Curse of the Night Witch

 

Curse of the Night Witch
Written by: Alex Aster
Sourcebooks Young Readers, 2020. Fiction.

Tor Luna lives on Emblem Island where everyone knows their lives will be dictated by the emblem they are born with. Tor was born to be a leader, just like his mother, but he hates his emblem and wants more than anything to change his fate. One night during the annual New Year's Eve celebration Tor throws a wish into the fire asking for a different emblem. The next morning he awakens to discover that instead of  his wish being granted he has been given a curse which could only come from the Night Witch. Tor, his best friend Engle and Melda, the smartest girl in Tor's class, decide they must find the Night Witch and ask her to remove the curse. So begins an adventure that will change their lives forever.

One of my favorite things about this tale is how the author weaves in myths and Columbian folklore into the story. These ancient myths provide clues and answers to the obstacles that Tor and his friends face as they encounter odd creatures and greedy people who are hungry for more power.  As they travel from place to place on their way to find the Night Witch we are introduced to these mini stories from the book of Cuentos.  I enjoyed this look at the nature of stories, where they come from, why they are told and how story tellers influence the way we see people and view the world around us. 

If you are looking for a middle grade book with magical adventures and mythology then this book is for you. A perfect fantasy book for readers who love an exciting new adventure.