Toil & Trouble: 15 Tales of Women & Witchcraft

Gr 7 Up—This anthology features stories about witches from the past, present, and near-future, all written by female authors. There are trained witches, witches coming into their powers, and the falsely accused. The girls come from a wide variety of backgrounds and are often forced to deal with circumstances not of their own making. In "Beware of Girls with Crooked Mouths" by coeditor Spotswood, Jo gets a vision of the future and takes matters into her own hands despite how it may impact her sisters. "The Gherin Girls" by Emery Lord takes focuses on the power of sisterhood and supporting one another. "Why They Watch Us Burn" is a haunting dystopian story reminiscent of The Handmaid's Tale, where women are subjugated and called witches for not falling in line with mainstream authority. "Divine Are the Stars" by Zoraida Córdova is a story steeped in magical realism and one of a few inspired by Latinx culture and folklore. Several entries involve LGBTQ+ protagonists, as in "The Heart in Her Hands" by coeditor Sharpe, where Bettina Clarke receives her soulmark (the mark of her soulmate) but is less than thrilled by its appearance and what it represents. While some stories include mild sexual content, mentions of rape, and abusive relationships, the writing remains non-graphic, making it appropriate for younger teens.