Lilla the accidental witch

Review by School Library Journal Reviews

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. Copyright 2021 School Library Journal.

Review by Publisher Summary 1

"Shy thirteen-year-old Lilla discovers a book of magic that reveals she is a witch, but also draws the attention of an ancient evil hidden in the woods"--

Review by Publisher Summary 2

While staying with her aunt in rural Italy, Lilla learns that she is a witch with special powers, which she must use to fend off an ancient witch who threatens to ruin more than just her summer. 10,000 first printing. Simultaneous and eBook. Illustrations.

Review by Publisher Summary 3

Thirteen-year-old Lilla feels she is a bit different. She's quiet and shy and sometimes feels uncomfortable in the company of boys. She'd much rather spend time by herself drawing and daydreaming. This summer, while staying with her aunt in rural Italy, Lilla discovers a book of magic which reveals that she is a witch with special powers, the magic of 'Strega'.