A magical story gets told in this book. At first, Ava is worried her life is over when an entrance test goes bad. They send her somewhere awful, and she is certain they don’t belong there. For a while she tries to find a way to leave this place, but it seems hopeless. Ava makes a few new friends and puts together one final plan, and something unbelievable ends up happening. Yet as this book comes to a close Ava fears she has made a terrible mistake.

This was a really cute middle grade novel. I would've loved it when I was part of the target age group. It's a little bit Harry Potter, a little bit Wicked - in a good way. The characters were relatable and the adventures were fun. I'm actually looking forward to the sequel.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

The School for Wicked Witches by Will Taylor is a spellbinding adventure that mixes humor and magic in the most delightful way! With a quirky cast of characters and a school setting that’s both enchanting and chaotic, it’s impossible not to be swept away by the fun. Taylor’s witty prose and imaginative world-building make this a must-read for anyone who loves a good twist on the classic witch tale. A charming romp that’s sure to leave you grinning!

I had so much fun reading this book with my daughter! She is very picky about what she reads, and she loved this one. We enjoyed the spin on Wizard of Oz and the Harry Potter vibes it gave off. The world building was great and made it all the more enjoyable. I also loved the messages throughout regarding labels and fitting in, which is perfect for my daughter’s age. She is excited to pick it up at her book fair next week. I definitely recommend it if you enjoy middle grade reading or have a child that does.

Thank you to Scholastic and NetGalley for the eARC

The School for Wicked Witches is a bewitching adventure that takes readers deep into a magical, twist-filled version of Oz. Will Taylor creates a delightful and unique spin on the world of witches, where the divide between good and evil isn't as clear-cut as it seems.

Ava Heartstraw, a charming and relatable protagonist, is thrust into an unexpected fate when her magic goes wrong. Banished to a school for "wicked" witches, Ava’s journey of self-discovery feels both thrilling and heartfelt as she navigates the murky politics of witchcraft. The school, full of secretive and powerful witches, adds an extra layer of mystery, making for a deliciously dark yet whimsical atmosphere.

Taylor’s world-building is impressive, blending a fresh take on Oz with themes of rebellion and self-identity. Fans of Wicked, Witchlings, and The School for Good and Evil will be especially enchanted by the way this book plays with the idea of wickedness and the power structures within magical societies.

What truly shines is the book's underlying message: the label of "wicked" isn't always what it seems. Ava’s growth, as she questions her place in the world and what it means to be truly powerful, makes this an emotionally engaging read. The cast of witches she meets along the way, each with their own hidden depths, brings both humor and tension to the story.

While the pacing stumbles slightly in a few places, the sheer creativity and immersive setting more than make up for it. The twists keep coming, and the ending leaves readers eager for what’s next.

Overall, The School for Wicked Witches is a wickedly delightful read that balances adventure, heart, and a touch of darkness.

I enjoyed this Harry Potter (messenger parrots invite them to the school instead of owls) meets The Descendants meets Wayside school middle grade Oz adventure. The main character Ava, her scarecrow- like friend Crow and cowardly friend Henry go on an adventure much like Dorothy did. They meet a terrifying witch who sounds like the White Witch from Narnia. I look forward to seeing what trouble she causes for Ava in the sequel.

( wish this book had illustrations, then it would be perfect. There is so much description of the student and faculty witches' outfits, powers, and castle- like schools that I put a lot of energy imagining the imagery. I even drew my interpretations. Specifically with the evil witch, an illustration of her impressive outfit and stature would be appreciated. )

Thank you Scholastic and NetGalley for the digital copy of this creative novel.

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher, and Will Taylor.

I love a great witchy middle grade read. Add in a school for witches and I'm sold. I was hooked from the start.

The dedication on this book was cute: "for those kids who don't fit in. You're awesome"

This story is about Ava Crow and her time spent at West Oz Academy. It addresses things like bullying and finding your place in the world. The main character asks herself, "how many accidental wicked things could one person do and still be good?"

This was a decent story. Not very deep, but cute.

Thank you to Net Galley and publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

I'm a fan on anything based on Wizard of Oz. This was a cute story about kids going to different magic schools in Oz. The main character is deemed wicked, but is there more than meets the eye. Is she wicked or just misunderstand.

Good solid read for kids ranging for 8 to 12 years old.

I recieved a free eARC of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it.

"Are people born wicked, or is wickedness thrust upon them?" (Glinda, "Wicked" the musical)

This book takes us to Oz, with a focus character who's magic is deemed "wicked". But Ava's not wicked, right?

This is an enjoyable book, very obviously a debut for a new series, that will appeal to kids who love other wizarding school novels. The Oz setting is familiar (and does a lot of world building work) without being overpowering. The characters are flawed, but it's easy to empathize with them. I think kids will LOVE this book, and I'm looking forward to more from this author.

Well done!

What worked:
Ava is a sympathetic character following her epic failure when trying to enter the West Oz Witch Academy, or WOW. Her magic affects water and plants but performing her magic near her home in the desert is drastically different from the abundant water found in the school. She’s overwhelmed during her trial performance which the teachers interpret as evil magic. Readers will root for Ava after she’s dumped into the Wicked Wagon and sent to the School for Wicked Witches (the secret name is Swickwit). Ava has mixed feelings upon her arrival but she’s determined to prove her goodness and return to WOW.
Swickwit is not at all what Ava expects or what the synopsis implies. Most witches perceive the school as a punishment with severe, strict rules for the wicked witches to follow. However, Swickwit views them as misunderstood and the teachers try to help the “wicked” witches master their unique, special abilities. Ava begins to feel more comfortable with her powers and she even learns to perform other kinds of magic. Because the school for evil witches is not what the rest of the world expects, all students are confined to the school grounds until they can be trusted to keep the secret. This typically takes about seven years so some readers might think Swickwit sounds like a prison.
Ava is caught in a difficult situation when she first meets her new roommate. Tinabella insists her trial to attend the North Oz Witch Academy was sabotaged and she’ll stop at nothing to get back and punish the responsible people. Ava quickly agrees to team up with her but it always feels like she’s following Tinabella’s lead. The other Swickwit students look down on Ava because she’s from the West so she’s not able to make any other friends. There’s one excluded boy who’s repeating his first year at Swickwit for the third time and readers will probably predict that Ava will eventually join up with him.
What didn’t work as well:
Ava is determined to get back to WOW even though Swickwit is a better fit for her. She doesn’t share much thought as to how she plans to get accepted into the school for good witches even if she can find some way to get there. Her resolve makes sense early on but the thinking is less logical as the story moves along. This character is forced to think about the bigger picture when the plot arrives at the climax.
The final verdict:
Swickwit is a curious setting due to its secrets and methods for handling “evil” witches. It creates unexpected problems for the characters and their unique abilities are both useful and potentially terrifying. Overall, the book should appeal to amusing witch lovers and I recommend you give it a shot.