Sisters, Egg and Spel, have grown up in an orphanage for ‘Wicked Girls’ and are constantly being told that they need to be cleansed and gain their souls. All the girls are there because a parent was a murderer and the sin has passed to the child; a concept that we would find hideous. When the two girls receive a message telling them to leave and go to an undertaker on the south coast, they are confused, but take the opportunity for escape. What follows turns their world upside down as they discover they are the children of witches and are actually witches themselves. In a world that has tried to destroy witchcraft they are in great danger and have to fight to overcome the evil that is trying to destroy those who are different.
This is a story that can be read on a variety of levels. It is an exciting story of witches and adventures that we can all enjoy, but it is also a chilling reminder of the way that people can be manipulated and brainwashed into believing what others tell them, as well as being about family and friendship. This is a brilliant story for upper KS2 pupils, 9+, which provides an excellent introduction to these concepts and will make young people think about ideas such as ‘false news’.
Margaret Pemberton
Egmont ISBN 9781405295543 £6.99
