Lilla the accidental witch

Gr 5 Up--It's time for sisters Lilla and Dani to visit their aunt and uncle--or rather, their Zia and Zio--at their picturesque home in Italy, just outside Milan. They'll enjoy local cuisine and tourist attractions--plus, there are even two boys excited to spend time with the sisters. Older sister Dani is psyched, but Lilla is distracted. She could care less about Gio, the boy her family is trying to set her up with. And her Zia's new assistant, Ludo, is a woman like Lilla's never known, with a girlfriend and a motorcycle and confidence in spades. Throw in a magical spell book, a hidden lineage of witches, and the menacing Stregamama, and Lilla's in for the trip of a lifetime. Crewes tells an intimate story, letting character moments simmer rather than building to dramatic set pieces. The artwork is reminiscent of Noelle Stevenson's Nimona, with minimalist character designs that still allow for quirky and expressive facial reactions. Crewes takes her time introducing readers to Lilla's family, and once magical elements are introduced, they, too, take a while to intertwine themselves with the other plot threads. Lilla's burgeoning queerness benefits the most from the storytelling approach, serving as a satisfying allegory for her witchcraft abilities (and vice versa), but the two threads otherwise do not impact each other. Though not a particularly wordy title, the book has many slice-of-life moments between Lilla's family, which might deter readers looking for a brisk romp of a read. Lilla and Dani are white, Zia is tan-skinned, Ludo appears to be Asian, and Zio is Black. VERDICT A recommended read for comics fans looking for LGBTQIA+ representation, and a solid additional purchase for libraries where spooky comics are popular.--Matisse Mozer, Los Angeles P.L.

Finding out she's a witch isn't the only revelation Lilla has about her identity while she's away from home. Thirteen-year-old Lilla and her older sister, Dani, fly to Italy to spend time with their aunt. For Dani, this means reuniting with the Italian boy she likes, but Lilla feels uncomfortable thinking about boys and love: She has always felt different, but she's shocked when a mysterious book magically appears and reveals she's a witch. The book helps her learn to use her new powers and teaches her about supernatural beings. What she doesn't know is that something dangerous is lurking, and the only way to be safe will be to accept truths about herself and everything that encompasses who she is. This gentle yet somewhat spooky story deftly balances realistic plotlines of sisterhood, growing up, and sexual orientation with fantasy elements of magic and unusual creatures. The Italian setting, with bits of the language peppered in, is richly portrayed. Muted colors fill crisp, unlined panels on white pages that match the soft tone of the story, and minimalistic facial features highlight the characters' emotions. The magical moments are particularly visually compelling with their glowy light. A hopeful, joyous ending makes this story one to savor. Main characters read as White; the sisters' aunt's boyfriend is Black. Growing up and coming out are slightly scary but wonderfully magical in this appealing and optimistic tale. (Graphic fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.