Skip to main content

Curse of the Night Witch

By

 


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.


Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Faker

By
Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...
Post a Comment
Read more

You Need to Read: Percy Jackson

By
I was a kid myself when  The Lightning Thief  by Rick Riordan was published, and it didn't take long for the Percy Jackson series to take the world by storm. Being the son of a Poseidon, Percy Jackson has some unique challenges as a half-blood. Here's some books that I think could've helped Percy when he was on his adventures trying to save the world: Greeking Out: Heroes and Olympians Written by Kenny Curtis and Jillian Hughes Illustrated by Javier Espila Washington D.C.: National Geographic, 2024. Informational. 191 pages. Percy, I know Chiron did a good job teaching you about mythology in Latin class, but this book is sure to be good to have on hand while you're traveling across the United States. Greeking Out  is written in a kid-friendly voice with vivid illustrations and a sometimes-snarky tone (much like Percy himself). It also presents real-life creatures and places along with the information about Greek mythology. The Homework Squad's ADHD Guide to School S...
Post a Comment
Read more

Display: Flowers

By
The Language of Flowers Written by Shyala Smith Illustrated by Aaron Paul Asis United Kingdom: Lantana Publishing Ltd., 2024. Picture Book. Juhi loves helping her Appa sell flowers to the local community. In Appa's flower shop, Juhi knows the language of love--lilies for affection, irises for hugs and kisses. She knows the language of faith--frangipani for full moon days, red hibiscus for the temple. She knows the language of celebration--daffodils for the newborn, peonies for a birthday cake. But when her Appa tells her that her favorite customer has passed away, she does not know the language of grief. While Appa makes a bouquet of lilies and orchids to bring to Mr. Potter's funeral, Juhi decides to make him one final bouquet of her own. Which flowers will she choose to remember a man who was always so full of life? --Publisher The Weedflower Written by Elizabeth Davaze Illustrated by Marianne Ferrer Toronto; Berkeley, CA: Owlkids Books, 2024. Picture Book.  A modern schoolya...
Post a Comment
Read more