The Witch of Woodland: A Middle Grade Coming-of-Age Novel About Jewish Identity and Magical Friendship for Children (Ages 8-12)

A young girl preparing for her bat mitzvah discovers she has mysterious abilities in this magical contemporary coming-of-age story from the beloved author of Orphan Island.Hi, whoever is reading this. I’m Zipporah Chava McConnell, but everyone calls me Zippy.Things used to be simple—until a few weeks ago. Now my best friend, Bea, is acting funny; everyone at school thinks I’m weird; and my mom is making me start preparing for my bat mitzvah, even though we barely ever go to synagogue. In fact, the only thing that still seems to make sense is magic.See, the thing is, I’m a witch. I’ve been casting spells since I was little. And even if no one else wants to believe in magic anymore, it’s always made sense to me, always felt true. But I was still shocked the day I found a strange red book at the library and somehow...I conjured something. A girl, actually. A beautiful girl with no memory, and wings like an angel. You probably don’t believe me, but I swear it’s the truth.Miriam is like no one else I’ve ever met. She’s proof that magic is real. And, it’s hard to explain this part, but I just know that we’re connected. That means it’s up to me to help Miriam figure out what she is and where she came from. If I can do that, maybe everything else in my life will start to make sense too.Anyway, it’s worth a try.What happens when the only person who believes in your magic is the one you accidentally brought to life?Middle Grade Fantasy: Perfect for readers who love a mix of real-world problems―like friendship drama and figuring out where you belong―with a secret world of magic hiding just beneath the surface of modern-day Atlanta.A Modern Jewish Witch: Zippy has been casting spells since she was little. But as she prepares for her bat mitzvah, she discovers a new kind of Jewish magic she never knew existed―one that’s powerful, real, and a little bit dangerous.Friendship and Belonging: One best friend is drifting away. A new, magical friend has wings, no memory, and needs Zippy’s help. This heartfelt story explores the challenges of finding your people and being true to yourself.Magical Realism for Kids: From a strange red book in the library to a mysterious girl who might be an angel, Zippy’s world is filled with everyday wonder and extraordinary secrets waiting to be discovered. Read more