The Witch Boy

The Witch Boy
Molly Ostertag
Graphix/Scholastic, 2017 213 pages
Grades 4-8
Graphic Novel

In an alternate universe, that exists in a hidden wood connected to our society, lies a world of magic. The men of this world are the shapeshifters, who transform into animals in order to protect the village. The women are witches, who use magic also for protection, as well as healing and other various purposes. Ashter is a boy whose body refuses to shift into another creature. Instead, he feels a pull towards witchcraft and secretly hides during the girl's lessons to learn their magic. When Ashter's family discovers what he is up to, they are very upset. The powers that be feel that boys dabbling in witchcraft only leads to trouble. He must concentrate only on shapeshifting, except, try as he might, he's just not feeling it. Ashter wanders out of his village and into a contemporary town where he meets a non-traditional girl who is benched from basketball with a broken leg. The two become friends, as they accepts each other for their unique personalities and abilities, and he becomes determined to use witchcraft to heal her. Meanwhile, a mysterious beast is stealing the boys from the village. Who is this beast and why is he luring the boys away? Both the shape shifters and the witches are powerless to stop him. When the beast tries to coax Ashter to the dark side, he discovers the secret to possibly stopping this evil. Is he brave enough to stand up to tradition and use his witchcraft in order to save the village?

Newcomer Ostertag offers a fresh and original story sure to appeal to both boys and girls, as well as both graphic novel readers and those new to the genre. I have had this book in my possession since June and have not read it because, judging from the cover art, I thought it looked like a caveman story. After reading many positive reviews I finally picked it up and was so glad I did. Far from prehistoric, Witch Boy is seeped in magic and can be placed firmly within the genre of magical realism. More instinctive than Harry Potter's magic, the fantastic elements will make reader’s imaginations soar and are written to feel believable. The main theme of the story is breaking gender barriers and being true to yourself, even if that goes against society's norms. The contrast between Ashter's strict gender division and his new friend's contemporary world, where girls can dress like boys, play basketball and have two fathers, is obvious. Ashter finds courage through this new world to bring acceptance to his present, even if it means disappointing those he loves. This full color volume is well drawn, scans easily, and reads quickly. It will be enjoyed by everyone who picks it up and is a much welcomed addition to round-out a graphic novel collection. I am looking forward to Ostertag's next contribution, whether it's a new adventure for Ashter or a completely different story.