Sophie Escabasse

The Witches of Brooklyn was the first graphic novel I've read in a very long time. It's the story of eleven year old, Effie, who has recently lost her mother and is sent to l live with her aunt (her mother's much older stepsister). When Effie arrives, her Aunt Selimene isn't very happy, both at the fact that she was woken up in the middle of the night to find Effie at her door, and the fact that she now has to look after a niece she barely knows. With tensions running high, it's very hard for both Effie and Selimene to form any kind of relationship. Selmene's partner, Carlota, is much more open-minded and friendly, and her personality certainly helps both Effie and Selimene find some common ground. At school, Effie befriends two classmates, one of whom has also lost his parents, and the other who shares her obsession with pop star Tily Shoo. There's also the "popular rich girl" who enjoys bragging about her wealth and what it affords her. Effie's life is thrown into even more of a tale spin when Tily Shoo shows up at her aunt's house looking for a miracle after having been tricked into using a product that's made her look terrible. During this time, Effie discovers that she too, is a witch and she's able to bring paper animals to life. This was a really cute story about loss, coming together with family, self-discovery, kindness, and magic. The pictures were bright and the dialogue was fun.… (mer)

Summary
An 11 year old girl Effie is orphaned and sent to live in Brooklyn, NY with her elderly aunts. Her new life takes an adjustment to get used to. Especially with a little bit of magic!

Review
This was not my favorite graphic novel for intermediate nutmegs. IT was a little bit of a disappointment. It was not a bad story. It was cute and magical, but I don’t think it was nutmeg nominee or winner status. I feel like being a nutmeg nominee as a graphic novel really needs to be a wow, especially with many winners being nutmeg in the past from last year When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamison to New Kid by Jerry Craft.

I think that many students will enjoy this story. It is cute, light, and magical. It does have potential for LGBTQ with the two women living together. Although it says they are aunts, they are always together. It is not explicit in that way however.… (mer)

1. The first book in the "Witches of Brooklyn" series, followed by "What the Hex?!", "S'More Magic", and "Spell of a Time".
2. Graphic novel containing vibrant, animated, and sharp illustrations that will have the reader admire each page.
3. Maps are incorporated throughout the story to give the reader a solid understanding of certain settings, including each floor of Effie's house (pp. 30-31)
4. Cultural representation: Effie's Asian/white heritage
5. Potential LGBTQA+ representation: Selimene and Carlota are two women who live together, and while it was never stated that they are romantic partners, it could be surmised based on their interactions and the illustrations of them when they are together.
6. Considering that this was a graphic novel, there is a heavy amount of dialogue through both speech bubbles and thought bubbles. When compared to Guts by Raina Telgemeier (which I just read today as well), this book didn't have as many boxed in captions.
7. There was a varying amount of fonts that were used in this book, and often times when the characters' emotions were heightened, the fonts were so wacky that they could be difficult to read, especially for younger/intermediate readers.… (mer)