Witchlings
#1 of 4 in Witchlings Series
on Goodreads (4,890)
What’s inside...
A magical adventure about three witchlings in the town of Ravenskill who must work together to complete an impossible task in order to earn their full powers. Seven Salazar, a twelve-year-old witchling, is unexpectedly placed in a 'Spare' coven with two others during the Black Moon Ceremony. Spares are looked down upon and their magic is less powerful. When their initial attempt to seal their coven fails, they are assigned an impossible task. If they succeed, they will become full-fledged witches; if they fail, they risk turning into toads forever. Throughout their journey, they learn that friendship might be the most powerful magic of all. This middle grade Latine witch story by Claribel A. Ortega, filled with humor and girl-power vibes, is a modern classic inspired by tales like Amari and the Night Brothers and Nevermoor.
Character compass
Seven Salazar
Thalia Reyes
Val Pepperhorn
Discussion points
What do you think are the main qualities of a true friend, based on the characters in 'Witchlings'?
If you had magical powers like the characters, how would you use them to help others?
How do the characters in the book overcome their challenges? What can we learn from their resilience?
What does the story teach us about teamwork and working with others who are different from us?
Why do you think the author chose witches as the main characters? How does this choice affect the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts about the characters' decisions and actions. Ask them how they might handle similar situations in their own life.
Use the magical elements of the story to spark imagination. Ask your child to invent their own magical creature or spell and describe what it would do.
Discuss the importance of teamwork as shown in the book. Relate it to your child’s experiences in school or in sports.
Explore themes of friendship and loyalty. Ask your child to talk about qualities they value in their friends, drawing examples from the book's characters.
After reading, encourage your child to draw or write a short story about their favorite scene or character, adding their own creative twist.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: In 'Witchlings,' the characters must work together to complete a challenging task. This collaboration is pivotal for their success in the story.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of cooperating with others to achieve common goals, which is a vital skill in school projects and family activities.
Example Lesson: Embracing diversity
Explanation: The book features a diverse cast of characters with different backgrounds and abilities, emphasizing the strength found in differences.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to appreciate and respect people's differences, promoting inclusivity and understanding in their interactions with others.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing challenges
Explanation: The young witches face numerous obstacles which they overcome through perseverance and resilience, underlining the importance of not giving up despite difficulties.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to persist in the face of challenges, whether they are tackling a difficult subject at school or dealing with a personal setback.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: Throughout their journey, the characters learn to trust and support one another, showing how true friendship can provide emotional support and strength.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of building and maintaining strong friendships, which can offer support during both good times and bad.
Example Lesson: Courage to be oneself
Explanation: Characters in the book often celebrate their unique traits, which teaches the value of self-acceptance and the courage to stand out.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be confident in their identities and express themselves authentically, crucial for personal development and self-esteem.