A WITCH'S KITCHEN

Which witch will win?

Millie suspects that she has no talent. She’s not even sure she really is a witch, since she can't manage even the simplest of spells, and every potion she tries to make turns into food. Even her mother is disappointed in her. When the opportunity comes to attend school as part of a forest-unity initiative, she jumps at the chance, if only to escape the whispers and stares of the other witches, especially snotty Cretacia. At school, Millie discovers that her gift for food runs far deeper than she suspected, and its uses go way beyond making tempting treats for her friends. Her cooking might even be the key to discovering her own past, including the whereabouts of her father. Sanchez offers a cast of magical, diverse young characters who are meant to see themselves as equals at school, even to the point where everyone's height is altered upon arrival so they are all the same size. This idealism spreads to the institution of family as well, as Millie and her half brother, Max, try to deal with their uniquely blended families. The story often feels transparent and pedantic, especially when the magical creatures enter the Logical Realm (Earth) and pointedly comment on deforestation and overbuilding.

A moralistic story about a witch learning to be true to herself; its heart’s in the right place if not its craft.