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INTERMEDIATE FICTION
Ostertag, Molly Knox

The Midwinter Witch

208 pp. | Scholastic/Graphix | November, 2019 | Trade ISBN 978-1-338-54056-7 $24.99 | Paper ISBN 978-1-338-54055-0 $12.99 | Ebook ISBN 978-1-338-56640-6
(2) 4-6 This third graphic novel about the taboo-breaking male witch Aster (The Witch Boy, rev. 11/17; The Hidden Witch, rev. 3/19) finds him attending a midwinter gathering in a charmed mountainous setting. He's joined by friends Ariel (who has a history of dark magic and no knowledge of her biological family) and Charlie (who has no magical abilities). When it comes time to compete for "Midwinter Witch," a coveted role traditionally reserved for girls in the clan, both Aster and Ariel face challenges of identity, truth, and belonging. In the panel illustrations, colored with bold and lush hues, subtle glances between characters often reveal their inner thoughts and tensions, while dialogue provides narrative support to readers. Visual symbols add depth; squiggly figures inside word balloons represent the characters' magical language, and the shapes of the balloons convey tone of voice. With clear and effortless references to past installments, without too much distraction from the main narrative, this is a strong addition to the series.
Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2020

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