210 pages
Published Feb. 2, 2017 by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic.
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.
Another really great juvenile/middle grade graphic novel that my daughter suggested I read. A nice story of how Aster works to be himself, makes a great friend along the way and shows his family that sometimes rules are wrong and need to change.
Picked this up on a whim at the library not knowing a thing about it, because my son wanted to read something spooky and a witch boy sounded cool.
This story can work as a piece about rigid gender roles, inclusion, etc... or a beautifully drawn, entertaining story about witches and monsters. It works great on either level or both.
I see that it's marketed as a middle-grade graphic novel, but my son is 4 and I'm... not. We both love it to bits. (His takeaway is that Aster can't be a witch because he doesn't have green skin).
All I can say is finally. holy cannoli! Who did those actual children think they were, checking this out from the library before I could read it! Of course it was perfect, as one would expect from Molly Ostertag, goddess of graphic storytelling.
