A Reluctant Witch's Guide to Magic
What’s inside...
In a magical world where two warring witch covens disrupt life for non-magical Wildians, Willa, a girl who believes she has no magic, discovers her hidden powers after being wrongly accused of being a witch. Given a year to master her magic and choose a coven, Willa must also confront a rogue witch threatening her city and unravel the mystery connected to her own destiny, all while contending with her volatile magical abilities that could cause her to explode if not controlled.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
288 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes Mabel reluctant to learn about her magical abilities?
How do you feel about the way Mabel handles challenges in the story?
What would you do if you were in Mabel's shoes and discovered you had magical powers?
How do the characters in the book help Mabel accept her magical abilities?
What lesson do you think Mabel learned by the end of the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about Mabel’s journey, highlighting any similarities or differences they feel with their own experiences.
Discuss the various magical abilities talked about in the book and ask your child which magical power they would like to have and why.
Use examples from the book to talk about the importance of accepting oneself and discuss with your child instances where they had to accept or embrace their own unique traits.
Talk about the friendships depicted in the book and ask your child about their own friendships and what makes them special.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Individuality
Explanation: The protagonist of the book learns to accept and appreciate her unique abilities as a witch, despite initially feeling out of place.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to value their own distinctive traits and talents, fostering self-confidence and a sense of belonging.
Example Lesson: Courage to Face Challenges
Explanation: Throughout the story, the protagonist encounters various hurdles and learns to tackle them courageously, which is key to her personal growth.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to face difficulties head-on, understanding that overcoming challenges is part of personal development and learning.
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: The book illustrates how friendships can provide support and strength, especially when the protagonist needs help to navigate her magical journey.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to cultivate and value friendships, recognizing the role peers can play in offering support during challenging times.
Example Lesson: Value of Perseverance
Explanation: As the witch progresses in her magical education, she shows persistence despite setbacks, learning from her mistakes.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of perseverance in achieving goals and the value of continuous effort and resilience.