Salt Magic by Hope Larson and Rebecca Mock

            Salt Magic by Hope Larson and Rebecca Mock, Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House, 2021. 9780823446209 

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5

Format: Hardcover graphic novel

Genre: Fantasy/Historical

What did you like about the book? It’s 1919.  Vonceil’s beloved brother Elber, is returning from fighting in the war.  Getting off the train, he proposes to girlfriend Amelia; Amelia is ecstatic, Vonceil is not.  She wants her brother to herself, returning to the closeness they shared before he left.  It is not to happen.  Soon, the marriage takes place and a baby is on the way.  Then a beautiful mysterious lady appears in a sports car.  Elber knows her from his time in France.  She is Greda, a witch, and she wants Elber back.  When he refuses, she curses the family’s well, making it saltwater.   Vonceil must find Greda to make her remove the curse. Thus follows a journey filled with magic, treachery, fear and bravery.  The illustrations capture the time period of Oklahoma in the 1920s along with the fantastical kingdom of Greda.  There is darkness and light, fantasy and real world.  A spellbinding tale.

Anything you did not like about the book?  No.

To whom would you recommend this book? For the same author/illustrator duo you could read Compass South.  Those who liked Thummler’s Delicates and Sheets might enjoy this one.

Who should buy this book? Public and elementary school libraries

Where would you shelve it? graphic novels

Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Mighty close.

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Retired Librarian, Contributor, Youth Services Book Review

Date of Review: December 14, 2021