June 1, 2018
Gr 3-5-Having no warts and no aptitude for magic, Bella doesn't look or act like the witches and warlocks in the Magic Realm. In fact, the only magical thing Bella can do is speak animal languages. After failing the entrance exam at Creepy Castle School for the third time, Bella is banished to the Person World by her cruel Aunt Hemlock. There, Bella happily discovers warm baths, flushing toilets, and ice cream. Soon, with limited success, she learns to use magic. Aided by a stray kitten named Rascal and a feathery flamingo pen that triples as a wand and flying broomstick, magical mishaps abound for Bella and her friends. Readers will find Bella likable. She often spouts silly expressions, like "pickled porcupines" and "trembling toadstools," and is deeply fascinated with the world of humans. Readers will especially enjoy the line drawings sprinkled throughout the book. VERDICT Fans of Kuenzler's "Princess DisGrace" books will want to try this series. An additional purchase for most libraries.-Phuong Vu, West Jordan Library, UT
Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
June 15, 2018
A self-described "hopeless witch" finds a warm and welcoming home.Belladonna Broomstick is chronically challenged when it comes to magic. When she fails the entrance exam to the Creepy Castle School for Witches and Wizards, her misanthropic aunt Hemlock decides to send her to the mythic Person World as a foster child. Filled with misinformation about the Person World, Belladonna is initially apprehensive, but once Aunt Hemlock and Belladonna travel through the Curtain of Invisibility that conceals the Magic Realm from the Person World, they find the adorable town of Merrymeet and a charming couple in a sweet cottage. Belladonna, now Bella, loves Uncle Martin and Aunty Rose on sight and observes striking comparisons between her new family and neighborhood and her old ones. Bella basks in her new family's creature comforts: hot water, bubble baths, trendy clothes, and more delectable breakfasts. She also notes how much more attractive Persons are in comparison to the community she comes from...no more visible warts! It doesn't take long before Bella disobeys Aunt Hemlock's warnings and performs magic; hijinks ensue. Notably, Belladonna and cruel, ugly, smelly Aunt Hemlock are the only people of color depicted in the book, while the kindly Persons of Merrymeet are white. Beneath the surface tale of a lonely child who finds an accepting family lies a mire of comparisons that reinforces harsh stereotypes. This series opener promises zany fun, but by placing cruel and nonhuman people of color in opposition to lovely white humans, it does all readers a disservice. (Fantasy. 7-10)
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August 1, 2018
Grades 3-5 After failing the Creepy Castle entrance exam for the third time in a row, young, brown-skinned witch Bella Broomstick is sent from her home in the Magic Realm to live in Person World. Her aunt Hemlock uses magic to place Bella with a couple who wants a child, and Bella agrees not to try using magic again. Bella enjoys the small delights of the human world, but when the spell she thinks holds her there is at risk, the young witch finds that maybe she can work magic after all. Bella Broomstick has accoutrement that will delight her readers, from a fun cat sidekick to a flamingo pen that is more than meets the eye. The main character is empathetic, which is a great trait to illustrate to children who will read this book. The sketchlike illustrations are detailed and fun, adding another layer of richness to the story. Bella Broomstick is a character easy to relate to and cheer for. Hand this series starter to fans of Jill Murphy's Worst Witch books.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)