The Isle of Skye has always been magical, but recent events have changed that. Nearly all the supernatural beings have been chased away by the local Ban the Witches and Fairies party (BW&F). The book opens with Sean and Iain, two fairy scouts, rescuing the fairy flag in order to keep the portal to the fairy world open. They are helped by a young witch in the form of a cat named Magaidh. Magaidh is the last witch to remain on the island; everyone else, including her family, have relocated because of the BW&F. Magaidh is undeterred, however, and wants to defeat the BW&F and make the island home to all the magical creatures again. She runs a business selling potions and wants to be able to keep helping the community. She has three pets, Peigi, Ùna, and Spìc, who keep her company and help her think things through. Together with her friends, she befriends a kelpie, rescues a dragon, and braves castle ruins to deal with an infamous ghost. And as it turns out, she has a personal connection to the BW&F, and she also has to work out the right way to deal with it.
Carolyn J. Nicholson’s The Last Witch on Skye is a fun tale I would have devoured as a child. It is written for kids aged 8 to 12, and they will be absolutely charmed. The supernatural creatures are well-thought-out and engaging, and the story of Magaidh and her friends is full of adventure. Her journey of reconnecting with her father and his family offers lessons in accepting and celebrating our differences, and shows us that revenge doesn’t feel good, family is important, and we can do anything with our friends. The Reader’s Guide at the beginning of the book is a great resource of Scottish and Gaelic terms, names, and pronunciations that the reader can refer back to as they read the story.
This book is full of whimsy and adventure, and is a fun way to learn about Scottish culture. If your children are anything like me, they’ll return to this book time and again for the wonderful characters and playful romp through the magical Isle of Skye.
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