School Library Journal
12/01/2022
Gr 3–7—The end of school spells a month at sleepaway camp for witch-in-training Effie Huchbolt-Walloo—without her friends. Despite her misgivings, Effie (vaguely coded in previous installments as having Asian and white heritage) quickly surprises herself and everyone else with an impressive magical aptitude for plant bonding. But her fear of swimming and her tumultuous relationship with cabinmate Sonia keep the camp's goals of finding inner peace and communing with nature at bay. A dare awakens a sleeping danger in the woodsy paradise. Escabasse's cozy witch world expands beyond Brooklyn to incorporate new, diverse witches and magical abilities. As Effie develops her own identity, she is reminded that "we have a lot of our parents within us, but we're not them." Back matter includes drawing tutorials, gardening tips, and information about a cherry blossom festival. VERDICT Another enchanting entry in a series that will have readers asking for "s'more." Read the first two volumes first.
Kirkus Reviews
2022-06-22
A fantastical, friendship-centered romp that leans into all the good feels about summer sleep-away camp.
Witch-in-training Effie Huchbolt-Walloo’s third adventure takes her away from the city to the lush natural landscape of Camp Raccoon, a place for young witches to bond with nature. She’s supposed to go solo, but at the last minute she’s joined by Henry, Aunt Carlota’s nephew, who’s transformed into a panda. Effie’s initial reluctance quickly dissipates as she makes new friends and begins exploring her unusually strong connection to the natural world. Through it all, the lake and forbidden island at its center loom over Effie. Can her newfound powers save Camp Raccoon when a dare has unintended consequences? Equally enjoyable as a stand-alone read or for returning fans, this entry balances fun new characters with the comfort of time spent with reliable standbys. Filled with classic summer-camp fare—friends and bullies, friendly competition and campfire camaraderie—the campers’ magical abilities add to the quirky humor and worldbuilding. Readers may especially enjoy daydreaming about Checkers High, a magical game that combines checkers and parkour. As is true of the series as a whole, characters present with a diversity of skin tones, body types, and hair colors and textures, however specific cultural and racial identities remain unspecified; in Witches of Brooklyn(2020), Effie’s Asian and White heritage is hinted at.
Comfortingly familiar and as thirst-quenching as an icy-cold lemonade on a hot summer’s day. (drawing tutorial, additional scenes) (Graphic fantasy. 8-12)
