Published: 2022
Series: The Gingerbread Witch
Author: Alexandra Overy
Genres: Fantasy, Fairytales, Adventure
Audience (Grade Levels): Grades 4-8
Number of Stars: 4-Stars
Goodreads Link: The Gingerbread Witch
Triggers: None
Review By: Heather Turner
Publisher’s Summary
“A magical tale, brimming with heart.” —Anne Ursu, National Book Award–long-listed author of The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy
Maud has grown up in a house made of gingerbread, wanting nothing more than to be a witch like Mother Agatha. But just like all of Agatha’s gingerbread creations—from the magical house to the chocolate mousse squirrel—Maud will turn back into crumbs if anything ever happens to Agatha. This seems unthinkable…until Hansel and Gretel, a pair of witch hunters, push Agatha into the cottage’s oven. To save herself and the other creations, Maud will have to go into the dangerous forest of the Shadelands to find the First Witch’s spellbook. But with witch hunters on her trail and others interested in the book for their own means, can Maud bring back the only mother she’s ever known…or will witch hunters capture her before she can save her gingerbread family?
Review
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the advance review copy.
I am always a sucker for a fairy tale retelling, and The Gingerbread Witch was such a fun twist on Hansel and Gretel. Instead of seeing the story through the eyes of the famous siblings, we get Maud’s perspective, a girl made entirely of enchanted gingerbread who dreams of becoming a witch herself. It is a fresh concept that immediately grabbed my attention. One of my favorite parts of the book was its cozy atmosphere. There is something magical about a gingerbread cottage, enchanted baking, talking animal companions, and a mysterious forest. Even though there are moments of danger, the story still has that warm, fairy tale feeling that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and a mug of hot chocolate while you read.
Maud is an easy character to root for. She is brave, kind, and determined, even when she is completely out of her depth. Her journey is about much more than saving Mother Agatha. It is also about discovering who she is, finding courage she did not know she had, and realizing that family is not always defined by blood. I also adored Nuss, the chocolate mousse squirrel, who stole nearly every scene he appeared in. Alexandra Overy does a wonderful job reimagining the familiar Hansel and Gretel story. The book challenges the traditional ideas of heroes and villains, reminding readers that stories often have more than one side. I appreciated that the characters were more nuanced than I expected, and the twists kept the story feeling fresh even when I recognized elements of the original fairy tale.
This is a fantastic middle grade fantasy for readers who enjoy magical adventures, fairy tale retellings, and stories filled with heart. Fans of Jessica Day George, Gail Carson Levine, or The Girl Who Drank the Moon would likely enjoy this one as well. The ending leaves plenty of room for more adventures, and I would happily return to this world. If you are looking for a cozy fantasy with memorable characters, a touch of humor, and just the right amount of magic, The Gingerbread Witch is definitely worth picking up.
Classroom & Curricular Connections
- ELA / Literature: This text is an exceptional resource for studying narrative perspective, literary nuance, and the subversion of classic folklore. Students can analyze how changing the point of view to a non-traditional protagonist shifts the thematic alignment of heroes and villains.
- SEL (Social-Emotional Learning): Maud’s journey centers heavily on self-discovery, identity, intrinsic bravery, and understanding that family connections extend beyond biological boundaries, making it ideal for classroom conversations about belonging.
Readalikes
- Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega
- Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
- The Sister’s Grimm: The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley
- The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
