Review: The Witch of Woodland
The Witch of Woodland by Laurel Snyder Walden Pond Press (imprint of HarperCollins Publishers), 2023 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Judy Greenblatt Buy at Bookshop.org Zipporah Chava McConnell, better known as Zippy, age 12, is a witch – or at least she has magical powers. It’s obvious, from the long dark hair streaming down her back to her all-black clothing. However, no one else believes that she has powers, contributing to her sense of isolation in the midst of the changes that being 12 and beginning middle school bring. For instance, Zippy and her friend forever Bea are no longer in sync, and Zippy’s mother surprises her with plans for a bat mitzvah, unexpected because of the unorthodox Judaism practiced by her family. Completely confused and miserable, Zippy turns to the element that sets this book apart: magic. Zippy calls forth a spirit, a girl who could be her reverse image, who becomes her best friend. The book is narrated by Zippy, who tries to get the amazing events of