When Kara was six, her mother was executed for practicing witchcraft. Kara can still remember that terrible day. Now her father is a shadow of the man he was, and her family is ostracized by the community for the taint of sin upon them. They can just barely scrape by in their miserable lives. Then Kara follows a bird into the Thickety and she discovers a book of magic. The book could give her the power to make all their lives better, but if she is caught she'll suffer the same fate as her mother.
The basic concept of a witch being persecuted by a religious community is pretty well-trod, but the setting and the style of magic in this novel are completely original. The Thickety is an ominous presence full of unknown dangers and Kara's feelings of excitement and foreboding as she discovers her power are palpable. I'd give this to students looking for a fantasy adventure novel with strong characterization.
Erica's Picks
Grade 5 - 8
Tags: Character driven, fantasy, horror
The basic concept of a witch being persecuted by a religious community is pretty well-trod, but the setting and the style of magic in this novel are completely original. The Thickety is an ominous presence full of unknown dangers and Kara's feelings of excitement and foreboding as she discovers her power are palpable. I'd give this to students looking for a fantasy adventure novel with strong characterization.
Erica's Picks
Grade 5 - 8
Tags: Character driven, fantasy, horror
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