The Witch of Woodland by Laurel Snyder is a quirky, authentic exploration of the awkwardness and magic of being thirteen. Zipporah Chava McConnell, or Zippy, is preparing for her bat mitzvah and exploring Judaism for the first time since her parents aren’t particularly religious. But what Zippy really feels passionate about is witchcraft: she collects all kinds of witchy artifacts like black candles and tries out spells. As she studies the Torah, the Hebrew letters she’s learning start to feel as exciting and magical as witchcraft, a kind of spell in themselves. And then, to her surprise, Zippy accidentally summons a magical winged being. Could it be an angel or a witch? Why can Zippy suddenly read Hebrew overnight? Zippy’s journey to find and define herself will resonate honestly. (Middle-Grade Books)