Idgie Says:This book very much reads like a last century fable. It has an old school style of storytelling, which was quite fun to read. It still flows nicely and keeps the interest, but definitely has a throwback feel to it. The adults are kind of cruel and callous about children as the older fables generally depict them as being, so of course the youngsters are out on their own getting into trouble. The plot line is solid and would keep the interest of the younger reader. There's enough fantasy and magic to keep the imagination going.
The novel is nice and hearty at 384 pages. I would say ages 8 to 12 would best describe the reading age for this book.
I recommend this book!
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The Witch's Boy
Kelly Barnhill
Algonquin Young Readers
September 16, 2014
Book Description:
“A lightning bolt erupted from the cloud and aimed directly at Ned’s heart. He couldn’t cry out. He couldn’t even move. He could just feel the magic sink into his skin and spread itself over every inch of him, bubbling and slithering and cutting deep, until he didn’t know where the magic stopped and he began.”
When Ned and his identical twin brother tumble from their raft into a raging, bewitched river, only Ned survives. Villagers are convinced the wrong boy lived. Sure enough, Ned grows up weak and slow, and stays as much as possible within the safe boundaries of his family’s cottage and yard. But when a Bandit King comes to steal the magic that Ned’s mother, a witch, is meant to protect, it’s Ned who safeguards the magic and summons the strength to protect his family and community.
In the meantime, in another kingdom across the forest that borders Ned’s village lives Áine, the resourceful and pragmatic daughter of the Bandit King. She is haunted by her mother’s last words to her: “The wrong boy will save your life and you will save his.” But when Áine and Ned’s paths cross, can they trust each other long enough to make their way through the treacherous woods and stop the war about to boil over?
With a deft hand, acclaimed author Kelly Barnhill takes classic fairy tale elements–speaking stones, a friendly wolf, and a spoiled young king–and weaves them into a richly detailed narrative that explores good and evil, love and hate, magic, and the power of friendship.