Bella Donna: Coven Road

Bella Donna lives in a children’s home. She’s hoping to be adopted, but so far the right family – the Forever Family, as Bella puts it – hasn’t come along. She would like to be part of a witch family, for she has always wanted to be one – and does seem to have the gift of magical powers, much to the consternation of her school friends. In the meantime, she is happy enough.

Then, one day, Lilith Sorciere comes to the home. She has no husband or children, but she is keen to adopt Bella. Delighted, Bella agrees to a month’s trial with Lilith and her cats in Coven Road.

Settling happily into her new life, and making friends with Lilith’s niece Verity, Bella does everything to appear normal and to hide her witchy ambitions. So imagine her surprise when she discovers by accident that Lilith is also a witch! From this moment on, their friendship flourishes, with Lilith teaching Bella, along with Verity, the basics of witchcraft. But Bella has underestimated the power of jealousy to turn her life upside down.

Though set within a framework of witches and magic, the story is essentially about finding one’s place in the world and being accepted. The book has a warmth and directness that will hold young readers; while its sympathetic characters – especially Bella – reinforce the story’s happy outcome and good-natured tone. Large black-and-white drawings decorating most of the double-page spreads add to the story’s charm.