With Halloween around the corner I find myself drawn to books on witches. Here are a few new books on the subject that I've read and enjoyed recently:
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor (YA F Okorafor)
"Akata Witch!" Sunny was used to the taunt, but that didn't make it sting any less. As an albino who spent the first nine years of her life in America, Sunny was used to not fitting in with her Nigerian classmates, but she had no idea how different she was until she saw the end of the world in a candle's flame and discovered that she really did have magical powers. In Nigeria, those with magical abilities are called Leopard People and at first Sunny doesn't know what to make of their world. Among Leopard People what sets you apart is what gives you strength and because Sunny is so different she is also very powerful. At first her abilities and the new world they show her are thrilling, but before long she realizes that with her powers come a price and for every benefit the Leopard People have to offer there is a hidden danger.
I loved the world of magic that Okorafor creates in this novel where money is earned through knowledge and the librarian is one of the most powerful witches in town. Imaginative touches such as a wasp artist that stings you if you do not praise its work enough surprised and delighted me.
"Akata Witch!" Sunny was used to the taunt, but that didn't make it sting any less. As an albino who spent the first nine years of her life in America, Sunny was used to not fitting in with her Nigerian classmates, but she had no idea how different she was until she saw the end of the world in a candle's flame and discovered that she really did have magical powers. In Nigeria, those with magical abilities are called Leopard People and at first Sunny doesn't know what to make of their world. Among Leopard People what sets you apart is what gives you strength and because Sunny is so different she is also very powerful. At first her abilities and the new world they show her are thrilling, but before long she realizes that with her powers come a price and for every benefit the Leopard People have to offer there is a hidden danger.
I loved the world of magic that Okorafor creates in this novel where money is earned through knowledge and the librarian is one of the most powerful witches in town. Imaginative touches such as a wasp artist that stings you if you do not praise its work enough surprised and delighted me.
Reckless by Cornelia Funke (YA F Funke)
Of the two Reckless brothers, Jacob was always the one who lived up to the family name. Ever since he discovered the world behind the mirror he's made Reckless into his job description as he travels the fairy-tale world hunting for treasures. A comb that turns you into a crow will fetch a high price, if you can escape the witch that it belongs to and live to collect your reward. Will never knew about the world his brother disappeared to, until one day when Will discovers his secret and follows him in, only to fall victim to a fairy's curse that is slowly turning him to stone. Now the clock is ticking and Jacob will have to use everything he's learned in his travels if he wants to save Will. He never imagined that his own brother's life would end up being the most dangerous treasure he's ever sought.
I have always been a fan of new twists on classic fairy tales and this dark fairy tale world is a perfect setting to loose yourself in on Halloween.
Of the two Reckless brothers, Jacob was always the one who lived up to the family name. Ever since he discovered the world behind the mirror he's made Reckless into his job description as he travels the fairy-tale world hunting for treasures. A comb that turns you into a crow will fetch a high price, if you can escape the witch that it belongs to and live to collect your reward. Will never knew about the world his brother disappeared to, until one day when Will discovers his secret and follows him in, only to fall victim to a fairy's curse that is slowly turning him to stone. Now the clock is ticking and Jacob will have to use everything he's learned in his travels if he wants to save Will. He never imagined that his own brother's life would end up being the most dangerous treasure he's ever sought.
I have always been a fan of new twists on classic fairy tales and this dark fairy tale world is a perfect setting to loose yourself in on Halloween.
Witches! The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer (133.4 SC)
In the winter of 1692 two girls began to twitch and choke and twist their bodies into odd configurations on the floor as snow piled high outside their home. Their parents tried every remedy, but the symptoms prevailed. When a doctor was finally called to examine them his diagnosis was that the girls were bewitched. The original cause of the girls’ symptoms remains unknown to this day. What is known is that the girls’ strange behavior set off a case of witch-hunt fever that would turn neighbors against each other and result in the loss of innocent lives and ruin many others. The Salem Witch Trials are an iconic chapter of American history and its name has been evoked in modern times to point out our folly when suspicions cause us to turn against each other. But what really happened in Salem in 1692? Will we ever be able to learn the lessons this dark period of history has to teach us, or will we be forever doomed to repeat it?
This serves as a sobering reminder of what happened to some of the men and women who were accused of being witches. Shanzer takes the facts and presents them clearly and concisely. The woodcut illustrations in black, white, and red are superb and depict the grizzly, imaginative scenes described well.
In the winter of 1692 two girls began to twitch and choke and twist their bodies into odd configurations on the floor as snow piled high outside their home. Their parents tried every remedy, but the symptoms prevailed. When a doctor was finally called to examine them his diagnosis was that the girls were bewitched. The original cause of the girls’ symptoms remains unknown to this day. What is known is that the girls’ strange behavior set off a case of witch-hunt fever that would turn neighbors against each other and result in the loss of innocent lives and ruin many others. The Salem Witch Trials are an iconic chapter of American history and its name has been evoked in modern times to point out our folly when suspicions cause us to turn against each other. But what really happened in Salem in 1692? Will we ever be able to learn the lessons this dark period of history has to teach us, or will we be forever doomed to repeat it?
This serves as a sobering reminder of what happened to some of the men and women who were accused of being witches. Shanzer takes the facts and presents them clearly and concisely. The woodcut illustrations in black, white, and red are superb and depict the grizzly, imaginative scenes described well.
Only a Witch Can Fly by Alison McGhee (E MCG)
A girl comes home from trick-or-treating on Halloween and decides, she will fly. After a couple of failed attempts she finally takes off into the sky.
This picture book, written in the form of a sestina, address the reader directly to involve them in this charming flight of the imagination. The linoleum block illustrations and limited color palate add a distinctive look to the story and complement the sparse text perfectly.
A girl comes home from trick-or-treating on Halloween and decides, she will fly. After a couple of failed attempts she finally takes off into the sky.
This picture book, written in the form of a sestina, address the reader directly to involve them in this charming flight of the imagination. The linoleum block illustrations and limited color palate add a distinctive look to the story and complement the sparse text perfectly.
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