Bella Broomstick #1: Magic Mistakes by Lou Kuenzler
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on August 14th 2018
ISBN: 1524767808
Pages: 208
Goodreads

Belladonna Broomstick is an utter failure as a witch.  Not one spell or hex goes right, there are no warts on her face, and she doesn’t like to bath in the swamp. Bella does have the ability to understand and speak to animals and dreams of the Sellwell Department Store catalog.  After being thrown out of Creepy Castle School for Young Witches and Wizards, Belladonna’s Aunt Hemlock is at her witts end. Exiled to the Person World, “Bella” is forbidden to use magic.

What happens next develops into a story of a young witch finding her place in the human world. This book is a comedic reminder to stay true to yourself. It also addresses loss, rejection, frustration, bullying. Each situation that is presented resolves itself with positivity, love and a little bit of magic.

The art is intentionally juvenile and placed as if Bella has doodled on the pages. Bella Broomstick Magic Mistakes will be enjoyed by advanced early readers ages 7 through older reluctant readers.

Review by Liz Davis, Children’s Librarian, Waterville Public Library