Member Reviews
The Okay Witch is a fun read about Emma a witch-in-progress. She's a teenager, loves all things to do with witches, and has just exhibited her new powers. Things go crazy when she meets a talking cat, she unlocks a hidden world she did not know existed and then falls into an enchanted diary.
Great graphic novel and one that I hope will continue into a series.
I really loved this. I thought it was such a cute little story. I liked the art style a lot as well.
A neat story with a realistic character and appealing art. This is a good if not extraordinary middle-grade graphic novel.
Fun middle grade graphic novel about a girl hanging-in-there in school who suddenly discovers that she is descended from a long line of witches. Witches are a good theme for teens or preteens who feel like the other. The powers would come in handy for dealing with school mates, so this subject is a good one for many kids.
What a fantastic little book. I loved everything about it. Such cute and well developed characters. I think this would be a prefect fall read. It has the witchy element but it could really be read anytime a year.
I loved this story of a witch discovering herself and her lineage of witches in Salem, Mass. I interviewed the creator at https://dulemba.blogspot.com/2019/10/emma-steinkellners-okay-witch_17.html . Such a talent! I look forward to more!
More than okay, this book had me completely captivated! It has a great amount of humor (the cat!) and broached topics like family responsibility, growth (especially the awkward type present in early teen years) and also identity that resonated, and will resonate with many others. Would love for Moth's story to continue, and will for sure keep an eye out for Steinkellner's future works.
Great middle grade graphic novel! I love Moth's relationship with her mom and how that really turns it to be the most important thing. If your students like graphic novels with some honor, friendship, and fantasy they will enjoy this book!
Life gets complicated real fast when you discover you're a witch.
Moth is different from all the other kids her age. She doesn't have any other friend's other than her mom. She's obsessed with anything witchy which in a small town like Founder's Bluff, attracts bullies. And she is a witch herself! Or so she discovers. For some reason her mom's never told her about being a witch herself, she doesn't want anything to do with witchcraft, and refuses to teach Moth how to use her magic. That doesn't stop Moth who goes on a journey of self-discovery, learning about her family's history, and makes friends on the way.
The magic, family bonding, and new friendships in The Okay Witch made this a wonderful read. I don't usually read anything with a historical feel, but I enjoyed how history and magic were intertwined with Moth's story. Moth is such a fun and easily likable character. She's a protagonist whose fun to follow and discover things with. She befriends the new kid in town who happens to be a Kramer. The Kramer's are the town's elite. They've had a centuries old feud with the Hush's. Charlie Kramer is the mayor's son and Moth's new friend. Charlie was always very kind to Moth even as she was dealing with her own drama. He was extremely enthusiastic when he found out what she could do. Moth also has Mr. Lazlo as a friend. He just happens to have died and reincarnated as a talking cat. I would definitely say that he was the comedic relief in the story as well as the wise mentor. Moth, Charlie, and Mr. Lazlo made an odd trio which worked perfectly well with this story.
There was also the element of Moth and her mother's relationship. All three generations - Moth, her mom, and her grandmother - had moments that changed their lives forever. It's the classic parent and child struggle with the child wanting one thing and the parent trying to do what's best for her kid. The three generations had different ideas on what Moth should do about her new found abilities. It added greatly to the overarching plot in the story. Her mother and grandmother's history proves to be extremely drama filled. All of that history is unraveled within the pages of this graphic novel
The Okay Witch blends history and magic together wonderfully. It's an easily enjoyable read for any age.
A brilliant graphic novel that manages to walk the line between adorable and compelling as it tackles issues like racial tensions, privilege, sexism, Salem Witch Trials, how history can be rewritten, parental expectations, and more. Emma Steinkellner has a gift. Recommended for all middle grade graphic novel collections.
Really disappointed in this book. Had high hopes, but reads more like a history book or instruction manual to how to become a witch and lost all interest. Just because it looks like a cutesy graphic novel doesn't mean it's a good graphic novel.
This is honestly everything I had hoped for. I missed the period to download this sadly, but was lucky enough that my work got a copy of it. I read it in two sittings and had a hard time putting it down. I truly loved this story, loved Moth and just how fun this story was. What added to the story was how expressive the artwork was that added another depth to it. It brought to it a new depth some graphic novels lack by just how expressive each character was. The art was lovely and simply well done. You love these characters the minute you start. Moth is a typical 13 year old who is going through growing pains of awkwardness, an added level is given when she is also a witch. I loved the representation this book gave us, giving us a queer couple, black witches that explain the added discrimination they faced, and with Charlie, a need for family that seemed to leave you behind. The story is just lovely and fun and honestly so cute. I loved every second of this and was easily drawn into their world. I'd love more of these characters, but I'll for sure look for this author in the future.
This new graphic novel had all of the best parts of a magic story: a talking cat, a family feud that spanned centuries, time travel and a magic broomstick. Even though it had all these classic elements of a magical story, it was original.
There were some historical elements to this story. Moth’s family originally had to flee their town to escape the witch hunts of the 17th century. By using magic, her family was able to survive until today.
I liked the way magic represented anyone who was not “normal.” Just because the witches had magic that no one else could understand, they were chased from their home. However, the answer is not to just run away. Moth teaches her family that there are other ways to fight back.
I loved this book!
Thank you Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a witch story that ticks all the boxes for me: history, wonder of discovery, female empowerment, and a careful study and dismantling of troubling archetypes and stereotypes. I loved getting to know Moth Hush and how the story unfolds for her and the reader. She doesn't take any easy answers or sides and her push for what she knows is right is inspiring. I think this one will find a lot of fans.
When there’s a story full of magic, with a little bit of history and mystery, I want to read it. When I came across The Okay Witch, I was immediately interested. I wasn’t looking for something advanced and really detailed, I was just looking for a tale that was light and fun.
The story deal with Moth, who learns that she’s a witch with a family in the middle of a whole magical drama. The story is a bit familiar in ways a new witch tries to learn her powers, but the history and the humor in it made it stand out. I loved learning the history of Moth’s family and the history of the town. Even with the humor in the story, I couldn’t stop smiling and laughing every few pages. Moth was a relatable character.
This graphic novel is great, amazing, and definitely worth the read (and good for Halloween maybe?). Even thought it is a middle grade novel, people of all ages can definitely read it.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. For me, I love anything witchy, and this adorable story didn’t disappoint! One of the topics this story deals with is mother and daughter issues, and I thought that was appropriate given it’s a middle grade story. I think this book would be a great addition to any middle grade library.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alladin for this review copy.
The Okay Witch is a graphic novel about a young girl named Moth that is surprised to learn that she is a witch. As she soon finds out, her mother is also a witch. However, her mother is not nearly as excited about Moth's new found abilities as she is. As it turns out, Moth's grandmother is also a witch, but faced persecution by witch hunters in the same town that Moth and her mother now live in. Moth begins to explore her newly found powers, but quickly realizes that there are additional challenges she will face because of them.
The illustrations in this graphic novel contribute greatly to the story. The expressions on the characters' faces help set the tone and accentuate the bond that Moth and her mother have for one another. Additionally, colorful illustrations add to the mood during humorous and climatic scenes.
This graphic novel would make a great addition to middle school libraries and classrooms.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #TheOkayWitch
There are a lot of things I like about this story. Yes, there's magic. But it's magic with rules. Moth doesn't just do magic. She has to learn and overextending her abilities has a cost. So does her mother attempting a large spell after years of denying her magic. It's implied that magic takes a toll on the body unless you are acclimated. I also like that the villain isn't straight up evil. We're dealing with inter-generational feuds, a mayor who has been raised on the idea that magic is inherently evil. In another book he'd be totally hard nosed, ready to burn them alive. He's able to see the light, though. Away from the influence of the ghosts, he can be made to see their perspective. A solid story with unique elements and absolutely charming art.
The Okay Witch is a sweet, beautiful graphic novel that just made my heart happy. It’s all about family, friendship and being true to yourself. What’s more important for middle schoolers?
Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Roller Girl in this hilarious, one-of-a-kind graphic novel about a half-witch who has just discovered the truth about herself, her family, and her town and is doing her best to survive middle school now that she knows everything!
The Okay Witch CoverMagic is harder than it looks.
Thirteen-year-old Moth Hush loves all things witchy. But she’s about to discover that witches aren’t just the stuff of movies, books, and spooky stories. When some eighth-grade bullies try to ruin her Halloween, something really strange happens. It turns out that Founder’s Bluff, Massachusetts, has a centuries-old history of witch drama. And, surprise: Moth’s family is at the center of it all! When Moth’s new powers show up, things get totally out-of-control. She meets a talking cat, falls into an enchanted diary, and unlocks a hidden witch world. Secrets surface from generations past as Moth unravels the complicated legacy at the heart of her town, her family, and herself.
In this spellbinding graphic novel debut, Emma Steinkellner spins a story packed with humor and heart about the weird and wonderful adventures of a witch-in-progress. (Goodreads)
Goodreads
I received an eARC of The Okay Witch from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved the art style of The Okay Witch. It perfectly complemented the writing and makes you really feel everything that Moth does. It was absolutely perfect for the story.
The Okay Witch does need trigger warnings for neglectful parents, literal witch hunts, ghostly possession, bullying, and accidental use of magic that leads to forgetting a partner.
I loved the friendship between Moth and Mr. Lazlo, and the way that Moth’s friendship with Charlie developed. Charlie’s relationship with his dad was also something that I think will resonate a lot with young readers. Mr. Lazlo was an adorable and ridiculous addition to the story that really tied it all together. We could all use a Mr. Lazlo in our lives – cat or no cat.
Spending more time in Hecate would be amazing if there’s ever a sequel, to allow Moth and Calendula and Sarah to grow more and grow together as a family.
I highly recommend this book. You can pick up a copy on Amazon, Indiebound or The Book Depository. It’s great for any age range and you won’t regret your purchase.
This was a wonderful graphic novel that really touched on the unfair treatment that witches faced in the past. The illustrations and storyline all flowed and I love the evolution of Moth as a character.