 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Once a Witch
- By Carolyn MacCullough
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Mildly bewitching with strong female characters.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know this book is a fairly conventional portrayal of witches -- they fled Europe because of persecution, they observe Samhain and practice ancient rituals under the moon. The teen smoking and drinking is gratuitous, and the romance is gentle. This is a slight fantasy with strong female characters.
What's the story?
Tamsin is a 17-year-old witch who has grown up in the shadow of her talented older sister. She believes she has no magical talents at all until a handsome young professor convinces her to try harder to develop her powers. But her attempts put her and her family in danger. With the help of time travel Tamsin's family works together to rescue each other and Tamsin discovers just how powerful a witch she really is.
Is it any good?
Despite gratuitous drinking and smoking, this is an amusing coming-of-age story with some traditional witchcraft thrown in. Stock characters are made more agreeable by the humorous banter between Tamsin and her childhood friend and love interest Gabriel. Tamsin's self-doubts will ring true with teens, especially those with older siblings.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about whether witches exist (ed) and why they were persecuted?
Should Tamsin's family have hidden the truth from Tamsin?
Why did Tamsin pretend to be her older sister?
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Parent of 14 year old
October 7, 2009
AGE
Perfect Book!
Love this so much. Really shows that portraying somebody else when it is not appropriate is not ok. It is really enjoyable read!
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Kid, 12 years old
December 29, 2010
AGE
OK
It was OK, but it got a bit boring and confusing at times. A couple of curse words.
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Kid, 12 years old
March 25, 2011
AGE
12+ if mature. great read for fun
awsome book it gets a little iffy between tamsin and gabriel. i read it before my mom and she just finished it but we both think it is a great read. to much drugs and alchohol
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Parent of 9 and 12 year old
June 23, 2010
AGE
Fun read for tweens, watch for bad examples
Tween loved the book. Good fantasy book, hoping for a sequel. The D-word was used a few times and there is some drinking and smoking, so there aren't great role models in the book. However, the story was fun.
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Teen, 13 years old
December 12, 2011
AGE
Once a Witch! (:
I have almost finished...but so far it is GREAT!
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Author: | Carolyn MacCullough |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | Clarion Books |
| Publication date: | September 14, 2009 |
| Number of pages: | 304 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 17 |
| Read aloud: | 12 - 12 |
| Read alone: | 14 - 14 |
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