All that Grace has ever wanted was a home. Can she find it with a wicked witch? I thoroughly enjoyed watching Grace try to decipher the witch's grimoire so that she could become her apprentice and keep her magic. A lovely tale of longing, love, mistakes, and magic. Karen Huerta

This novel is a 2024 Lone Star selection, geared more for younger audiences although any age would enjoy the unusual and sweet story. Our main character, Grace, must be read melodramatically. She loves vocabulary and responds to the world in the most melodramatic way possible. She goes to the witch's house after leaving the orphanage, seeing the home as beautiful and the witch as terrible. She turns words around--terrible is good; after all, that's what witch's should be. Upon meeting the witch, telling her that she herself is a witch, and eating the witch's food, she then wakes up to find herself being cooked in the oven. Can witches cook another witch? No, it's against the code. Grace reappears at the witch's home--after being thrown out--determined to win the witch over. They strike a bargain. Grace must complete all of the spells in the witch's grimoire in less than a year. There are 100 1/2 spells. No lessons ensue; Grace must figure it all out. If she doesn't, she must give her magic to the witch. If she succeeds, she can be the witch's apprentice. Grace always feels lonely, so living in this beautiful cottage with a witch is her dream come true. She has her crow that talks with her and help her, but otherwise, she's been alone. The witch always calls her a "silly girl," but insists Grace attend school. Otherwise, she'll get in trouble for not sending a minor to school. There Grace meets Serena. Serena immediately latches onto Grace, recognizing an interesting person. She's living with the witch! She's a witch herself! That's marvelous. She decides to help Grace with the spells and they become best friends. The book revolves around relationships. Everyone feels lonely and alone. The terrible witch alienates everyone, which is easy when you eat children. Nonetheless, she needs people, too. Serena has a sister who believes she can be invisible, and Serena allows it because she leaves Serema alone, making it easy to babysit. Grace exhibits natural skills as a witch. Witch eyes frighten people. Grace's eyes make people see their biggest regret. No one wants someone around like that! So, there's the relationship between the witch and Grace, which is mostly amusing. You know the witch really likes Grace, but she is a witch.... Grace and Serena show what friendship can be. I love how matter-of-fact Serena is and will patiently wait for Grace when she has a moment and cries. There are lovely surprises in the book concerning the witch's life--yes, they are terrible, but they make for an interesting story. Perhaps there's a wee bit of redemption. Maybe not. It's a really sweet fairy tale of what happened to the wicked witch in all of the stories you've read. Who will take her place? Grace, of course. Leave expectations behind and enjoy this molodramtic character and her year of bringing people together. (read less)

This novel is a 2024 Lone Star selection, geared more for younger audiences although any age would enjoy the unusual and sweet story. Our main character, Grace, must be read melodramatically. She loves vocabulary and responds to the world in the most melodramatic way possible. She goes to the witch's house after leaving the orphanage, seeing the home as beautiful and the witch as terrible. (read more)