Bloodling

Gr 5–8—Kaaberbøl delivers another thrilling installment about Clara, the budding Wildwitch. Beginning on the eve of her 13th birthday, a significant milestone that marks a young Wildwitch's official entry into the study of her powers of communicating with and controlling the Wildworld, Clara has a tumultuous evening. Strange things are happening to her family and friends, and Clara is forced to make a difficult break from her mother as she decides to accept her magical powers despite her mother's trepidation. Featuring excellent world-building, this novel speaks to the experience of occupying the liminal space between childhood and adulthood. Although Clara's mother has reasons for her dislike of the Wildworld, Clara knows that to be her own person she has to embrace this side of herself that is central to her identity, despite the dangers. An intricate cast of characters and the relatable and sometimes wryly humorous Clara are at the heart of the success of this series. Periodic illustrations in pen-and-ink assist readers in visualizing the characters.