Unfamiliar Magic

August 23, 2010
Twelve-year-old Desi and her mother are witches who have always hidden their magical abilities, moving from place to place for reasons that her mother won't share. When Desi's mother is forced to confront a powerful magician who has designs on Desi, she leaves her daughter in the care of the family cat (who she first transforms into a teenage girl) to ensure her safety. Desi feels hurt by the abandonment, but decides it's a perfect opportunity to teach herself forbidden magic, in the process discovering the dangers in practicing it with an unskilled hand. In her mother's absence, Desi finds comfort in her friendships with charmingly oblivious Jarrett and with "Cat," whose feline-turned-teen incarnation results in some funny mishaps (she surprises Jarrett's shy older brother by pouncing through his window one morning). Predictably, family secrets are revealed in a conclusion that hints at Desi's destiny, but despite familiar tropes, younger readers seeking a Harry Potter-like heroine should enjoy debut author Alexander's mix of magic and tween conflict. Ages 10–14.

April 1, 2010
Gr 5-8-As Desi; her mother, a witch; and their cat are settling into yet another new home, the girl's mother unexpectedly leaves, turning the cat into a teen to stay with Desi. The 12-year-old has never understood why they are always moving and is particularly perplexed by this latest turn of events. Readers will enjoy Desi's attempts to learn magic on her own, the cat's difficulties with suddenly becoming a human girl and dealing with boys and clothes and catty girls, and Cat and Desi's adventures in independence. However, when her warlock father (whom she has never met and knows nothing about) comes on the scene, the plot turns convoluted and confusing. The parents battle as wizard and witch, an evil monkey who's not what he seems tries to kidnap Desi, and wild winds blow as evil spirits are unleashed. The book struggles to be funny and scary, ordinary and magical, contemporary and otherworldly, and loses readers in the mix."Kathy Kirchoefer, Prince Georges County Memorial Library System, New Carrollton, MD"

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