Witchtown

Gr 7 Up–To Macie, witches do not mean spells and wands. Witches mean money. Macie and her mom, Aubra, make their living fleecing Havens, government-created communities where witches are allowed to practice and maintain their culture. However, 16-year-old Macie is starting to experience moral doubts about their lifestyle, and when the pair arrive at Witchtown, Aubra assures Macie this will be their final con. As Aubra integrates herself into the town, Macie makes friends with the teenage witches and hesitantly begins a relationship with cute boy Kellen, all the while attempting to conceal that she is a Void, an individual with no magical ability. The story is an appealing combination of the paranormal and romance genres, sure to please older "Harry Potter" fans. However, plot inconsistencies detract from the book. The dramatic impact of the reveal of Kellen's true identity is lessened, as this subplot is only marginally developed. Additionally, Oakes never satisfactorily explains why Voids are such loathsome individuals who are branded and exiled. But overall, this is a creative approach to the witch and wizard genre, and teens will most likely not be deterred by these issues.