(3) YA Black Witch Chronicles series. Elloren has unofficially broken with her oppressive home country, joining a united undercover rebellion with her brothers and school friends. Every day, it's a race to evacuate all those she cares about while personally battling her attraction to two powerful men as well as her grandmother's destructive witch legacy. This sequel to The Black Witch is once again a timely portrayal of gender and racial oppressions.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(3) 4-6 Apprentice Witch series. Now a qualified witch, Arianwyn (The Apprentice Witch) is sent back to Lull by the Council of Elders to find a book filled with magical glyphs. But the locals' demands for charms from their resident witch compete with her larger mission. Nicol expands his portrait of determined Arianwyn and the old-fashioned magic that governs her world, though the dangers that threaten both await resolution in a later volume.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 1-3 Backyard Witch series. Illustrated by Deborah Marcero. When Maya loses the school spelling bee--to Sadie, one of her best friends, of all people!--her confidence is shaken. With the help of quirky neighborhood birdwatcher/witch Ms. M (who happens to be substituting as the school's librarian), Maya overcomes her jealousy, regains confidence, and learns important lessons about friendship. Spot art appears throughout this third amiable installment.

Reviewer: Kari Allen

(3) 4-6 Witch Wars series. Illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson. After newly crowned Top Witch Peggy's disappearance, evil Felicity Bat succeeds her, and it's up to nine-year-old Tiga (Witch Wars) and her good witch friends to restore order to Ritzy City. Short chapters quickly jump from one outrageously funny scene to another, and colorful characters and pure silliness abound throughout. Anderson's black-and-white illustrations are detailed and stylish, complementing the text.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) 1-3 Backyard Witch series. Illustrated by Deborah Marcero. In this second book, Ms. M, a diminutive, kindly witch with unexpected talents, makes her return as Jess's babysitter and serves as the catalyst for a reconciliation between Jess and her cuisine-obsessed chef mother. Culinary disasters, food jokes, and cookery-related back matter (including a grilled tofu recipe) round out the fun in this illustrated chapter book. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis

(2) 1-3 Backyard Witch series. Illustrated by Deborah Marcero. Nine-year-old Sadie is in a sour mood after her friends vacation without her. Then a small witch moves into Sadie's playhouse. Ms. M. is a birdwatcher witch, or ornithomancer; bitten by the birding bug, Sadie is lured out of her snit by a fresh awareness of nature. Sprightly prose will pull in readers, and spot illustrations keep the pages lively. Birding tips are appended.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2015

(4) YA Life's a Witch series. At a summer camp for teen witches, Hadley (Life's a Witch) becomes convinced that her boyfriend's ex-girlfriend, Brooklyn (What the Spell?), is out to get her. But would Brooklyn nearly kill Hadley? And why are Hadley's friends acting so strangely? Spooky happenings create plenty of suspense, but unfortunately the novel's ending is a letdown.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) YA Cahill Witch Chronicles series. Cate is reeling from Maura's betrayal but turns her attention to the fever that engulfs New London and a growing rift within the Sisterhood that threatens to tear it apart. Without Finn's steadfast love, but with the support of a secret Resistance, can Cate finally stop the Brotherhood's persecution of witches? Stakes continue to rise in this satisfying series conclusion.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) YA Life's a Witch series. When she turns sixteen, Brooklyn, a witch, can finally begin casting spells. She uses magic to give herself a makeover; get her crush to like her; and pass tests in order to join "The Elite," her school's ultra-cool crowd. Brooklyn's obsession with popularity and inability to see The Elite's true colors are tiring, but the intriguing conclusion sets up a promising sequel.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(4) YA Life's a Witch series. Popular cheerleader Hadley becomes the leader of a coven of teen witches when their parents are killed by the power-hungry Parrishables. As they grieve, Hadley and the group practice spells in preparation to fight the Parrishables, though Hadley is distracted by cute newcomer Asher. Originally self-published, the text occasionally lacks polish but will satisfy those seeking a supernatural battle between good and evil.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(3) YA Cahill Witch Chronicles series. As the witches of New London are stripped of power by the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood waits to see which of Cate and her blood sisters will fulfill the oracle's prophecy. Yet there's division within the convent's walls, and each woman must choose whom she supports. Cate's thoughtful, sensible voice leads readers through this compelling second installment to an ending they won't expect.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(3) YA Cahill Witch Chronicles series. Cate has spent years protecting her family's secret from prying eyes. She and her sisters are witches and therefore pose a threat to the patriarchal Brotherhood. Soon Cate must choose marriage or the Sisterhood, and her coming of age is bringing out those who want to help as well as those who would use the sisters for their own gain. This first installment is an all-around smart and gripping tale.

Reviewer: Rebecca Hachmyer

(4) YA Witch & Wizard series. Siblings Whit and Wisty complete their struggle against the oppressive regime that has taken power. Perspective switches back and forth between the siblings as the story progresses, allowing us to see events from both viewpoints. This sometimes meandering dark tale does not shy away from death and destruction as the heroes struggle to harness their powers without destroying themselves in the process.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) YA Witch & Wizard series. Siblings Whit and Wisty (Witch & Wizard) continue their fight against the oppressive regime that has taken power. The protagonists attempt to harness their magical powers and free their parents. Perspective switches between the siblings as the story progresses, allowing us to see events from both--sometimes very different--perspectives in this dark and involving, if occasionally meandering, tale.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo