July 15, 2021
Witches face many obstacles in life: fear, prejudice, and sitting at the unpopular table in high school are just a few. Witches aren't part of the A squad, as new high schooler Cody learns when her popular upperclassman sister, Bryce, dismisses her to the cafeteria table that is a lunchroom waystation for people who haven't yet found their place in the social hierarchy. It's there she meets Faye, the table's only permanent resident and the school's resident witch. Cody's desire to move on brings her into digital contact with shy_shelbi, a social media account that promises to make your dreams come true. Most of those dreams, however, turn out to be nightmares, and it's up to Faye to begrudgingly save her classmates' lives. Faye is a mysterious character who brings a lot of baggage with her, some of which is addressed in the book and some of which is hopefully being saved for future stories. The ending hints at a new path for the young witch, and readers who identify with feeling a little out of place in school or life will be begging to learn when the adventure continues. Many will appreciate the messages centered around popularity, acceptance, self-confidence, and the influence of social media. The expressive artwork enhances the mood through heavy use of black and shades of glowing orange and atmospheric teal. Main characters are White-presenting; there is diversity in the background cast. Spooky and fun, with substance as well. (Graphic fiction. 14-18)
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August 1, 2021
Gr 7 Up-From the book's title, readers may be expecting goofy plots or calamitous capers, but Naifeh's latest effort is instead a sinister mystery that captures the social intricacies of high school. The story opens with shy new student Cody being relegated to the "loser" lunch table and finding tentative kinship with its occupants, in particular Faye Faulkner, a sullen girl in a witch hat. Surely, it's just a cultivated image. But as the story unfolds, sinister pranks are unleashed upon popular kids, nerds, and nobodies alike. Fingers are pointed far too frequently at Faye. As Faye works to uncover the source of the incidents, readers realize the genesis and extent of Faye's powers and the fearsomeness of her true foe, who prowls the ethereal realms of the internet. Naifeh's winding narrative captures the claustrophobia of cliques and catfights, with sharp, shadowy illustrations and an autumnal palette adding to the dark mood. Faye and Cody are both light-skinned. VERDICT Frightening as much for its depiction of social cruelty and scapegoating as for supernatural sorcery, this is an engrossing read.-Emilia Packard, Austin, TX
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September 7, 2021
Grades 8-11 When Cody, a geeky-looking freshman, eats lunch at the Loser Table, she meets a diverse group of teens looking to climb the social ladder--all except sarcastic Faye, who, donning a black, pointed hat, accepts she'll never fit in. Cody soon learns that Faye's hat isn't the only thing that's witchy about her, and as the usual high-school bullying takes a supernatural turn, Cody begs Faye to intervene, knowing she is the only one who can help. Each chapter of Naifeh's graphic novel begins with an Instagramesque post from influencer Shy Shelbi, whose five-step self-help program serves a more nefarious purpose. An autumnal color palette dominates the school scenes, offset by the spooky greens of demons and technology. In both story and art style, this is a good choice for readers who are looking for something that falls between the lightheartedness of Sabrina's original comics and her new, grisly Chilling Adventures. The title doesn't come into play until the end of the story, suggesting that Faye will encounter even more otherworldly foes soon.
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