Lately, I've been thinking a lot about the heft of books written for middle grade readers. And by heft, I am not referring to their size. While the debate over how long a middle grade book should be (192 pages?) continues to rage on, I've been sitting over here quietly chewing on the relative weightiness of the topics these books explore. To be clear, I think middle grade fiction is the perfect category in which to unpack life's crunchiest bits. After all, it's during the middle grade years (ages 8-12 roughly) that we are most likely to experience some of the life's most challenging curveballs, if not for the first time, then certainly for the first time that we're truly able to reckon with and feel them deeply. It's no coincidence that some of our most deeply felt scars are carved into our hearts during these very years. With that said, it takes a special kind of magician to craft stories that are both respectful of their readers' ability to carry heavy things, and capable of making that lift a little easier to bear. Natalie Lloyd is one such magician.
When I think of Natalie Lloyd's books, I think of three things: family, friendship and a little bit, (a snicker, if you will), of magic. While it's true that Natalie's stories also deliver a heavy dose of southern charm along with some of the most effective disability representation in books written for young people, those things feel a bit like essential seasonings added to recipes whose foundational ingredients focus on big ideas like: what it means to a friend; the myriad ways there are to create family; and just how important it is to notice the magic in all of us. I often say that I think the best middle grade books are love letters to specific readers - with that reader sometimes being a younger version of the author themself. With that in mind, Natalie Lloyd's books always feel to me like love letters to kids whose sparkle has been dimmed and who need a reminder of just how brightly they are capable of shining. And, y'all... Natalie's latest book, The Witching Wind, is an exceptional reminder to readers, (of all ages), that we each have a light inside us AND, what's more, one of the best things we can do for ourselves, and the world, is to let that light shine.
Which brings us to our story...
As her family often reminds her, Roxie Darling was born to shine. Even though she lives on the poor side of Silas County, Tennessee, (the part populated with funky colored, lopsided trailers), her grandmother is a local legend and a gifted musician who repeatedly refers to Roxie as her rock star. Together, they share a love of music, a deeply felt connection to Appalachia and a dream of one day going on tour together. While all of Roxie's family is colorful and loving, Granny is the sun around which Roxie's world revolves.
Grayson Patch, on the other hand, has made an art out of being invisible. Despite the fact that she uses a walker adorned with twinkle lights (which she flicks on to remind others that she does, in fact, exist) most days Grayson feels more like a ghost floating through the world unnoticed, than like an active participant. A long time foster kid, Grayson is used to not belonging in any one place and to not having people she can depend on. Everything in Grayson's life is temporary except for her older sister, Beanie. Even though they have been placed in separate foster homes, Beanie, and their shared plans to move to NYC together as soon as Beanie turns 18, are the only things keeping ghost-girl Grayson tethered to solid ground.
On the surface, Grayson and Roxie don't have a lot in common. Apart from the fact that they're both starting 6th grade at Camelot Middle School (Go Knights!) these two kids couldn't be more different. However, when Granny and Beanie go missing - seemingly snatched up by the witching wind, (a notorious and perhaps magical meteorological phenomena unique to Silas County), Roxie and Grayson find in one another something each desperately needs: a friend who understands what it's like to lose something precious. Together, along with a charming collection of misfits, (brought together by a school program that sorts 6th graders into clubs), Grayson and Roxie go on the hunt for Granny and Beanie. What they find is often unexpected and sometimes disappointing.
Individually, and together, Roxie and Grayson are carrying some heavy stuff. Roxie is dealing with body image issues that are exacerbated by a relentless school bully. As if middle school isn't tough enough, the new found shame she now feels for her own body, the recent severing of a life-long friendship and her dad's worsening depression, all make Roxie unsure of the value she brings to the community she loves so much. Similarly, when Beanie goes missing, Grayson isn't particularly concerned. After all, Beanie is brave and spontaneous: a free spirit who serves at Grayson's true north. But when Beanie stops responding to Grayson's texts and it starts to look more and more like Beanie has chosen to disappear, (just like their mother did years before), Grayson can't help but wonder if she's the type of person ALL people abandon eventually, because they see her as being a burden: incapable of caring for herself.
There's a saying that goes, "if kids are capable of experiencing something, they are capable of reading about that thing, too." And while there's a whole lot of truth wrapped up in those words, there's also this: trauma is a unpredictable trickster. Middle grade readers, especially, need stories that help them unpack trauma while also surrounding them with humor, love and characters who have, clearly, been created to protect their hearts. It's a mistake to think that all middle grade books need to have a happy ending, but I think they do need to leave readers believing that happy endings are possible. Having said all that, Natalie Lloyd's The Witching Wind is a book that, like the wind itself, lifts and carries readers through some pretty dark storms. In the end, however, when the clouds part and the winds calm, readers are reminded that happy endings (and magic!) aren't just possible, they're kind of unavoidable when you surround yourself with people who shine.
Some other things I loved about this book...
As a media literacy nerd, I loved the way school bully, and Queen of the Mean Girls, Love Kilgore, uses memes as a tool for torment. This type of phone based, built to go viral, bite sized cruelty is something far too many readers will recognize. Couple this with how Grayson, Roxie (and others) choose to engage with Love's clickbait, and savvy teachers (and librarians!) will find media literacy fruit that's just ripe for the picking!
Roxie Darling?? Beanie Patch???? Love Kilgore?????? I'm going on record and saying these, my friends, are the best named characters in all of kidlit.
I'm a sucker for books that feature crows and their magic! (I'm looking at you Kelly Barnhill's The Ogress and The Orphans!)
I learned there's a word for people who love the rain: pluviophile. I'm not sure I've ever felt more seen!
ISBN: 9781338858600
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: September 2024
Audience: Roxie and Grayson are just starting 6th grade but I think it's perfect for readers in 5th grade+.
⭐️ BONUS CONTENT:
Y'all! Natalie Lloyd will be joining me (and all of you!) for this month's Bookelicious Middle Grade Book Club on 10/15/24! Registration for this event is FREE and there will be a recording, so reserve your spot today! That said, every month I create additional resources, (related to our book club pick) for participants. It's my hope that these resources will prove helpful to educators who spend their days connecting readers to the stories their hearts need most. While I'm still holding a few goodies up my sleeve, here's a preview of the The Witching Wind related resources I will share during book club in October.
COLORING SHEET:
First, I created a coloring sheet to go along with The Witching Wind! I've been thinking a lot lately about the ways that reading (and coloring!) can serve as stress reducers during a time when so many of us (kids included!) are experiencing a great deal of stress. In my heart of hearts, I'd like to think that this resource might entice colorers to pick up Natalie's book, while also giving those readers who have already fallen in love with it, a fun way to stay connected to the story, but... it's fine if readers (of all ages!) just have fun coloring it, too. You can access the free download here.
CONNECTIONS:
Next up, I also created a Connections style puzzle to go along with The Witching Wind! As someone who plays the NYT Connections puzzle every day, I have the most fun creating these, y'all! I wrote about the process for creating book related Connections here. The post also includes a planning worksheet for kiddos to help them with the process of creating their own book related Connections puzzles. That said, a link to the puzzle for The Witching Wind, along with the answer key, can be found here.
DISCOUNT CODE:
Finally, please enjoy a special discount of 20% off Red Bird Danced (or other books of your choice) by visiting Bookelicious and using the code JENNIFERLAGARDE. Note: I do not make any money when you purchase books from Bookelicious, but I am delighted that you get to save some by using my discount code! HOWEVER, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that buying books from Bookelicious is the way we keep events (like our Middle Grade Book Club) free while also supporting the authors and illustrators who join us each month, so... I hope you'll think of your book purchases from Bookelicous as supporting a good cause!
Happy Reading!
