A parent might reach for this book when their child is navigating the anxiety of a parent starting a new relationship, especially if the child feels suspicious or protective. It offers a safe, supernatural outlet for exploring those complex feelings. In "Witch Catcher," twelve year old Jen and her recently widowed father move into an old family home. Her dad quickly starts dating Moura, a local antiques dealer who seems a little too interested in the house's history. Jen discovers Moura is a witch trying to unleash an evil ancestor trapped in a family heirloom. This spooky mystery blends themes of family loyalty, bravery in the face of fear, and discerning who to trust. It's an excellent choice for kids who love a good scare but also need to see a young hero protect her family bond.
The protagonist's mother died before the story begins; this is a key part of the backstory.
Sensitive Topics
The death of a parent (Jen's mother) is a foundational element, having occurred before the story begins. It is handled directly as the source of the father's and Jen's grief and vulnerability. The approach is secular. The supernatural elements are presented as fact within the story's universe. The resolution is hopeful, with the external threat eliminated and the core family unit (father and daughter) strengthened and their communication improved.
Ideal Reader
A child aged 10 to 12 who loves genuinely spooky stories with high stakes, but is also navigating complex family feelings. It is particularly resonant for a child feeling anxious or resentful about a parent's new partner, as it validates their protective instincts through a fantasy metaphor.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware that the story is genuinely scary for the target age group. Moura is a menacing and manipulative villain. The scenes where Jen is alone and realizes she is being stalked or magically threatened can be intense. The climax involves direct peril. The book can be read cold, but parents should be ready to discuss the scariness and the underlying themes of trust and family. A parent introduces a new significant other and their child reacts with suspicion, hostility, or fear. The child might say, "I don't like them, they feel fake," or, "I have a bad feeling about them," expressing an anxiety that seems unfounded to the adult.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will primarily engage with the thrilling plot: the spooky house, the evil witch, and the mystery. They will root for Jen as a brave hero. An older reader (11-13) will be more attuned to the emotional subtext: Jen’s grief, her father’s loneliness making him vulnerable, and the complex fear of having her mother replaced. They will better grasp the story as an allegory for navigating new family structures.
What Makes It Special
While many books feature spooky houses or evil witches, "Witch Catcher" stands out by tightly weaving its supernatural plot with the very real, emotional conflict of a child's fear of losing a parent to a new relationship. The villain isn't just a monster; she is a direct threat to the family bond itself, making the stakes feel incredibly personal and relatable.
Read plot summary
Twelve-year-old Jen moves with her widowed father to a home they inherited in West Virginia. Her father, lonely and grieving, quickly falls for Moura, a charismatic local antiques dealer. Jen is immediately suspicious of Moura and her strange cat. Jen discovers that her great-uncle was a wizard who trapped a powerful witch, Gwalchmai, inside a glass "witch catcher." She soon realizes Moura is a descendant of the witch and is determined to free her ancestor. With the help of a new friend, Jen must embrace her own latent magical abilities to protect her father and defeat Moura.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Why do you think Jen's dad was so quick to trust Moura and refused to listen to Jen's warnings? Have you ever felt like an adult wasn't taking your concerns seriously?
2
Jen discovers she has magical abilities inherited from her ancestors. How did this discovery change the way she felt about herself and her ability to solve the problem?
3
The witch catcher was created to keep the family safe, but it also became the thing that put them in danger. Can you think of other examples of something that can be both protective and dangerous?
4
At the end of the book, Jen and her father have a much more honest relationship. What do you think they both learned about communication and trusting each other?
