Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Graphic novels have come a long way!

  

 Named a  Fall 2017 Publisher's Weekly Flying Start  and winner of the Best Mainstream Comic Prism Award, the Cybils Award, and the EBSCO SEE-IT Award, THE WITCH BOY is Molly Ostertag's debut middle grade graphic novel.   Purchase THE WITCH BOY here!    Reviews:    Kirkus Starred Review    School Library Journal Starred Review    Publisher's Weekly    NYTimes: Twelve Books for Feminist Boys and Girls   Even magic has rules . . .  Everyone in Aster’s family is born with magic. Boys grow up to be shapeshifters; girls into witches. No exceptions.  But Aster can’t seem to get the hang of shapeshifting. Instead, he spends his time spying on the witchery lessons the girls are getting. He seems to have a knack for casting spells and wants to know more, but the only person he can share his growing gift with is Charlie, a girl from the non-magical side of town.  Then, during a night of shapeshifting practice, one of the boys goes missing. Aster knows he can search for the boy with the witchcraft he’s been secretly learning. Could breaking his family’s most important tradition save the day—or ruin everything?  Click through for a preview...   The Witch Boy by Molly Osterag was a fantastic read! I enjoyed so many different aspects of this series. The characters are honest, the cultural elements are intriguing (without being fantastic) and the writing is simple yet interesting.

I particularly like the challenge of gender norms found in strong cultural settings. 
As an adult reader, I see that gender norms are being challenged, however, younger readers will most likely simply enjoy the story of a young person following his dream, in spite of his "predetermined path".

Did I mention the drawings? Fantastic! Worth the read...at any age!

Other books in the series:

 The sequel to THE WITCH BOY is out now!   Purchase the Hidden Witch here!    Kirkus Starred Review   Aster and his family are adjusting to his unconventional talent for witchery; unlike the other boys in his family, he isn't a shapeshifter. He's taking classes with his grandmother and helping to keep an eye on his great-uncle whose corrupted magic wreaked havoc on the family.  Meanwhile, Aster's friend from the non-magical part of town, Charlie, is having problems of her own -- a curse has tried to attach itself to her. She runs to Aster and escapes it, but now the friends must find the source of the curse before more people -- normal and magical alike -- get hurt.  The final book in the WITCH BOY series is out now!   Purchase THE MIDWINTER WITCH here!    Booklist Starred Review    Kirkus Review   Aster always looks forward to the Midwinter Festival, a reunion of the entire Vanissen family that includes competitions in witchery and shapeshifting. This year, he's especially excited to compete in the annual Jolrun tournament-as a witch. He's determined to show everyone that he's proud of who he is and what he's learned, but he knows it won't be easy to defy tradition.    Ariel has darker things on her mind than the Festival-like the mysterious witch who's been visiting her dreams, claiming to know the truth about Ariel's past. She appreciates everything the Vanissens have done for her. But Ariel still craves a place where she truly belongs.    The Festival is a whirlwind of excitement and activity, but for Aster and Ariel, nothing goes according to plan. When a powerful and sinister force invades the reunion, threatening to destroy everything the young witches have fought for, can they find the courage to fight it together? Or will dark magic tear them apart?

Author's Website: Molly Ostertag

Want more? How about Strong Female Protagonists!

No comments:

Post a Comment