“I can’t be as my dad or my mum, you know?”

This award-winning graphic novel on gender stereotypes, friendship and identity construction follows thirteen-year-old Aster in the magical world of witches and shapeshifters. In this world, boys normally become shapeshifters, and girls grow up as witches, but as a boy, Aster is rather interested in witchery, which causes a great conflict because there are just two roles to which genders must conform in his world. Also, Aster has a non-magic friend, but he is not supposed to hang out with ordinary humans like her. Will Aster cross the line and follow his passion? 

The Witch Boy offers a critical perspective on gender roles and will fuel classroom discussions on gender stereotypes and fitting in. Also, the story features people of colour, queer and non-conforming characters, which reflects society’s diversity. As a neatly illustrated graphic novel, the text is accessible for younger learners and might also serve for interdisciplinary teaching projects with Ethics and Social Science, as well as, project weeks on diversity and LGBTQ+ awareness.

Comic/Graphic novel · United States · 2017