The Grace of Wild Things

Determined to find a home for herself at last, 12-year-old Grace has run away from the orphanage in search of the legendary witch who lives in the forest. Grace knows all of the stories about the purportedly wicked witch in the woods, but she is convinced that they can't be entirely true. Her plan is to convince the witch to take her on as an apprentice because Grace has discovered that she, herself, has magical abilities and needs someone to help her to understand and refine her magic. Unfortunately, the witch is even more evil (and cantankerous) than the rumours had made her out to be, and she flatly refuses Grace's proposal until she sees something in Grace that makes her reconsider. So she makes this offer: if Grace can prove her magical talent by successfully casting all 100 and a half spells in the witch's grimoire by the time the cherry tree blooms, she can stay on as the witch's apprentice. If she fails, the witch will get all of Grace's magic. Beside herself with delight, Grace enthusiastically agrees.

Then the reality of her situation becomes clear, and Grace realizes just how great a task this is going to be. She soon makes a new friend (her very first!), and together the two girls, along with a fairy boy named Rum and Windweaver (Grace's pet crow), energetically throw themselves into the spells. Some prove to be much more challenging than others, and Grace is constantly aware of her looming deadline. As the weeks go by, she feels almost certain that the witch is softening towards her, and, with each passing day, she comes to love their little cottage in the woods more and more. But she also grows increasingly worried about the witch who is undeniably unwell. And when she finally learns the truth about why the witch needs her magic, it becomes more crucial than ever for her to complete the spells in time.

A deft and clever reimagining of Anne of Green Gables, Heather Fawcett's delightful creation also stands out as its own entirely original and endearing story. Whether or not the reader is familiar with Montgomery's tales about Anne, Grace is a unique protagonist, and her story is a whimsical adventure that will enchant young readers. Grace is melodramatic and passionate, self-deprecating and filled with a deep sense of love for the natural world and all of its wonders. She and her crow companion, Windweaver, share a fondness for poetry, and Grace, herself, revels in the wonder of words. In these and other ways, she is a kindred spirit to the inimitable Anne Shirley, but she, nonetheless, comes across as her own distinct person with her own talents and tribulations. Her new friend, Sareena, is a strong supporting character, and their friendship is an ongoing source of humour and tenderness. The relationship between Grace and Miss Puddlestone (the witch), as it evolves, is heartwarming and nuanced. Grace's race to make her way through the spells in the grimoire provides an intriguing framework for the plot, giving her the opportunity to learn more about herself and her magical gift, as well as the witch and her backstory, in the process. While there are numerous obvious parallels between this story and L.M. Montgomery's beloved classic, as well as many more subtle references that will delight Anne fans, this story is the best type of reimagining: it respectfully pays homage to the original tale while creating something new and fresh and delightful in its own right. Heather Fawcett's lyrical writing, her wit and wisdom and her gift for crafting winsome and relatable characters are fully evident in this latest book that manages to also beautifully capture the spirit of Anne and her world.