Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mild peril in uneven magical adventure set in Oz.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE SCHOOL FOR WICKED WITCHES is where young kids with magical powers are sent if their magic is deemed too dangerous. When Ava's magic gets out of hand, she finds herself banished from the West Oz Witch Academy for good witches. Terrified, and certain there's been a mistake, Ava is determined to find a way back home. But will she be able to find a way to escape the School for Wicked Witches, or will she, instead, find that she belongs there after all?
Is It Any Good?
This is a light, fun read for kids interested in witches or all things Oz. It's also a good pick as an alternative to the novel Wicked (which we don't recommend for kids) for tween fans of the musical or the movie. The School for Wicked Witches is entertaining enough to keep the pages turning. But regrettably, it doesn't feel much like Oz. Other than a few references to the Emerald City and Yellow Brick Road, the setting reads more like a generic magic school than the actual world of Oz. The characters and plot are engaging enough, although secondary characters tend to blur together. Ava has pluck and determination, which makes for an appealing main character. Overall, this is a fine book for young readers who like magic and witches and who are ready to engage with the subtle themes around doing what's right, and that good and wicked come in shades of gray.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Ava's determination to leave school in The School for Wicked Witches. Why do you think she wants to escape so badly?
Ava is very brave when she faces dangerous situations as she tries to escape school. Where do you think Ava's courage comes from? How hard do you think it would be to be that brave?
What do you think about the description of what a "wicked witch" is in this book? Do you think Ava is ever wicked?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Inc.
- Publication date : September 17, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 256
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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