I love all things witchy. And oh man, is The Okay Witch an amazing witchy coming-of-age story. Not only is the art in this graphic novel beautiful and colorful and expressive, but the story is endearing and magical all in one.

Moth is such a compelling character: a girl who’s an outsider and a bit of a weirdo, whose family holds an ancient secret that she only discovers when she accidentally steals the mouths right off the faces of a pair of bullies! MAGIC IS WONDERFUL.

Moth struggles to accept not just her new layer of weird–uncontrollable magic–but also grapples with her mother’s history and their hometown and how it all affects her family. And on top of it, she finally makes a new friend and now she’s got to come around to figuring out how to be a good friend and a good witch at the same time.

Oh, and did I mention there’s a talking cat that’s possessed by the spirit of Moth’s Russian neighbor? It’s all super cute and incredibly deep with twists and stellar worldbuilding.

The Okay Witch is a must-read for all witchy fans and graphic novel fans and just anyone who loves a cute, tries-her-best main character.

Bright images and a clever story punctuate this graphic novel. I would gladly share this with readers young and old — now I want a copy for my office! Well done.

Great graphic novel for young readers to adults! Thanks again to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC. I fell in love with the cover and description, so I knew I had to read it! I love “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and this graphic novel reminded me a lot of the comics and shows.

Hush learns all about becoming a witch, her family’s history, and her town’s legacy. What she does about it all is very interesting and makes for a great read. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves magic, friendship, and a good laugh! This book provides it all.

Not since Amulet or Nameless City have I loved a middle grade graphic novel more! For fans of Harry Potter, Charlie Bone, and Artemis Fowl.

I read it in one sitting and can hardly wait until it's published so I can re-read it in print!

Thank you NetGalley for the digital galley.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance copy of this adorable graphic novel for review!  When I saw this was up for review, I requested it very quickly because it just looked so stinking cute, and boy was I right!

This graphic novel follows the story of Moth Hush, a quirky girl in the throes of school and trying to have a social life with peers who don't understand her.  She is drawn to the old witchcraft story of the small town she lives in but doesn't quite understand why.  Through a series of events, she learns that her mother, Calendula, is a witch, that she is a witch, a cat she finds talks and houses the soul of a dear family friend, that her grandmother created a safe alter-dimension called Hecate for witches to live, and that witch hunters are still a thing in her town and that they are actively seeking any witches that may still be around.  This stories has a slight plot twist but is overall just a nice story about believing in yourself, trusting your instincts, and accepting people just as they are.

My favorite part of this graphic novel is the character of Moth.  She is so cute, with her huge doe-eyes and wild wonder, but she is also quite headstrong.  She is a great representation of a modern strong female who is able to fend and fight for themselves, while also understanding the importance of helping others in their time of need.  I loved the development of Moth's story and how she goes from, in the beginning being a girl who is confused and sad to someone who, in the end, helps save the day.  She gains enough confidence to speak her opinions, as well as her wants and needs while being respectful and honest.  I love seeing these strong and worthy female characters who break stereotypes about ideas like what a witch is and witchcraft. 

On a similar note, a lot of social work is done in the form of a graphic novel; several stereotypes and ideas are being actively evaluated and readjusted in this graphic novel.  The colorful and easy-to-read format of this graphic novel makes it easy to digest and discuss.  This is something that I would encourage a young reader to spend time with, but it is a good story, there are plenty of lovable characters, and the deeper messages are hearty.        

I loved this graphic novel so much!  I gave it four stars out of five because, while I loved the story, it felt like the ending was rushed.  There were several chapters that lead up to the ending, but it in itself took only 1 or 2 chapters to conclude; I would have rather it been a little more drawn out or not so rushed.  But, regardless of that, I still loved it and highly recommend it to others!

Synopsis:
When an awkward 13-year-old, Moth Hush, discovers that she is descended from a long line of powerful witches; life becomes anything but average. With the help of her mom and a bevy of zany characters; she goes on an awesome adventure to reclaim her heritage.

Review:
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I initially requested this graphic novel from NetGalley for my 13 yo daughter. While perusing a list of new releases for middle schoolers, she was drawn to this one both by the cover art and the synopsis (which she claims to "relate to"). She asked about it nonstop and inspired me to read along.

The story starts in much the same way all coming of age stories start. Meet awkward pre-teen, Moth Hush. She lives in a single-family home above a thrift/gift shop with her mother, Calendula Hush and wishes to be "special." The relationship between mother and daughter initially great, but it becomes strained after a strange occurrence at school.

On Halloween, very shortly after her 13th birthday, Moth discovers that she possesses a powerful gift quite by accident. Terrified at the changes her body was going through, she seeks the help of her mother. Here's when the strain starts. Turns out, not only does mom have the same gift, she's been secretly hoping that Moth did not. In fact, her mother has gone out of her way to avoid her gift due to a painful experience in the past. After a very strained conversation, moth agrees to her mother's terms but very quickly breaks her promise.

From this point on, I was completely invested in this story. The author does a superb job in her depiction and growth of each character. The character interactions were so "real," and each very relatable. I found myself annoyed at Moth, then overjoyed when she and her mother make up. I felt a bit silly feeling my eyes mist at the apex of the final battle, but I'll admit it here. There were a few laugh-out-loud moments as well as I revisited my own awkward early teen years. I recommend this book to young and not-so-young women who enjoy quirky, coming of age tales with a paranormal twist.

When it comes to witches, I am all over it! This middle grade graphic novel followed a young girl on her journey to harness her new found powers while confronting the harsh town history and where her family belongs in it.

I honestly loved every minute of this graphic novel. I was a little hesitant at first since it was middle grade, but I loved it none the less. There was a wonderful level of humor to balance out the intense history.

Additionally, it was a wonderful portrayal of a coming of age story. Moth always felt like an outcast and once she found out her family history, much like her powers, her story arch also began to blossom. In hand, there was a wonderful parallel between Moth’s struggles as well as her ancestor’s struggles.

Even though they were born centuries apart and dealt with differing topics, there was still a clear line between the two. But most importantly, Moth grew in a way to bridge the two together and form her own path in life.

This is the exact kind of graphic novel I wish I could have had growing up. Not only is the magic and artwork intriguing, but it teaches a wonderful lesson in staying true to yourself and sticking to your morals, no matter the obstacles in your way.

I can’t wait to show this graphic novel to some young women in my life, and hopefully they will see the enjoyment I had while reading it myself!

This was a fun graphic novel about a tween girl who doesn't quite fit in. When she discovers that she is a witch, descended from witches, she begins a journey to discover who she really is and where she fits in to her hometown. The art was great, and the story was cute. I think a lot of middle grades kids will enjoy The Okay Witch.

The Okay Witch is adorable from start to finish. If you don’t love it for the art, you’ll love it for Moth and her journey of self-discovery.

Moth Hush is a weird, friendless outcast who discovers that her family isn’t at all what it seems. Putting magic in place for the consequences of our emotional outbursts, Moth literally steals the mouths right off some bullies’ faces.

The Okay Witch features all kinds of teenage witch favorites: talking cat, cool best friend, family secrets, and other realms.

I really loved watching Moth figure out the extent of her powers reveling in her triumphs and reacting to the uncontrollable nature of her magic. An especially empowering scene comes near the end when Moth decides to make a commitment to herself and her magic in her own way, telling both her mother and her grandmother that it’s hers to discover.

Which is a great coming-of-age message that no two people will get through the same experience in the same way.

The Okay Witch is a must-read for everyone, adults and kids.

(review will be live closer to publication)

The Okay Witch is a graphic novel chapter book written and illustrated by Emma Steinkellner. Due out 3rd Sept 2019 from Simon & Schuster on their Aladdin imprint, it's 272 pages and will be available in hardback, paperback, and ebook formats.

Aimed at middle grade readers, this is a coming of age story about a girl who's trying to find her way balancing school, family, making friends, and growing up. She's got even more to deal with when she accidentally finds out that she's a witch from a very long line of witches.

The art and story are both strong and balance one another very well. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and I really liked that main character Moth was a sympathetic normal kid, dealing with bullying at school, some isolation, being different, a lot of the things the target readership are also dealing with. I did think it was possibly a bit cliché that she was from Massachusetts, but it didn't detract from the story, and wasn't overemphasized in the book. I also really liked it that Moth (&family) are people of color. That is also not overemphasized in the book, which was nice. She's also living in a single parent family, with her mom as sole caregiver and having grown up without a father.

The cat is hysterical and I adored his voice in the book (no spoilers but the cat is *awesome*).

The art and design are top quality. The story is appealing and told very well. The protagonists are engaging and sympathetic. I really enjoyed this book.

Five stars, long live Moth & co.

Social media (blog, twitter, goodreads, Amazon) reviews to come closer to publication date.

<i>The Okay Witch </i>by Emma Steinkellner was more than okay. In fact, it was actually a rather fun and cute book with a bit of an insightful look into the Salem witch hunts. Now, this is definitely more of a kids book and doesn't really get into a lot of the deeper subjects that surround what went on back in those days, but it still touches base on some aspects of the situation. The story follows a young girl called Moth, someone who generally doesn't fit in at school and whose best friend really does appear to be her mother, as she comes into her magic and learns all about her both her family's history and the powers that she was always destined to have and her mother wants to run away from. With the help of an old friend who's been brought back as a Cat, Moth peruses her mother's old journal in order to learn the truth of both her magic and her ancestry and the story turns out to be a lot more fascinating than she ever could have realized, for you see...Moth and her mother live in modern times.

When a new boy moves to town, Moth finally manages to make a friend with whom to navigate this crazy new world she's been introduced to. He manages to help make her experience learning the new changes in her life a little more fun and purposeful. Of course, with the secrets of her mother's past and the truth behind who her new friend's father is, not everything in this coming of age story is going to develop smoothly. And when Moth's mother's past materializes into something a bit more than a past left behind, everything begins to change.

I really enjoyed reading <i>The Okay Witch</i>. Unlike most graphic novels, this one actually came to a rather satisfying conclusion rather than leaving us with a ridiculous and annoying cliffhanger as we eagerly await to find out what happens next, frustrated that the story ended so quickly and there wasn't more to it. This one very much felt like a full story, complete with a satisfying character arc and conclusion to the encroaching conflict. It had wonderful characters, an exciting plot, and fantastic artwork. And <i>The Okay Witch </i>is a perfect story for the age group that it's intended for. I definitely know I would have enjoyed it immensely had I read it at that age.

I will admit that a part of the resolution at the end seemed a bit forced but other than that this was an excellent story that I'm grateful to have gotten a chance to read and would certainly recommend. I don't know if I'd go out of my way to buy it since I don't really see myself re-reading the story, but I will definitely keep a look out to see if there are any sequels since I'd love to see what happens next for young Moth and her journey of becoming a witch of the modern world. It's somewhat Sabrina-eque.

<i>I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

When 13-year old Moth learns she's a witch, she can't contain her enthusiasm. However, her mom's refusal to even talk about magic has he looking for information from other sources. Moth soon finds that magic is much harder than it looks.
I loved this book. It's very well drawn, the characters are fun and relatable, and the story is fast paced and keeps the reader interested. I really hope this will turn into a series because I would love to read the next one.

This is a delightful story about finding out who you are and what you are meant to be. Moth, a thirteen-year old girl, knows that she doesn't always fit in with others. After she discovers that she is a half-witch, she searches for more answers about her family and powers. With the help of a talking cat and her mom's diary, she enters a new world in which she learns her destiny. I loved the characters, illustrations, and story! This is a spell-binding graphic novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I can't wait to book talk this with my students.

I received a copy of this in exchange for an unbiased honest review.

The publisher has requested to keep reviews until a month before the book’s release.

What I can tell you — I inhaled this graphic novel! Loved it. You should snag it when it comes out in September for your classrooms or friends. I’ll tell you more in August- k bye bye for now,

This middle grade graphic novel is about a witch of color, with the curious and charming name of Moth Hush, of Founder's Bluff, Massachusetts, who is about to discover that her love of witchery isn't just a fad of hers! Eighth-grade bullies are what triggers her powers coming to the fore, and there's no looking back.

Yes, it's a bit trope-y that this takes place in Massachusetts. I'm a little tired of that, but I decided to let that slide since this novel had more going for it than your usual tedious trope 'Salem witches' rip-offs, which personally I find offensive on behalf of the innocent women who died because of blind religious hatred.

It turns out that Moth's home town has a history of witch-related activity, including a family of witch-hunters. Plus there is, as the blurb advises, a talking cat which some readers may find familiar (that was a joke - a little chortle in the cauldron!). There is also an enchanted diary, and a hidden realm - because you have to call these things a realm, right? Anything less simply will not do. But there is also conflict, a sort of tug-of-war between old and new, and Moth isn't the sort of person to back down and give up.

I liked the story and the art, although the character's noses seemed a bit weird, but I didn't worry about that. I enjoyed the story and the main character (I'm a complete softy for a strong female lead), and I commend it as a worthy read.

Fun coming of age book set in a town with a Salem-like feel. When Moth Hush discovers she's a witch in a town famous for hating witches, she uncovers a heritage she never knew she had and determines what really matters to her.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, and Aladdin for the advance reader copy of The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner, in exchange for an honest review. Middle grade readers will totally enjoy Moth Rush, an independent, honest, normal, happy girl who finds out she is a witch! But her mother, who has kept this secret, refuses to teach her or let her practice magic. While Moth struggles with her mom, she learns more about her descendants and history of turmoil. What is a girl to do when she wants to delve into magic and learn all she can about her witch history? Moth is also involved in the school play which trumpets the history of witch hunts and her burgeoning “magic” has helped her best friend capture the lead. The drawings in this graphic novel are vivid and show both worlds where Moth learns she has witch family and problems. Moth’s facial expressions are awesome and her eyes just pop with feeling, excitement, courage, and aggravation. The plot will keep readers turning those pages. Highly recommended.

Adorable and powerful, The Okay Witch is a wonderful story about finding yourself and being true to it, accepting your past, embracing it, and leaving it behind for the future. I would recommend this to any middle or high schooler.

This was such a lovely middle grade graphic novel! First of all, the art is adorable and very solid throughout. I loved the dialogue and how the chapters feel like episodes.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Kiki's Delivery Service meets Roller Girl in this fantastic graphic novel about family, friendship, and forging your own destiny.

Moth Hush is thirteen and loves everything about witches: books about witches, anime about witches, movies about witches. So it should be the best day of her life when her mom tells her the truth: she comes from a family of witches and she can use magic! Except her mom refuses to do spells and magic, and immediately tells Moth that she can't learn magic. But Moth won't give up, and is determined to become a self-taught witch with the help from her magic talking cat... who happens to be possessed by the ghost of her mom's ex-boss. It's complicated. It gets even more complicated when Moth learns of her family's role in the town's infamous history with witch hunts. And somehow even more complicated when she learns the role her new best friend plays into that history, too. Can Moth save the day and discover the person--the witch--she is meant to be?

Moth is precious and I love this small child with all my heart. Her design is so cute, but her character is such a wonderful young woman trying to find her place in the world, discover more about her family's past, and make the world a better place. All of the art is wonderful, and I'll be excited to re-read this title upon publication to read it in full color. Readers of all ages will fall under Moth's spell, and be delighted with every single page!