The Witch Boy
The Witch Boy is a middle-grade graphic novel that introduces readers to Aster, a thirteen-year-old boy living in a hidden community where magic is strictly segregated by gender. Girls are raised to be witches, skilled in spells, while boys are destined to be shapeshifters, defending their home in animal forms. Aster, however, struggles with shapeshifting and feels an undeniable pull towards witchcraft, a path forbidden to him by tradition. This magical coming-of-age story follows Aster's journey of self-discovery as he secretly practices witchery, challenging the rigid expectations of his family and community.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe book centrally explores themes of gender identity and defying traditional gender roles through the protagonist, Aster, who is a boy drawn to traditionally 'feminine' witchcraft. The author, a gay woman, explicitly states the book contains these feelings, and it is widely recognized as an allegory for gender identity and queerness. Explicit LGBTQ+ representation includes a character, Charlie, with two dads and mentions of other same-sex couples.
Aster's primary conflict is his desire to practice witchcraft, which is forbidden to boys in his community, acting as a direct allegory for individuals exploring and expressing gender identities that diverge from societal norms. He consistently defies his family's expectations that he become a shapeshifter. Charlie, Aster's close friend, explicitly states that she has two dads, providing direct representation of a same-sex couple within the narrative. Mikasi, Aster's great-uncle, is depicted as a tragic figure who was ostracized and corrupted for not conforming to gender roles, serving as a cautionary tale within the narrative about the dangers of suppressing one's true self due to rigid gender expectations.
Witchcraft & Occult
HighWitchcraft and shapeshifting magic are fundamental to the book's world and plot. The magic system involves spells, runes, and spirit animals, and is identified by some Christian reviewers as having a 'Pagan/New Age/Wiccan outlook.' The antagonist uses dark magic, and 'demons' are mentioned as threats.
Aster's entire world revolves around a magical society where hereditary abilities are central: girls are witches, mastering spells and runes, while boys are shapeshifters transforming into animals. The antagonist, Mikasi, embodies a darker aspect of magic, using 'dangerous, unsanctioned spell[s]' to transform into a 'dragon-like creature,' posing a direct threat to Aster and his community.
Violence
MediumThe narrative includes magical conflict and dangerous situations, primarily involving the antagonist Mikasi who takes on a monstrous form. While there are threats and disappearances, the violence is generally depicted in a non-graphic, fairy-tale-like manner suitable for middle-grade readers.
A mysterious danger causes boys in Aster's family to go missing after their shapeshifting practices, creating a pervasive sense of threat and urgency in the story. The primary antagonist, Mikasi, transforms into a 'dragon-like creature' through dark magic, directly engaging in magical combat with Aster, which involves powerful spells and confrontations.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe book contains elements of suspense and fright, primarily from a mysterious threat causing boys to disappear and an antagonist who takes a monstrous form. While intense, the scary elements are presented in a middle-grade appropriate manner, often described as having a 'fairy tale quality.'
The storyline includes a mysterious danger that causes young boys in Aster's family to vanish, creating a sustained sense of unease and peril throughout the narrative. The antagonist, Mikasi, is a 'frightening' character who transforms into a 'dragon-like creature' through dark magic, leading to climactic confrontations that are suspenseful and involve magical battles.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThe core of Aster's character arc involves defiance against his family's strict gendered magical traditions, as he wishes to be a witch despite being a boy. While this is a form of rebellion against established norms, it is portrayed positively as a journey of self-discovery and authenticity rather than malicious disobedience.
Aster's decision to secretly learn and practice witchcraft directly goes against the deeply entrenched traditions and rules of his magical family, who forbid boys from engaging in witchery. The character of Mikasi serves as a more severe example of rebellion and its consequences, as he was ostracized from the family for breaking the same gendered magic rules, leading to his eventual corruption and antagonistic role.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumThe book's central magic system is described by a Christian-focused review as having a 'Pagan/New Age/Wiccan outlook.' While there is no direct mockery or criticism of Christianity, the inherent nature of the magic and its underlying spiritual framework may conflict with Christian worldviews, promoting a different spiritual path.
The entire premise of 'The Witch Boy' is built around a magical society where individuals possess and practice various forms of magic, including witchcraft and shapeshifting, which is explicitly characterized as a 'Pagan/New Age/Wiccan outlook' in Christian reviews. The narrative's emphasis on discovering one's 'true self' and embracing innate magical abilities, despite familial or societal condemnation, could be seen by some Christian parents as advocating for spiritual paths or self-reliance that diverge from Christian theological principles.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowThe book contains no overt romantic or sexual content. The relationship between the main characters, Aster and Charlie, is depicted as a strong and supportive friendship, explicitly noted by reviewers as lacking romantic undertones. References to gay couples are present through character backgrounds, not explicit romantic scenes.
The bond between Aster and Charlie is consistently portrayed as a platonic friendship, with reviewers emphasizing the absence of any romantic or sexual elements between them. While Charlie's family includes 'two dads,' this is a detail about her family structure and not a depiction of their romantic or sexual relationship within the story. Other mentions of gay couples are brief or implied through a family tree, without explicit romantic scenes.
Profanity
LowNo instances of profanity or strong language were identified in the available reviews and content descriptions for 'The Witch Boy.' The dialogue is appropriate for its middle-grade target audience.
The reviews and summaries of the graphic novel consistently make no mention of any offensive or strong language used by characters. The book is presented in educational and library contexts without warnings related to profanity, indicating its absence from the content.
Substance Use
LowNo depictions or mentions of substance use, including alcohol, drugs, or smoking, were found in the reviews or content summaries of 'The Witch Boy.'
The various parental, educational, and fan reviews of 'The Witch Boy' consistently do not reference any instances of substance use. The themes discussed in detail by reviewers focus on identity, family, and magic, without any inclusion of drug or alcohol-related content.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 8-12 (Middle Grade). The Lexile measure of GN490L indicates suitability for this age group, and the themes of identity, family, and acceptance are presented in a visually engaging and accessible graphic novel format. The intensity of magic and conflict is appropriate for this audience.
Additional Notes
The 'Witch Boy' is the first book in a trilogy, followed by 'The Hidden Witch' (2018) and 'The Midwinter Witch' (2019), which continue to explore and evolve the themes of identity and acceptance. An animated musical film adaptation for Netflix was announced in January 2021.
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