The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner

Magic is harder than it looks.

Thirteen-year-old Moth Hush loves all things witchy. But she’s about to discover that witches aren’t just the stuff of movies, books, and spooky stories. When some eighth-grade bullies try to ruin her Halloween, something really strange happens. It turns out that Founder’s Bluff, Massachusetts, has a centuries-old history of witch drama. And, surprise: Moth’s family is at the center of it all! When Moth’s new powers show up, things get totally out-of-control. She meets a talking cat, falls into an enchanted diary, and unlocks a hidden witch world. Secrets surface from generations past as Moth unravels the complicated legacy at the heart of her town, her family, and herself.

Life gets complicated real fast when you discover you're a witch. 

Moth is different from all the other kids her age. She doesn't have any other friend's other than her mom. She's obsessed with anything witchy which in a small town like Founder's Bluff, attracts bullies. And she is a witch herself! Or so she discovers. For some reason her mom's never told her about being a witch herself, she doesn't want anything to do with witchcraft, and refuses to teach Moth how to use her magic. That doesn't stop Moth who goes on a journey of self-discovery, learning about her family's history, and makes friends on the way.

The magic, family bonding, and new friendships in The Okay Witch made this a wonderful read. I don't usually read anything with a historical feel, but I enjoyed how history and magic were intertwined with Moth's story. Moth is such a fun and easily likable character. She's a protagonist whose fun to follow and discover things with. She befriends the new kid in town who happens to be a Kramer. The Kramer's are the town's elite. They've had a centuries old feud with the Hush's. Charlie Kramer is the mayor's son and Moth's new friend. Charlie was always very kind to Moth even as she was dealing with her own drama. He was extremely enthusiastic when he found out what she could do. Moth also has Mr. Lazlo as a friend. He just happens to have died and reincarnated as a talking cat. I would definitely say that he was the comedic relief in the story as well as the wise mentor. Moth, Charlie, and Mr. Lazlo made an odd trio which worked perfectly well with this story.

There was also the element of Moth and her mother's relationship. All three generations - Moth, her mom, and her grandmother - had moments that changed their lives forever. It's the classic parent and child struggle with the child wanting one thing and the parent trying to do what's best for her kid. The three generations had different ideas on what Moth should do about her new found abilities. It added greatly to the overarching plot in the story. Her mother and grandmother's history proves to be extremely drama filled. All of that history is unraveled within the pages of this graphic novel

The Okay Witch blends history and magic together wonderfully. It's an easily enjoyable read for any age.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for providing me with an ARC of The Okay Witch in exchange for an honest opinion!