William and the Witch's Riddle

Gr 4–6—William and Pinch's mother disappeared years ago, and when their father left to go to the village, he didn't return. Now, the siblings are down to their last turnips. When a witch shows up on their doorstep, she demands that William solve a riddle. She claims that if he solves the riddle, it will lead him to his mother. Left with no choice, he delves into its mystery. As he follows the path of the riddle and searches for his parents, his adventure leads to encounters with a size-changing guardian fae, a pint-size dragon, a mysterious horse, poisonous GrimWyrms, an herbal witch, a cursed spindle, and more. The characters' engaging, well-developed personalities easily pull readers into William's world. The plot is simple, and the mystery could use a bit more developing, but it will appeal to younger middle grade readers who like fantasy, fractured fairy tales, and adventure. The illustrations are detailed and complement the story.