Karen's Witch

A parent might reach for this book when their child comes home with wild stories about a neighbor or classmate, or seems afraid of someone they don't know based on rumors. This classic early chapter book follows imaginative second-grader Karen Brewer, who is convinced her mysterious neighbor, Mrs. Porter (whom she nicknames Morbidda Destiny), is a witch. Alongside her friend Hannie, Karen spies on Mrs. Porter, gathering 'evidence' like her black cat and late-night gardening. The story gently navigates themes of fear, curiosity, and the importance of looking past appearances. It’s an excellent choice for newly independent readers aged 6-9, as it validates a child's big imagination while modeling how to replace baseless fear with empathy and understanding. It opens a conversation about how our assumptions about people can often be wrong and the bravery it takes to admit a mistake and make a friend.