Natalie Lloyd does it again! She writes beautiful, realistic characters and makes the reader just want to hug them. The Witching Wind is written in dual perspectives which gives us the opportunity to have two protagonists. Both girls are fully fleshed out and go through challenges. I love the way Lloyd writes magical realism while incorporating themes of friendship, self-confidence, and what it means to be a family. Wonderful middle grade novel!

The Witching Wind
Natalie Lloyd
In The Witching Wind we meet eleven-year-old Roxie Darling. Roxie is ooking forward to entering Middle School until there was an embarrassing incident at a pool party that caused her to be on outs with her best friend, Loretta. She knew she would be bullied, and body shamed. Roxie’s Granny is Ruthie Diamond Darling, a folk singer; Roxie hopes to follow in her Granny’s steps. Granny invites Roxie to go on tour with her. Grayson Patch lives in with the Cottons in foster care; they have a three year old daughter. . She has a brittle bone disease and has to walk with a walker. Grayson’s sister, Beanie will soon turn eighteen; Grayson is excited she plans to live with Beanie after she petitions the court for guardianship.
A Witching Wind blows through the small town in Tennessee where Roxie and Grayson live. Strong winds rush through the town. Legend says the wind steals what you love. Granny is missing; she is gone, and she would never leave without saying goodbye. Roxie’s cousin, Collette and her pet groundhog help look for Granny.
On Beanie’s birthday she disappears, she doesn’t respond to text or calls.
Roxie and Grayson are in the same school and realize they are facing similar problems. They join a group called the Yeehaws a support group. Roxie is struggling with her self-esteem. Comments about her weigh hurt and come from both peers and adults.
Granny is found in the woods but doesn’t remember Roxie. The doctors and nurses say she has suffered a stroke.
The Yeehaws plan a camping trip on Monarch Mountain to find the secrets on the Witching Wind.
This is a beautiful tale for middle school students. Middle school students struggle with bullying, body shaming, as well as many other obstacles. I wanted closure for Grayson, she waited and waited for her sister to return. Grayson was disabled and would have been a great responsibility for an eighteen-year-old but I wanted a happy ending but we don’t always get what we want.
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review.

An emotional, sensitive novel with a slight supernatural bent to it. A great book for kids that are going into middle school or changing schools or anyone that has felt different or marginalized.

Told from multiple points-of-view, two girls get caught up in wondering if the supposed Witching Wind is watching and waiting to stir things up. When Roxie’s granny goes missing and her car is found with the music running, Roxie asks the wind help her find her granny. When Grayson’s sister doesn’t turn up after she’s turned 18, she wonders if the wind could help her find her sister. When the girls and their new friends find out there is a cave, they wonder if they find the cave of the Witching Wind, will the cave or the wind give them answers they are hoping for.