If you love the first one, then you'll want to read this! Moth's life did not get easier just because she has powers. Instead, it may be harder because she still feels so helpless. When she finds a magical object that helps her become more than what she really is, she decides to take a chance. What she discovers is that trying to be something that you're not can completely overwhelm you and run away pretty quickly if you're not watching. I love the artwork, I love the story, I love the characters, and I really hope that I get to read so much more about Moth's adventures!

The second comic in this series picks up where the first volume leaves off (literally with a recap.) The art and the diversify of the cast of course are great, but the best part about this book is the character development. The general theme is self acceptance, I really liked this comic and I recommend it!

Many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

In this sequel to The Okay Witch, Steinkellner brings back the delightful cast of characters that I adored in the first book. In this story, Moth navigates bullies and learns to like herself, all while trying to defeat an ancient demon. The sequel delivers again on my favorite elements of the first story: kindness, magic, originality, quirkiness and a hint of nerdiness. I can't wait to see where Moth and her magical education adventures go next!

I really enjoyed this, especially when compared to the first book. The first one focused on Moth's external identity, the one based in her relationships and community, whereas this one is about her internal identity, how she views herself. A lot of kids will resonate with this one.

Although I had not read the first in the series, The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow kept me entertained and I am sure that it would do the same for my students. Emma Steinkellner, in the same spirit as Sabrina that I loved as a kid, created a lovable band of characters that you want to root for. The story is engaging and relatable to middle schoolers. It comes along with growth for the main character and beautiful story arc. I would love to see another installment.

Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing through NetGalley.
Moth is back and still struggling to fit in. Not easy when your mom and grandmother are witches who have been alive since before the Salem Witch trials. She is learning to control and use her magic but it's a slow process. All she wants is to fit in and not be bullied - nothing unusual for a middle school student. She finds an old necklace while celebrating her grandmother and "borrows" it as it says it will bring courage and bring out someone's best qualities to make them belong. As with any gift/promise such as this, there are hidden caveats. Though there are moments Moth really enjoys like standing up to and defeating the class bully and winning the annual Miss Founderella contest, she realizes the consequences are too high. Moth has to defeat a demon who wants to take over her life and rule from within her body.
Middle grade readers will appreciate the humor and slight scariness in this second book. I appreciate seeing the characters evolve and mature - flaws and all.

So glad I took a chance at reading the E ARC volume 2 on NetGalley. Not only was the artwork brilliant and the middle school angst storyline engaging, but the graphic novel goes so much deeper delving into misogyny and racism. Our protagonist Moth Hush, is a multiracial tween witch descended from persecuted 17th century witches. I especially appreciated the recap in the beginning of the book for those of us who hadn’t read volume 1. It didn’t spoil the first book, but it caught us up nicely.

Moth is just trying not to be the butt of the joke every day when she goes to school while avoiding using magic on her classmates (mom's rule). When she gets a necklace that makes her more like the cool, confident kids in her class, she can finally be seen! Too bad the necklace is possessed by a demon. Will Moth get rid of the necklace or is popularity worth possession?

I really enjoy Emma Steinkellner's art. While I have seen this story before with a loner kid finding their strength after their doppelganger tries to push them out of their own life, this was a fun take on this theme. Moth, her friends, and her family all stand out as individuals. I loved seeing Moth grow from the first book.

I try my best to look up books before I request them for review but somehow I overlooked that The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow was a sequel. I have not read the first book. I was still able to read this one and enjoy it but some things were a little confusing. Also, the plot seemed to bounce around without much focus. I don't know if that's because of the first book's story or not. So I will have to see if my library has the first. This series is reminiscent of Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

I squealed when I finished The Okay Witch (#1) a few months ago to find out that book 2 was on its way real soon. Well lucky me, I was able to read this one via NetGalley! If you haven’t read the first graphic novel then you MUST! In this sequel we see Moth Hush make a not so smart decision and she intertwines her magic in a way that doesn’t go as planned. She just wants to feel “in” and cool, but of course changing who she truly is has its consequences… again LOVED the illustrations and I need more people and kiddos to read this series because it is funny, heartwarming, and enticing.

I was excited to read the second book in this adorable graphic novel series. The first book was wonderful and really set up an interesting magical lore and world within our normal one.
In this book, which picks up pretty immediately after the last, main character Moth has now settled into the reality of being a witch. Which is great! But now she faces a new obstacle. Winter break has ended and she has to go back to school where she doesn’t fit in and is not really accepted. On this, the author does a great job of realistically portraying the way kids alienate and bully each other. Moth, understandably wants to fit in and thinks magic may be the way she can finally do this. But of course magic has a price and not everything goes as expected.
I thought the story was wonderfully done and a great addition to the series. I think children will be excited to read this new story and catch up with Moth. I hope there are more Okay Witch books going forward!

I received a free digital ARC through NetGalley. A Sabrina the Teenage Witch for a new generation this is fun and has just the right dose of magic.

4.5 stars. I love this middle grade graphic novel series!

Moth’s experiences are so relatable to middle grade audiences. In this book, Moth struggles with bullying and her desire to fit in with her classmates, even if it means compromising who she is and doing something dangerous. Moth makes mistakes, but she learns from them. This book also explores Moth’s race more than the first book did.

I liked the first book a little bit more, but this still knocks it out of the park. I adore watching Moth master her developing witchy powers while dealing with typical teenage issues in this heartfelt series. I recommend this series for all ages, but especially upper elementary and middle grade children.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for gifting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

In the second volume of the Okay Witch, we see Moth struggling to be herself in a school, and town, that doesn't always like and respect that. I highly recommend reading the first volume of the Okay Witch not only because this books is a continuation but because it's really well-written and fun. Moth is a witch, just like her mother and grandmother, which causes problems for her. Moth is sick of being made fun of and laughed at in school. So when she has the opportunity to be a better version of herself, she takes it. However, with most things having to do with magic, not everything is as it seems. In the book we see Moth come to terms with who she is and how she fits in in her family, her school, and her town. I think this is well-written with really great art. I like the friendship aspects as well as the way Moth has to deal with bullies. I look forward to the next book to see where magic, and life, take Moth!

The exposition is a little longer than necessary, and the book might be too wordy for a younger audience. For book lovers and older kids, however, the world building, character building, and relationships are fun to explore.
The facial expressions and gestures are well drawn and the art style is attractive.
The characters are very honest and I appreciate the support that Moth receives from the adults (and cat) in her life, as well as the support she receives from her friends. The main characters are very mature and try really hard to have healthy relationships with each other, which is encouraging.
This book touches on serious issues that young people face, including racism, bullying, having a single parent, etc. The way these topics are handled in the story feel natural and honest, not forced. The story has a message and a purpose, and the characters are believable and likable without being artificially perfect.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for an ARC of this book.

Pros:
-Super cute art
-The teenage angst! the feelings! OMG middle is the worst for nerdy kids and this book understands!
-Positive message and relationships

Cons:
-Looking at it from the target audience's POV, I got nothing
-From my teacher POV, I was bothered by some of the jokes at the expense of the teacher character

I'm glad there was a recap because I literally forgot what happened in this series after I read probably five graphic novels and at least three books about witches last year. This is a great continuation of Moth's story about being a teenage witch. Now into her second semester of 8th grade, Moth just wants to be a cool kid and decides using magic is the best way to get there. Of course, the magic she uses has some drawbacks.

This is a great middle school story about standing up to bullies and offers alternatives to kids for what to do instead of just ignoring them. The overall message of standing up for yourself and acceptance is such an important topic for kids this age. I want to drill "If I don't bother you, why do you bother me?" as a come back for my kiddos who get picked on.

I highly recommend this for middle school students, especially those struggling to find their crowd, and I hope Emma Steinkellner continues Moth's journey of becoming a witch with more installments.

*reviewed from uncorrected eARC via netgalley*

diverse children's middlegrade graphic novel (Moth tries to use magic to fit in better at middleschool and not get teased, but it backfires).

readable, relatable story with positive messaging for middleschoolers who are "different." Would definitely recommend to any kids in that age group. 2nd in series, but still works great as a standalone.

As with the previous book in this series, the artwork is lovely and the story keeps you interested in both the moral and the actual way we get there. Moth is developing into a wonderful character who is learning what it means to be a witch through some very important life lessons that translate well into the middle schooler experience. While there are characters who are less than wonderful people, they aren't truly evil - except the demon of course - and that makes this book even better for kids who are sorting through the same issues that Moth faces. I do wish we'd had a bit more Hecate in this book, but I get that it isn't the focus nor will it be as the series - I hope there are more books - evolves. Because this is the second book, I felt like we got a bit more focus on Moth and her character, as well as those around her, than in the first book where we were really working through her discovery that she's a witch. I actually think that made this book stronger (for me) than the first.

All in all, good second book and will make me read others in the series.

Another stellar example of inclusion and celebration of blackness and difference. In exploring what it means to be a young witch, Moth encounters some unfortunately common bullying at school and tries to address it in a way that takes things a little sideways. She is an empowered young woman, encouraged to trust her own judgement, and celebrated for her learning. I recommend this to all middle grade readers!

I was eager to read the next chapter in Moth’s story. I was impressed with how the story related bullying in the school setting. It was very relevant to what my own children are experiencing in middle school and how they have decided to speak up for themselves and others to stop the cycle. I love this series! Can’t wait to read another.