A great comic for magic fans and those who want to read stories about others who buck the trend.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2019
Witch-in-training Aster (The Witch Boy) and his grandmother secretly work to heal his great-uncle Mikasi, who's stuck in dragon form. Meanwhile, Aster's non-magic friend Charlie clicks with new girl Ariel, who can't control her magic. The graphic novel's thick black outlines help the muted autumnal colors pop, and varied lettering, balloons, and panel styles add energy and depth. Dialogue and visual cues reveal moments of tension and connection, and world-building is spot-on.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

March 1, 2019
Aster's coming out as a witch (in The Witch Boy, rev. 11/17) challenged his magic community's traditional gender norms. Previously, trauma from intolerance led Aster's great-uncle Mikasi, also a witch, to harm himself and others; now Aster and his grandmother are working on a secret project to heal Mikasi, who is stuck in dragon form. Meanwhile, Aster's non-magic friend Charlie clicks with new-girl Ariel, who is a witch but doesn't know it. Bullied and struggling with feeling misunderstood and different, Ariel lashes out at others with uncontrollable dark magic, and she risks a fate similar to Mikasi's. Themes of trust, forgiveness, identity, and acceptance shine brightly throughout Ostertag's graphic novel. Thick black outlines allow for the muted autumnal colors to pop, and a variety of lettering, balloons, and panel styles adds energy and depth to both plot and characterization. Dialogue and cues in the visual narrative reveal small moments of tension and connection between characters. These awkward, honest coming-of-age interactions mixed with spot-on world-building offer something for fans of fantasy and realistic fiction alike. elisa gall

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)