As a decades-long fan of the musical Wicked, I was so excited to see the movie this year (and now can’t stop singing and dancing, much to my colleagues’ and husband’s delight). I finally decided to read Gregory Maguire’s Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, the source text for the musical, and while I’m enjoying the read, it’s very different from, and much darker than, the stage adaptation! If you and your loved ones are looking for books to continue the vibe of the show, here are a few options friendlier to all-ages.
Though best known for his adult riffs on classic tales, Gregory Maguire has written for all ages. Cress Watercress, a middle grade novel, would be great for kids to read to themselves or for a family read aloud. The animal story focuses on a family of rabbits; the titular Cress Watercress is the child bunny whose Papa goes missing after going out to find honey. Without Papa around, Mama moves the family into an old oak tree populated by a mix of other animals. With references to other children’s author classics like Beatrix Potter, this is a great way to ease into Maguire’s style.
If your kid is all-in on Elphaba and wants more of a young girl with more power than she can control, a witch who is misunderstood, and a corrupt government they must take on, Kelly Barnhill’s The Girl Who Drank the Moon is a great option. The kind witch Xan takes in the babies left in the forest as part of an annual sacrifice, but one year she accidentally feeds the child moonlight, and she takes in more power than planned. A ragtag group of misfits work together to form a family, seek the truth, and take on the powerful and devious Protectorate.
Like Shiz University, Vesey Conservatory in Eden Royce’s Conjure Island takes in both kids and creatures with unusual abilities. 11-year-old Delphinia ends up at Vesey when she’s sent to her great-grandmother’s house after a family emergency. Imagine Del’s surprise when she learns that this community– her community– is full of magic, dating back to her enslaved ancestors. Family secrets, identity and belonging, and the wonder of magic are just some of the themes explored in this great middle-grade fantasy.
For teens who like the boarding school setting of Shiz, but want a dark academia vibe and more sapphic confirmation than two roommates singing about how they can’t stop thinking about each other, try Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé’s thriller Where Sleeping Girls Lie. Recently orphaned Sade is new at the elite Alfred Noble Academy, but when her roommate goes missing soon after her arrival, Sade is drawn into the web of mysteries that plagues the school. Serious topics like sexual assault, suicide, and the coverups of violence against women are tackled in ways appropriate for teen audiences.
For another riff on The Wizard of Oz, check out the brand-new Toto by PNW author A.J. Hackwith, told from the perspective of the little dog. Frustrated by the quests everyone seems to send him and Dorothy on, Toto decides to switch things up and become a Bad Dog. Toto sees the hypocrisies and smoke-and-mirrors of Oz much more clearly than Dorothy, but can he convince her that they’re being led astray? A snarky tone and social commentary make this one popular in my book.
Bonus: the soundtrack for the original Broadway cast recording of Wicked the musical is available for streaming and download on Hoopla!
~posted by Jane S.
Shelf TalkAs a decades-long fan of the musical Wicked, I was so excited to see the movie this year (and now can’t stop singing and dancing, much to my colleagues’ and husband’s delight). I finally decided to read Gregory Maguire’s Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, the source text for the … Continue reading “Wicked Read-Alikes for Kids and Teens”
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