[V81]⋙ [PDF] The Witch Boy Molly Knox Ostertag 9781338089523 Books

The Witch Boy Molly Knox Ostertag 9781338089523 Books

Download As PDF : The Witch Boy Molly Knox Ostertag 9781338089523 Books

The Witch Boy Molly Knox Ostertag 9781338089523 Books

I found this book in the #WeNeedDiverseBooks catalog on Scholastic Book Clubs, which is my favorite place to shop for my classroom. This book appealed to me because it was a graphic novel, and because of its premise in examining gender norms.

Aster is a boy who lives in a magical society where the girls are trained to be witches, and the boys are supposed to grow to be shapeshifters. Aster's shapeshifting magic hasn't come to him, and he's really much more interested in witchery. At one part of the story, he points out to the other boys that it's silly that the girls are in lessons learning things while they are just running around playing fighting games. As a teacher, this made me smile! His family then runs into a mysterious danger, and no one will listen to him when he thinks he has a way to help make things right. Will he be able to use magic his way to help save his family?

This book features a diverse cast, which is readily apparent to the reader thanks to the graphic novel format. Aster is a likable protagonist, as is his friend Charlie. I love the message that shatters the binary gender norms, especially because they are sometimes quite rigid in this age group. When I listed the books I had bought to my students this last year, some of them questioned me on how the title could be "The Witch Boy." Even in the world of fantasy, they had clear gender norms established in their head. I am all for books that can help loosen those norms and create more open minds. There is no reason for our children to feel like there are things that they cannot do or be because they have been assigned a certain gender. Because of its fantasy setting, I feel like it's a book that can be more readily accepted by readers and gatekeepers with more conservative views. This kind of representation is very important for our children who are coming of age and discovering themselves.

Because it's a middle grade novel, the plot of THE WITCH BOY moved very quickly and I would have loved more details about the characters and the world. However, I think it'll be more than enough to keep kids engaged, and the story line is easy to follow. It's a quick read, which is a huge plus for some of our reluctant readers, and my students were definitely attracted to the full color, high-quality pages. This was the nicest looking book in the book order that it came in, and one of my students must have liked it enough to keep it, because it never made it back and I had to order a new one on Amazon.


Tags : The Witch Boy [Molly Knox Ostertag] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <DIV>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,Molly Knox Ostertag,The Witch Boy,Graphix,1338089528,Family - General,Paranormal,Cartoons and comics,Comic books, strips, etc - United States,Comics (Graphic works),Fantasy comics,Graphic novels,Graphic novels.,Identity,Identity (Psychology),Magic,Sex role,Shapeshifting,Shapeshifting;Fiction.,Witches,Witches;Fiction.,#weneeddiversebooks; gender norms; queer characters; magic; fantasy; witches; strong female protagonist; family; friendship; starred review,CHILDREN'S GRAPHIC WORKS SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY,Children: Grades 4-6,Fiction-Fantasy,JUVENILE FICTION Comics & Graphic Novels Fantasy,JUVENILE FICTION Family General (see also headings under Social Themes),JUVENILE FICTION Fantasy & Magic,JUVENILE FICTION Paranormal, Occult & Supernatural,Juvenile Fiction,Juvenile FictionFamily - General (see also headings under Social Themes),Juvenile FictionParanormal, Occult & Supernatural,Juvenile Grades 4-6 Ages 9-11,United States

The Witch Boy Molly Knox Ostertag 9781338089523 Books Reviews

Amazing graphic novel. I love the art and the writing! I pre-purchased the hardcover edition of The Witch Boy because I have read the author's webcomic Strong Female Protagonist. The book itself is extremely well made. The binding is firm and the pages turn well. The characters are warm, charming, and well written. After reading this book with my two boys, I plan on donating it to their elementary school library.
This book was amazing! I loved the designs and the overall art style. The story was well written and I feel like many kids out there can relate to Aster and Charlie, being someone who doesn't fit society's picture of what they should be. I loved how Aster was able to be his true self and even though his parents don't quite understand 100% they still love and accept him for who he is. Would definitely recommend to others and I can't wait to read more from this author.
We got this book when it first came out. I forgot to review it.
My then 6yo loved it. He read the ending over and over. He really identified with Aster and Charlie, both kids who maybe don't quite fit in how they were expected to.

I read it as soon as it arrived in the mail. I was afraid it might be too intense for my 6yo at the time (an advanced reader) and i worried it might deal with subjects that felt a bit raw for him, but I left it lying around, hadn't decided what to do, and he just read it as soon as he saw it. It *was* intense but ultimately he loved it.
My other kid didn't read it until the day the sequel came out and then he read it several more times in the days to follow.

I read recommend this graphic novel, but especially if you have a kid who due to interests or gender expression or anything else feels like they don't fit right in their communities.
I had high hopes for this book, maybe too high.
First off, the pictures are GORGEOUS. I love the style of drawing used here. The world building is pretty cool too. I loved the main character. He's sweet but still thinks about his own needs, and is naive but in a way that's appropriate for his age.
However, the plot is lacking. The "surprise villain" is pretty much the most obvious "twist" you could have come up with. Literally the exposition in the first SCENE spells it out for you. The side plot, a friendship with a non-magic girl, is a cool idea. She has a broken leg, and she doesn't want to tell the protagonist what happened. They make it out to be this big suspenseful secret so I was thinking abuse? assault? bullying? But no. (spoilers if you care) but some kids were teasing her so she dared them to make a jump with their bikes and she did it first and fell. I understand they're supposed to be middle school aged and this could seem embarrassing but I mean?
Also the metaphors get pretty annoying as a teen reader. I understand that for children this could help them understand complex issues around sexuality and gender, but I mean we get it.
All in all, I'm not disappointed I read it. I think it had some great qualities, but it just wasn't for me.
cute story and great art.
I like it just fine.
Although it does do a bit of a too heavy handed "parents never understand thing".
which is a part of the thing's theme. I get that. Still though, having a secret family of magic peeps being staunch gender conformity supporters doesn't make sense. Witches have an extensive history of cross gender stuff.
There are a few not so great magic rules that the book doesn't really answer but I can't expect it to.
It's a very short story and doesn't have time to answer my quibbles.
It's a delightful read, but it does have flaws. I'd give an average book 3 or 4 stars. but seeing as how important this sort of story is I'm giving it the full 5. It is creative enough to deserve it and the majority of the metaphors and representation are treated very well and understandable through a child's eyes.
I look forward to the prospect of reading this story to my kids.
I found this book in the #WeNeedDiverseBooks catalog on Scholastic Book Clubs, which is my favorite place to shop for my classroom. This book appealed to me because it was a graphic novel, and because of its premise in examining gender norms.

Aster is a boy who lives in a magical society where the girls are trained to be witches, and the boys are supposed to grow to be shapeshifters. Aster's shapeshifting magic hasn't come to him, and he's really much more interested in witchery. At one part of the story, he points out to the other boys that it's silly that the girls are in lessons learning things while they are just running around playing fighting games. As a teacher, this made me smile! His family then runs into a mysterious danger, and no one will listen to him when he thinks he has a way to help make things right. Will he be able to use magic his way to help save his family?

This book features a diverse cast, which is readily apparent to the reader thanks to the graphic novel format. Aster is a likable protagonist, as is his friend Charlie. I love the message that shatters the binary gender norms, especially because they are sometimes quite rigid in this age group. When I listed the books I had bought to my students this last year, some of them questioned me on how the title could be "The Witch Boy." Even in the world of fantasy, they had clear gender norms established in their head. I am all for books that can help loosen those norms and create more open minds. There is no reason for our children to feel like there are things that they cannot do or be because they have been assigned a certain gender. Because of its fantasy setting, I feel like it's a book that can be more readily accepted by readers and gatekeepers with more conservative views. This kind of representation is very important for our children who are coming of age and discovering themselves.

Because it's a middle grade novel, the plot of THE WITCH BOY moved very quickly and I would have loved more details about the characters and the world. However, I think it'll be more than enough to keep kids engaged, and the story line is easy to follow. It's a quick read, which is a huge plus for some of our reluctant readers, and my students were definitely attracted to the full color, high-quality pages. This was the nicest looking book in the book order that it came in, and one of my students must have liked it enough to keep it, because it never made it back and I had to order a new one on .