Everglade: Rise of the witch by Kitty Black
Everglade: Rise of the witch is a delightful story about a funny and likeable little twelve-year-old girl called Wren who is slowly coming to understand and accept herself as being a witch in a world that actively rejects witches and magic of any kind. Despite the action which involves the dreaded and revolting Eater and many scary moments, it's a gentle and warm story involving friendly and "can-do" characters who work together to fight evil. And its a book about finding your true home and overcoming being different and an outsider. In the beginning, Wren is a real outsider, hiding her identity and living with a horrible aunt because her mother has been killed.
Rise of the witch is the first book in Everglade - a fantasy trilogy by Perth-based children's author Kitty Black who has a background in psychology and education and an interest in incorporating neurodiversity into the characters. This incorporation is very natural and unforced. The characters may have unusual reactions and thoughts when faced with situations and these thoughts and reactions can be funny and in their unexpectedness, throw the villains right off course. In her effort to escape from Everglade, Wren has to cross to another world. Black's world building is not too complicated which makes this series a great introduction to the world of fantasy novels. A simple map in the front pages shows the places she must traverse to reach her goal. She has to travel through the Deadwood with its inherent dangers (like any fairy tale wood) to reach Meadowcourt. Her two travel companions are slightly off-centre too but staunch and loyal supporters each bringing their particular skills to help in dangerous situations.
The jaunty third person narration keeps the reader abreast of the thoughts, feelings and actions of the characters as well as the banter between them. The banter is unfailingly funny throughout. Open at any page and the offbeat, witty, dead-pan conversations and thoughts can be found. The delightful cover and full page illustrations are by Rebecca Crane who is well known for her illustrations in the Pearly and Pig books by Sue Whiting and other titles. Her illustrations are of dynamic characters who appear full of energy and new ideas- so suited to the characters in Rise of the witch.
Whilst combating the evil Eater and his minions, Wren has to overcome and understand the death of her mother, the fact that she too is a witch who has to discover her power and try to save magic from being sucked right out of the world to be replaced by a particular kind of ordered nastiness. Can she do it?
Similar to Fledgewitch by Lian Tanner but simpler in terms of the fantasy world built, Rise of the witch is recommended reading for middle grade students who enjoy reading about feisty little witches (practically a genre in itself). The next two books in the trilogy will be something to look forward to.
Themes: Witches, Identity, Friendship, Magic, Neurodiversity.
Wendy Jeffrey