The Witch of Woodland

A young girl preparing for her bat mitzvah discovers she has mysterious abilities in this magical contemporary coming-of-age story from the beloved author of Orphan Island.

Hi, whoever is reading this. I’m Zipporah Chava McConnell, but everyone calls me Zippy.

Things used to be simple—until a few weeks ago. Now my best friend, Bea, is acting funny; everyone at school thinks I’m weird; and my mom is making me start preparing for my bat mitzvah, even though we barely ever go to synagogue. In fact, the only thing that still seems to make sense is magic.

See, the thing is, I’m a witch. I’ve been casting spells since I was little. And even if no one else wants to believe in magic anymore, it’s always made sense to me, always felt true. But I was still shocked the day I found a strange red book at the library and somehow...I conjured something. A girl, actually. A beautiful girl with no memory, and wings like an angel. You probably don’t believe me, but I swear it’s the truth.

Miriam is like no one else I’ve ever met. She’s proof that magic is real. And, it’s hard to explain this part, but I just know that we’re connected. That means it’s up to me to help Miriam figure out what she is and where she came from. If I can do that, maybe everything else in my life will start to make sense too.

Anyway, it’s worth a try.

Can a girl who feels like she doesn’t belong anywhere find her own power in the spaces between friendship, faith, and magic?

• Unlikely Friendship: Zippy thought she was just practicing a spell. She never expected to conjure Miriam—a mysterious girl with wings, no memory, and a secret that will change everything.
• Changing Friendships: As Zippy navigates the magical mystery of Miriam, she also has to face the real-world heartache of drifting apart from her best friend, Bea.
• Finding Your Own Magic: A heartfelt coming-of-age journey about a girl trying to balance her secret life as a witch with the traditions of her Jewish heritage and the pressures of middle school.
• A Modern Witch Story: Perfect for young readers who love contemporary fantasy with a dose of real-world problems, deep emotions, and unforgettable characters.