B*witch

Iris is the new girl at school, a secret witch plagued by anxiety who finds herself recruited by a coven of three distinct girls. Their peaceful existence is threatened by 'The Triad,' a rival coven known for dark magic. When a local witch is murdered, these enemies must form an uneasy alliance to stop a killer motivated by anti-witch hatred. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book depicts the murder of a witch, motivated by anti-witch hatred. This is presented as a metaphor for real-world hate crimes and discrimination against marginalized groups. While the setting is magical, the handling of anxiety and trauma is realistic and secular. The resolution is hopeful but acknowledges the cost of the conflict. EMOTIONAL ARC: The narrative starts with heavy social anxiety and isolation. It builds tension through the mystery and rivalry, peaking with fear, but ultimately arcs toward empowerment and the strength of found family. IDEAL READER: A 14-year-old girl who feels like she has to 'mask' her true interests or personality to survive high school social hierarchies. It is perfect for the reader who loves the 'enemies to allies' trope and stories where friendship is the primary source of power. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might see their child withdrawing from social groups or expressing fear about revealing a personal interest or aspect of themselves that they believe will be judged negatively by others. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware that there is a murder plotline and some dark magic used for petty revenge in the early chapters. No specific page previews are necessary, but discussing how Iris manages her panic attacks could be beneficial. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger teens (12 to 13) will focus on the magic and the 'cool' factor of the covens. Older teens will resonate more with the subtext of systemic prejudice and the complex nuances of forming alliances with people they don't like. DIFFERENTIATOR: This stands out for its exploration of how shared trauma and common enemies can bridge deep-seated social divides, even those that seem irreconcilable. The story features an intersectional cast, adding depth to the themes of prejudice and acceptance. """