"The Witch Boy" is a young adult fantasy graphic novel written and illustrated by Molly Knox Ostertag. The story revolves around a young boy named Aster who lives in a magical community where girls become witches and boys become shape-shifters. However, Aster has a different calling - he wants to become a witch. In his community, this is strictly forbidden and frowned upon. Witchcraft is considered a girl's domain, and boys are expected to follow the path of shape-shifting magic. Aster, however, feels a strong affinity towards witchcraft and finds it difficult to suppress his natural abilities.
"With charming artwork, interesting supporting characters, natural-feeling diversity, and peeks of a richly developed world, this book leaves readers wishing for more." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review"Ostertag's bright, gentle, cartoonlike artwork brims with life and adds extra appeal to this fast-moving story. An excellent choice for reluctant readers, fans of fantasy, and those looking for books that explore gender roles." - School Library Journal, starred review"Thrilling and sweet. Ostertag is one of comics' brightest new voices." - Hope Larson, author of Compass South"Ostertag is creating worlds and witches for the modern young reader." - Lucy Knisley, author of Something New and Relish"Dazzling . . . a contemporary fantasy for anyone who's struggled with defining themselves." - Marika McCoola, author of theNew York Times bestselling Baba Yaga's Assistant
Deliberate Values Dissonance Charlie is the only person who s openly cool with Aster being a witch, if only because as a Muggle, she has no frame of reference for what magical folk would consider normal or proper. However, Aster breaks the cycle by being comfortable with his witchery in place of shapeshifting, while Mikasi tried to use witchery to shapeshift and so was mutated.
Aster, however, feels a strong affinity towards witchcraft and finds it difficult to suppress his natural abilities. Throughout the novel, Aster struggles with the expectations placed upon him by his family and community. He secretly practices witchcraft in isolation, using his abilities to solve a mystery surrounding the disappearance of some of his male relatives.
The Witch Boy: A Graphic Novel (The Witch Boy Trilogy #1) (Hardcover)
From the illustrator of the web comic Strong Female Protagonist comes a debut middle-grade graphic novel about family, identity, courage -- and magic.
In thirteen-year-old Aster's family, all the girls are raised to be witches, while boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who dares cross those lines is exiled. Unfortunately for Aster, he still hasn't shifted . . . and he's still fascinated by witchery, no matter how forbidden it might be.When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help -- as a witch. It will take the encouragement of a new friend, the non-magical and non-conforming Charlie, to convince Aster to try practicing his skills. And it will require even more courage to save his family . . . and be truly himself.
About the Author
Molly Knox Ostertag is the acclaimed ABA Indies and New York Times bestselling graphic novel author-illustrator of The Girl from the Sea and the Witch Boy trilogy: The Witch Boy , The Hidden Witch , and The Midwinter Witch , as well as a writer for animation. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts, Molly was featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30: Media list in 2020. She’s married to fellow writer and artist ND Stevenson, and they live in Los Angeles with two cats and a very cuddly dog. You can find her online at mollyostertag.com.
Praise For…
"With charming artwork, interesting supporting characters, natural-feeling diversity, and peeks of a richly developed world, this book leaves readers wishing for more." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review"Ostertag's bright, gentle, cartoonlike artwork brims with life and adds extra appeal to this fast-moving story. An excellent choice for reluctant readers, fans of fantasy, and those looking for books that explore gender roles." - School Library Journal, starred review"Thrilling and sweet. Ostertag is one of comics' brightest new voices." - Hope Larson, author of Compass South"Ostertag is creating worlds and witches for the modern young reader." - Lucy Knisley, author of Something New and Relish"Dazzling . . . a contemporary fantasy for anyone who's struggled with defining themselves." - Marika McCoola, author of theNew York Times bestselling Baba Yaga's Assistant
"With charming artwork, interesting supporting characters, natural-feeling diversity, and peeks of a richly developed world, this book leaves readers wishing for more." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review"Ostertag's bright, gentle, cartoonlike artwork brims with life and adds extra appeal to this fast-moving story. An excellent choice for reluctant readers, fans of fantasy, and those looking for books that explore gender roles." - School Library Journal, starred review"Thrilling and sweet. Ostertag is one of comics' brightest new voices." - Hope Larson, author of Compass South"Ostertag is creating worlds and witches for the modern young reader." - Lucy Knisley, author of Something New and Relish"Dazzling . . . a contemporary fantasy for anyone who's struggled with defining themselves." - Marika McCoola, author of theNew York Times bestselling Baba Yaga's Assistant
- Juvenile Fiction / Fantasy & Magic
- Juvenile Fiction / Family
- Juvenile Fiction / Paranormal, Occult & Supernatural
- Paperback (October 31st, 2017): $12.99
My 7 year-old is a strong reader and it can be hard to find things that are challenging reading that are age appropriate. The Witch Boy seems to meet that need. The plot is compelling; issues of gender, identity, and fitting in with your family are explored but in a way that is accessible for younger audiences. The world of The Witch Boy is well-thought-out and explained, without feeling false or tacked on. And, unlike many "identity books," there is no preoccupation with crushes or other romantic relationships. A great fit for my fantasy-loving kid!
Along the way, he teams up with a non-magical girl named Charlie, who becomes his ally and friend. As Aster delves deeper into the mystery, he discovers a curse that has haunted his family for generations. He learns the truth about his heritage and must confront the rigid traditions and beliefs that have kept him from embracing his true self. "The Witch Boy" touches upon themes of gender expectations, conformity, and self-discovery. It challenges traditional gender roles and showcases the importance of being true to oneself. The novel also explores the power of friendship, acceptance, and the strength to stand up against societal norms. Ostertag's beautiful artwork brings the story to life, capturing the magical world of the characters and their emotions. The illustrations are vibrant and engaging, adding depth and dimension to the narrative. "The Witch Boy" is a compelling and thought-provoking story that appeals to readers of all ages. It encourages individuals to embrace their passions and identities, even when it goes against the expectations of others. This graphic novel serves as a reminder that everyone deserves the freedom to be who they truly are..
Reviews for "The Witch Boy: Teaching Children to Embrace Differences"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "The Witch Boy" because I love fantasy and magic, but unfortunately, I was disappointed. The story felt predictable and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and their motivations were unclear. Additionally, the world-building was minimal, leaving me with questions that were never answered. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and felt it didn't live up to its potential.
2. Mark - 2/5 stars - "The Witch Boy" had an interesting concept, but the execution fell flat for me. The pacing was uneven, with slow sections that dragged on and rushed resolutions to conflicts. The plot twists felt contrived and lacked impact. Moreover, I found the dialogue to be unrealistic and lacked depth, leading to a lack of emotional connection to the characters. While the book had its moments, I ultimately found it to be a forgettable read.
3. Samantha - 1/5 stars - I really struggled to get through "The Witch Boy." The writing style felt juvenile, and the characters were uninteresting. The story lacked originality and felt like a rehash of other books in the genre. Furthermore, the inclusion of magic and fantasy elements felt forced and disjointed from the overall plot. Overall, I found the book to be poorly written and unengaging, and I would not recommend it.