Real-life pressures, but add magic
Real-life pressures facing a high-achieving teen, but add magic.
It only took me a few pages to become a fan of Shay Johnson, the main character in How to Succeed in Witchcraft. She's a biracial lesbian teen witch, working hard to win the Brockton (full-ride) scholarship and get into a university where she can become licensed to perform magic.
Highlights of the book for me were Shay's friendship with Lex and waiting for Shay to work out her feelings for Ana, her nemesis (as in, another smart, hard-working, involved student applying for the Brockton scholarship). Anxiously waiting for two characters to finally kiss is a special kind of magic, and author Aislinn Brophy hit on that for me here.
The main plot, however, seemed to revolved around the Brockton scholarship, which involves tolerating creepy teacher Mr. Brockton. While I thought this was handled realistically (and in such a way that eventually made it clear to the reader that his behavior was not okay), I couldn't help but wish the book delivered more magic and romance.
To be sure, this is YA that doesn't shy away from real-life pressures, from concerns about paying for college to racism at school. Definitely a book I'm glad exists for today's teens!
It only took me a few pages to become a fan of Shay Johnson, the main character in How to Succeed in Witchcraft. She's a biracial lesbian teen witch, working hard to win the Brockton (full-ride) scholarship and get into a university where she can become licensed to perform magic.
Highlights of the book for me were Shay's friendship with Lex and waiting for Shay to work out her feelings for Ana, her nemesis (as in, another smart, hard-working, involved student applying for the Brockton scholarship). Anxiously waiting for two characters to finally kiss is a special kind of magic, and author Aislinn Brophy hit on that for me here.
The main plot, however, seemed to revolved around the Brockton scholarship, which involves tolerating creepy teacher Mr. Brockton. While I thought this was handled realistically (and in such a way that eventually made it clear to the reader that his behavior was not okay), I couldn't help but wish the book delivered more magic and romance.
To be sure, this is YA that doesn't shy away from real-life pressures, from concerns about paying for college to racism at school. Definitely a book I'm glad exists for today's teens!