About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with the pervasive feeling of being an outsider or when they seem overwhelmed by the mundane pressures of high school. While the setting is a school for witches and mutants, the narrative focuses entirely on the relatable, often awkward emotional reality of adolescence. It is a perfect choice for a child who feels that their inner life is too weird or too intense for the world around them. The book follows a diverse cast of students who grapple with unrequited crushes, body image, and the search for identity. Jillian Tamaki uses humor and surrealism to validate the teenage experience, showing that even if you can fly or cast spells, you still have to deal with social anxiety and existential dread. Because it deals with themes of sexuality and mild existential angst, it is best suited for readers aged 14 and up who appreciate a dry, indie-comic sensibility.
