Practical Rules for Cursed Witches

Gr 8 Up–Delilah Bea’s much-awaited calling, her assigned task to prove she deserves to be a fully licensed witch, is highjacked by the sickly, dying Kieran Pelumbra, a secretly cursed member of a prominent witch family. As a result, Delilah must set off to find Kieran’s long-lost sister and break a generational curse, or risk losing her magic forever. While she’s at it, maybe she can break her own curse, one that prevents her from finding love, and also figure out how to get along with Briar, Kieran’s mysterious brooding twin sister. Part cozy fantasy, part mystery adventure, Cottingham’s newest novel explores what it means to be family as Delilah, Kieran, and Briar dig deeper into a curse that may have its roots in something even more sinister. As Kieran grows weaker, and Briar and Delilah grow closer, time is running out. Cottingham’s writing style captures what it is like to be a young adult awkwardly setting out in the world, the moments when teens realize their parents aren’t perfect, and the fragility of finding love in uncertain times.