This novel is a 2024 Lone Star selection, geared more for younger audiences although any age would enjoy the unusual and sweet story.

Our main character, Grace, must be read melodramatically. She loves vocabulary and responds to the world in the most melodramatic way possible. She goes to the witch's house after leaving the orphanage, seeing the home as beautiful and the witch as terrible. She turns words around--terrible is good; after all, that's what witch's should be. Upon meeting the witch, telling her that she herself is a witch, and eating the witch's food, she then wakes up to find herself being cooked in the oven. Can witches cook another witch? No, it's against the code. Grace reappears at the witch's home--after being thrown out--determined to win the witch over. They strike a bargain. Grace must complete all of the spells in the witch's grimoire in less than a year. There are 100 1/2 spells. No lessons ensue; Grace must figure it all out. If she doesn't, she must give her magic to the witch. If she succeeds, she can be the witch's apprentice.

Grace always feels lonely, so living in this beautiful cottage with a witch is her dream come true. She has her crow that talks with her and help her, but otherwise, she's been alone. The witch always calls her a "silly girl," but insists Grace attend school. Otherwise, she'll get in trouble for not sending a minor to school. There Grace meets Serena. Serena immediately latches onto Grace, recognizing an interesting person. She's living with the witch! She's a witch herself! That's marvelous. She decides to help Grace with the spells and they become best friends.

The book revolves around relationships. Everyone feels lonely and alone. The terrible witch alienates everyone, which is easy when you eat children. Nonetheless, she needs people, too. Serena has a sister who believes she can be invisible, and Serena allows it because she leaves Serema alone, making it easy to babysit. Grace exhibits natural skills as a witch. Witch eyes frighten people. Grace's eyes make people see their biggest regret. No one wants someone around like that! So, there's the relationship between the witch and Grace, which is mostly amusing. You know the witch really likes Grace, but she is a witch.... Grace and Serena show what friendship can be. I love how matter-of-fact Serena is and will patiently wait for Grace when she has a moment and cries.

There are lovely surprises in the book concerning the witch's life--yes, they are terrible, but they make for an interesting story. Perhaps there's a wee bit of redemption. Maybe not. It's a really sweet fairy tale of what happened to the wicked witch in all of the stories you've read. Who will take her place? Grace, of course. Leave expectations behind and enjoy this molodramtic character and her year of bringing people together. ( )

If you liked Anne of Green Gables, this is a story for you. ( )

This was the coziest, sweetest story of an orphan finding home, family and magic.

Reviews: https://youtube.com/@starkissedstories ( )

As a huge fan of Anne of Green Gables, I was excited to read The Grace of Wild Things. It’s billed as a magically inspired version of Anne of Green Gables for middle grade readers, and definitely lived up to that expectation. While there were many similarities to the beloved classic, there were enough differences to make it uniquely it’s own. One thing I really appreciated was that the author really captured Anne Shirley’s whimsical, enchanting personality in Grace.

As an unwanted orphan whose only talent is magic, Grace runs away from the orphanage to visit the legendary wicked witch in the forest. The witch is every bit as wicked as you would imagine, easily comparable to Hansel and Gretel’s witch. After nearly getting eaten by the witch, Grace strikes a bargain with her to become her apprentice if she can learn all 100 1/2 spells in the witch’s grimoire before the cherry tree blooms.

As Grace works to learn the spells, her sunny disposition begins to affect the cold hearted witch. Little by little, the witch begins to grudgingly care for Grace, allowing her to go to school and providing her with the home she’s always dreamed of. However, learning all the spells is more difficult than Grace thought. With a little help from newfound friends and her familiar crow named Windweaver, Grace might just be able to meet the witch’s bargain.

While I absolutely adored all the nods and familiar scenes from Anne and the exceptional world building, I wasn’t sure how I felt about certain things. Reading Anne as an adult, I’ve come to really appreciate Marilla. While the witch in many ways embodies that gruff, tough yet lovable persona, it’s hard to reconcile the fact that she nearly ate Grace and did lots of other really wicked things. I ultimately liked the way things turned out between Grace and the witch, but their relationship is more complicated than Anne’s and Marilla’s.

At almost 370 pages, it’s quite a hefty read for a middle grader. There were some parts that lagged a bit and it took me awhile to get into the story. However, once Grace goes to school and meets new friends, it became really enjoyable for me. I enjoyed identifying characters in the story who matched those in Anne of Green Gables. There are quite a few familiar scenes like the slate scene, elderberry wine, nursing a sick child, and the antagonism with Marilla’s friend Rachel. The villain introduced in the last portion of the story kind of came out of nowhere, but it made for an interesting twist. I also liked the positive messages of friendship and loyalty.

Parents should be aware that there might be some potentially scary things for young readers. If nightmares, witches eating children, ghosts, and scary forests are upsetting, you may want to read it first before giving it to your child. There are also witchcraft elements like spells, and making potions. While there are a lot of similarities to Anne of Green Gables, you don’t necessarily have to be familiar with that story to enjoy this book. Fans of magical fantasy and Anne of Green Gables might enjoy this. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given. ( )