Jazzy the Witch returns with a second story in this fun graphic series. Last year I featured Jazzy in BROOM DOOM where readers discovered she likes riding bikes more than brooms.
In this story, Jazzy takes her love of cycling by training other witches. She is the best rider so it makes sense, but then a new rider appears who is showing off how they might even be better than Jazzy in their cycling prowess. This new witch is also smart, possibly smarter than best friend Aggie.
Jazzie and Aggie choose not to befriend this witch. Instead they start an all out prank war, This also has its consequences leading Izzy to rethink their plan. Maybe the town has room for both of them to excel at school and on a bike.
The illustrations stand out on every page with colorful and fun expressions on each character’s face. It’s a fast pace read that will make you smile. The back pages include extras that will also please young readers. There’s a Witch-tionary and How to take a Moon Bath.
Perfect for readers who may rarely pick up a text based novel, JAZZY THE WITCH IN FRIEND FIASCO would also make a nice Halloween gift to add to that treat bag.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jessixa Bagley is a children’s book author-illustrator with a background in fine art and comics. She has had work featured in publications such as New American Paintings, Highlights Magazine, The Stranger, and Illustoria Magazine. She’s also the author of the middle grade graphic novels Duel and Dear Jackie (illustrated by Aaron Bagley) and the author-illustrator of the middle grade graphic novel series Jazzy the Witch. Jessixa is a two-time Washington State Book Award recipient; first in 2016 for her debut picture book, Boats for Papa, and again in 2024 for her graphic novel, Duel. Jessixa also received a 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award for picture book Laundry Day. Many of her books are Junior Library Guild Selections. In her work, she’s drawn to animals and emotional themes often inspired by her own experiences. Jessixa also teaches and speaks about writing and illustration. She often illustrates for other writers and artistically collaborates with her husband, Aaron Bagley. Jessixa lives in Seattle with her husband and son. (Author Website)
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I don’t usually feature chapter books since this blog is ALWAYS in the MIDDLE. I’m making an exception though for a yarn that is about, well, Yarn. YARN IS EVERYTHING arrives as the third book in the Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales! series.
Nine-year-old Winona is a mole who loves Yarn. She’s becoming a master at creating lifelike yarn sculptures with her crocheting excellence. This obsession leads her to being invited to participate as a contestant on the popular TV show: Yarn is Everything. The result is a surprise right to the final page. Each of the 13 chapters include a few illustrations that compliment the text nicely.
YARN IS EVERYTHING is not only a fun, creepy tale, but one that also might encourage a young readers to begin that next level of reading with a middle grade book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Aaron Reynolds…
Is a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author and has written many highly acclaimed books for kids including creepy carrots!, cREEPY PAIR OF UNDERWEAR!, Creepy crayon!, THE INCREDIBLY DEAD PETS OF REX DEXTER, and the epic fantasy series fart quest. He has a passion for kids’ books and seeing kids reading them. He regularly makes time for school visits, where his hilarious and heartfelt presentations keep kids spellbound. He lives in Chicago with his wife, two kids, three cats, and anywhere between zero and ten goldfish, depending on the day.
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Always in the Middle... 