This book was very surprising, in a good way. When i first began reading it, I was a little bored, and almost considered stopping. But I decided to keep going, and so I finished the book. I am so glad I did! The Witch's Boy had an unique plot, something like which I have never seen before. The main character was Ned, who never spoke much after his twin brother. His mother was a witch, but then she had to travel away unexpectedly. While she is gone bandits show up to steal the magic his family guards. The only way to protect is to use it himself. Then he is kidnapped and must escape. Where is his mother? Why is the army gathering? What does the Bandit King's daughter have to do with anything? I recommend this book to all teens. There is violence, so it shouldn't be read by younger kids.
The Witch's Boy
By Kelly Barnhill
| Interest Level | Reading Level | Reading A-Z | ATOS | Word Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 4 - 8 | Grades 10 - 9 | Z | 4.7 | 86300 |
A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2014
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2014
A Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best" 2014
The wrong boy will save your life, and you will save his.
When Ned and his identical twin brother tumble from their raft into a raging river, only Ned survives. Villagers are convinced the wrong boy lived. But when a Bandit King comes to steal the magic Ned’s mother, a witch, is meant to protect, it’s Ned who safeguards the magic and summons the strength to protect his family and community.
Meanwhile, across the enchanted forest that borders Ned’s village lives Áine, the resourceful and pragmatic daughter of the Bandit King, who is haunted by her mother’s last wordsto her: “The wrong boy will save your life and you will save his.” When Áine’s and Ned’s paths cross, can they trust each other long enough to stop the war that’s about to boil over between their two kingdoms?
Book Reviews (15)
So far, I do not really like it, but I hope it gets brighter closer to the end. Anyways, it is a magical book, of how one kid can be magical because of their blood, but it was weird.
This was a pretty good book! The main character, Ned, and his brother were rafting on a cursed river and they both fell out and only Ned survived, the people from the town are convinced that he is his brother, they were identical twins. There is magic involved and he has to protect it! And then, far away, there is Áine, daughter of the Bandit King. Ned and Áine's paths cross and they trust each other enough to try and stop a war together! READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!
This book is interesting, but the plot is scattered and the characters are a little vague. The idea of the story is intriguing, but the details and the backstory spoil the essence of the story.
I wonder what this book is about.