Witches of Brooklyn

Witches of Brooklyn #1

by Sophie Escabasse

Effie lost her mom.

Lost her home.

And now she has to live with two strange aunts who she's never met before.

Life in Brooklyn takes a strange twist for Effie as she learns more about her family and herself. With new friends who will do whatever they can to be there for her, a cursed pop-star, and her new magically-inclined family -- Effie's life is about to get interesting.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Witches, Magic, Comics, Childrens

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2020

About the author

Sophie Escabasse is a French author and illustrator who lives in Montreal with her husband and three children, and their black cat, Terrence. She has illustrated many books for middle-grade readers, including Florence Parry Heide and Roxanne Heide Pierce’s Spotlight Club Mysteries series and the Freestyler Funnies series by Tom Easton. She has been a graphic novel lover for as long as she can remember, and she enjoys fun and expressive characters.

Reviews

[Julie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

All three witches in our house have cackled our unanimous approval for this graphic novel.

Wow. We loved it. I haven't been this excited about a middle grades graphic series since The Babysitters Club.

[Melina Souza · Rating 4 out of 5]

So adorable! *-*

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bouncy and engaging graphic novel that manages to do a great service by its focus on:

Issues involved with being an orphan
Family dynamics
Ageism and multi-generational households
Friendship and its value
The need to find your own path and follow it
The joys of working together
Celebrity and its downside
Starting again in a new school
And a bit of a bonus piece on democracy

Very nicely illustrated and there are more books coming.

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Effie is eleven years old and when her mom dies, she comes to live with her aunts, Selimene and Carlota. Effie hates it there at the beginning and Selimene isn't too keen either at the start as it is a big adjustment for everyone involved but they start to build a good relationship. Effie starts to go to a local school and makes friends there too. She also discovers that she has magic and she is ready to learn all about magic from her aunts.

This was adorable. I loved how it starts off quite ordinary and grows into something magical. I loved Effie's relationship development with her aunts. I also loved her friendship with Oliver and Berrit. Basically, I loved the story, I loved the characters, I loved the magic system, I loved the message and I loved the art too. This made me so happy and I can't wait to read the next in the series.

4 stars

[Cheryl Gladfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effie shows up on her aunt's doorstep one night. Her mom has recently died and Selimene is her closest relative. They've never met, and Selimene is old enough to be her grandmother instead of her aunt. It takes some time to warm up to her and her partner Carlota. They work as herbalists and acupuncturists, until Effie learns what they really are when Effie's pop idol Tily Shoo arrives needing help. It turns out they are both witches! Does Effie have the same affinity for magic that they do?

I savored reading this book. Effie becomes friends with two kids in her class, one of which also lost his parents. Their friendship is a lovely part of the story, and I hope future books give more information about them. Effie is a strong character who when faced with something unsettling, confides in Selimene right away (I always appreciate when kids can trust adults with their problems). Sophie Escabasse does a great job of paneling middle grade excitement (Effie's word bubbles will go across other characters and what they're saying). The art is also really beautiful. I thought the floor diagrams of Selimene and Carlota's house was a nice touch. When the end of the book came I was disappointed because I wanted to spend more time in Effie's world.

I think readers who enjoy realistic graphic novels with a tiny twist of magic will love Witches of Brooklyn.

[nikki | ཐི༏ཋྀ​​݁ ₊ ݁ . · Rating 4 out of 5]

a super cute witchy comic set in present day brooklyn.

i thought the dynamics were well done with effie as a classic teen - moody, a bit bratty, but overall eager to learn and quick to adapt. her aunts were so adorable and it's great to see rep for much older women.

a fun little mystery and a great first volume for what's sure to be a solid comic series.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute story about a young witch coming into her powers (so, just my cup of witches' brew). Loved her elderly aunts, and the dilemma in the story was very interesting! The style of the art reminded me a weekly comic, and I was not even surprised when I got to the end to find that the author/illustrator is French, and inspired by a French comic artist.

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I FLEW through this! I loved this so much. So happy I’m finally reading these. Could there really be witches in Brooklyn?! Effie's aunts are weird. Like, really WEIRD. Really, really, really WEIRD! The secretly-magic kind of weird & that makes Effie wonder . . . does this mean she can do magic, too? Life in Brooklyn takes a strange twist for Effie as she learns more about her family & herself. With new friends who will do whatever they can to be there for her, a cursed pop-star, & her magically-inclined aunts--Effie's life is about to get interesting. I absolutely loved Effie as a MC. I love seeing her journey of self-discovery in this new chapter of her life. I ADORE her aunts Selimene & Carlota lol They are the absolute best.
They are so different, but balance each other out perfectly. Lion also is just the cutest. I loved seeing the friendship develop & grow between Effie & her new friends, Oliver & Berrit. Great humor & hijinks in here, & just such a witchy cozy vibe overall. Great messages woven in as well. I LOVED Oliver’s opinion on smartphones-how we waste so much of our lives on them. I hate that many kids are included in that. Also, when some artists let you down that you’ve built up on a pedestal in your head. And LOVED when it says in here that it’s possible to love the art while you may not agree with the artist on everything. That the feelings you experienced through that art are yours. And your feelings are yours & yours alone. Relate! Makes me think of when I got attacked for reading & liking a certain series. HIGHLY recommend! STUNNING artwork by the author Sophie Escabasse as well!💜

[anne larouche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une histoire d’émerveillement, 100% feel-good, avec des petits clins d’oeil qui font du bien à notre enfant intérieur (autant les grand-mères que le cuisinier, les amis, la magie)

Les dessins apportent à cette atmosphère, mais on aurait voulu une plus longue histoire! Je sais que la BD est publiée en format roman graphique en VO, donc mon impression de rapidité est aussi causée par le grand format de la VF, mais quand c’est aussi mignon on ne veut pas juste 30 min de lecture

Je vais probablement me laisser aller au second tome quand je serai de retour au travail hihi (les joies de la librairie)

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Effie has a lot of changes to deal with when she has to move in with a pair of aunts she’s never met, start a new school, make new friends, and discover she’s a witch! But her two aunts are also witches, and between their knowledge, guidance and kindness, Effie is in good hands.
When a music star comes to Carlotta and Selimene for help breaking what looks like a curse, Effie gets to help.
The story is cute, and the artwork has tremendous energy and charm, much like Selimene, Carlotta and Effie. I wonder what new trials and adventures await Effie as she learns more about being a witch.

[Esraa Gibreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

مبهجة.

[Ayesha (Seokjin's Version) ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ✨

Someone needs to make Miyazaki read this book.

Everything about this book was so wholesome- the setting, the characters, the art. It felt like a hug in the form of a book.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effie is sent to live with her much older aunt, Selimene after the death of her mother. Selimene is her closest living relative and at first she does not want a kid living with her! Her friend, Carlota is much more easy going and welcomes Effie. Eventually Selimene warms up to her and Effie settles into her new life in Brooklyn. She starts school and makes 2 friends, Oliver and Berrit. Oliver just lost his parents too, so Effie has that in common with him.

Selimene and Carlota say that they are acupuncturists and herbalists, but some things seems odd about what they do. When a famous pop star comes to them with a rare skin discoloration, Effie learns the truth - they are both witches and she soon discovers that she is a witch too!

This book was really entertaining. The difference in personalities between Selimene and Carlota is funny. Effie is a good kid. She had no idea about her powers and it was fun watching her discover them. I loved the art work. It really brought the story and the spells to life! This is a fun book that I really think kids will enjoy.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for a free review copy of this book!

This is a super cute graphic novel following Effie, who's just coming into her powers as a witch. After losing her mom, she's sent to live with two aunts that she's never met before and slowly they help her deal with her grief as well as her burgeoning powers. This book is very cute and I love how the aunts are with Effie. They give her her space but still help her deal with everything without smothering her. Overall, really great graphic novel.

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Effie is sent to live with her two aunts, she discovers that they possess certain powers, and that . . . Effie has them, too. This was a delightful treat! The author wrote the story, AND did the artwork.

I LOVE the aunts! Can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

Effie's mom is gone so she's forced to go live with an aunt she doesn't know. She and her aunt get off to a rocky start but they might just be made for each other. Turns out her aunt is a witch and it looks like Effie is too.

What I Loved:

1. Carlota and Selimene
I love female friendships in a book. Carlota and Selimene are on point. I love how they play off each other and have their own strengths.

2. Effie
Effie is a great character. She's tough, but willing to learn, and she's believable as a middle-schooler.

3. Effie's Friends
I love her friends and how unique they are, yet they all fit together. It felt very realistic.

4. Fun Story and Humor
Great plot and humor.

[Vincentimes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fan de Francis (aussi je pense que les petites mamies sont ensembles)

[eva ⚘ · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best graphic novels i have ever read, hands down !! first of all, it had one of my most favorite drawing styles ever; i couldn't get enough of the amazing illustrations and the pretty colors. the plot itself was really nice and unique. but what i love the most, were the characters. usually, characters outside of the main protagonists tend to be underdeveloped and rather flat in graphic novels.

HOWEVER, the author managed to create so unique and interesting characters that I fell in love with every single one of them. my personal favorite was aunt selimene! i couldn't stop laughing with all her savage moments. plz read this novel, it deserves so much more hype!

[Molly R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this in one sitting! I picked this up to read with my little sister, but I actually really enjoyed it! It reminds me of Practical Magic, but for kids.

Effie is an 11 year old girl who just lost her mother. She goes to live with her aunt and her aunt’s friend. She soon learns that they are witches, and she is also a witch. After learning this, her powers start to appear very quickly. They are faced with trying to undo a nasty spell for a well-known singer.

I must say, the characters really jumped off the page. They each had a very unique, lovable personality. Selimene was my favorite. The art is so beautiful and vibrant. It’s a very funny, well put together story that I would highly recommend to parents of middle-grade age children. The content is appropriate, and it’s easy to also enjoy as an adult.

[Abby Johnson]

After the death of her mom, Effie lands with her aunt Silomene in a wacky old house in Brooklyn and soon after she arrives, she learns that she has latent magical powers that are starting to bloom now that she's surrounded by magic. This likeable fantasy graphic novel will appeal to readers who love stories of tween witches and I'd hand it to fans of The Okay Witch. I loved both of them!

[Annaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute and fun reminder why adults should never turn their noses up at "children's" books. The charming characters and setting (which would be incredibly lively even without Escabasse's bold and expressive art) pop off the page as if they were enchanted by a magic spell from Effie or her aunts.

The Witches of Brooklyn is a lovely first entry in what's sure to be an enchanting (ba dum tsh) series.

[Caroline Dunbar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flawless

[Ainara Onzain Sarrias · Rating 5 out of 5]

A vegades un còmic infantil/juvenil sobre bruixes és l'únic que necessites a la vida

[BookishStitcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of this book made me unsure of if I would like because of a lot the characters attitude, but it got better. It's super cute. My daughter loved it. I think a lot of upper elementary kids would enjoy this story. Great for October!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely enjoyable! This charming discovery of self story is wonderfully done with a light touch, plenty of humor and considerable skill in both text and illustrations. There is much conveyed here with subtlety of expression and there are a lot of interesting rabbit holes waiting to be peeked into in the next installment.

Loved the aunts, especially Selimene and her fashion sense. Effie is a character readers will root for and sympathize with and I really appreciated the group effort that was required to solve the central problem. Some nicely done social commentary eased into the story line too.

Terrific fun! I will eagerly read the next installment.

[Amanda M (On The Middle Shelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute fun middle grade graphic novel. I love that there is no romantic elements to this. Instead there is discussion about when artists/celebrities let you down. How sometimes we can love the art and not the artist and sometimes it's ok to allow the artist to effect how we feel about their art. It such a great message for kids wrapped in this fun package of a full-color graphic novel about witches. I also appreciate that the witches in this particular novel have chosen to be helpful/good witches. Overall a great story with relevant themes for a middle grade audience.

[Molly Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this for my 9 year old for Christmas and wanted to read it myself because the illustrations were just so inviting. I loved the fact that older women were main characters, and that they are so cute and witty. My 9 year old was expecting it to be more about witchcraft, but I thought it had enough witchy stuff in it. I wish we had gotten to know more about Effie's past. Cute book!

[Eule Luftschloss · Rating 5 out of 5]

trigger warning
mention of loss of parents, being orphaned, grief

One night, two old women are woken up by someone very persistent ringing their doorbell. Surprise: Your much younger sister died and you're the only relative left to care for her child!
Everyone is understandably grumpy, but they grow together as a family.

So we have two old women who either might be best friends or could be queer. They live in a huge house, so there is a space for the new addition to the family. But there is a basement Effie is told to ignore, as it is unfinished and boring. But her aunts show her everything, not the boring basement, which is fishy. And then, she starts to glow in the dark.

Loved it. Can stand on it's own, but I saw that there are further installments and I would love to read on. This was pretty great for a random library find.

[Lisa RV · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic novel, middle school, cute story. MD BES nominee.

[Richelle Delgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable!