Book Review of The Book Witch
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The Children’s Book Review
What to Expect: Magic, books, friendship, overcoming adversity, financial difficulties, hope.
Books and magic go together like coffee and cake. In this magical middle-grade novel, they combine to show readers that no matter how grim your reality might feel, there is always hope to be found if you know how to look.
Natalia doesn’t really fit in with the other kids in her town. While they have money for bikes, expensive clothes, and family holidays, she and her family shop at the Salvation Army and never seem to have enough money for anything—especially with her dad struggling to hold a steady job. But even more than the difference in social class, what sets Natalia apart is her love for books.
The Serenity Library is not just her refuge, but a lifeline, offering her escape from her troubles—and what she is coming to suspect might be a touch of real magic. It even seems to have won her a tenuous friendship with Josh—one of the more affluent kids from school who, with her help, discovers that books might not be so bad. Then, the Mayor announces the one thing that could make her life even worse—he’s shutting down the library. Can Natalia unlock the library’s magic in time to save it?
Natalia is a sensitive and thoughtful protagonist who grows in self-assurance and confidence as the story progresses. Readers will relate to her insecurities about fitting in and being normal, even if they do not share her concerns about money and bullying. Notably, the story illustrates the transformative power of books, learning, and knowledge to open horizons, setting the magic of the library against the backdrop of an insular Michigan small-town setting.
Exploring poverty, family relationships, and resilience, The Book Witch offers a fantastic starting point for discussing hope, change, and being different.
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About the Author
K.L. Baxton was born and raised in Michigan, where she currently resides. She started writing right after she attended Western Michigan University, graduating with degrees in Spanish and Holistic Health Care. “The Book Witch” is her first novel.
For more information, visit klbaxton.com.
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