A runaway adoptee encounters the ghost of a witch. She must wrestle her past to discover the witch’s secret and find her way home.
A runaway adoptee encounters the ghost of a witch. She must wrestle her past to discover the witch’s secret and find her way home.
Adoption, Magical realism
The future can be rewritten.
On the eve of her twelfth birthday, Beatrice Crosse runs away from her adoptive home only to encounter the ghost of England's most famous prophetess. The witch offers her treasure, but can she be trusted?
Bea must wrestle her past to discover the witch’s secret and find her way home.
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Must read! A coming of age story featuring ghosts, witches, childhood trauma, and adoption. A true must-read for middle readers! I received an Advance Reader Copy of Bea's Witch: A Ghostly Coming-of-Age Story by Daniel Ingram-Brown. What attracted me to Bea's Witch was the story of a young girl who'd recently been adopted facing her past traumas by meeting the ghost of a notorious English witch - how perfect, right? Without a doubt, this is one of my favourite reads of the year, for so many reasons. First, a nod to the author. Ingram-Brown is an adoptive parent working to bring light to adoption through creative writing. Thank you for this work! As someone who was adopted at birth, the fact that you're creating works of fiction with adopted characters and children who have gone through the foster system is so important and vitally necessary. Bea's story is about a young girl, adopted after a rough start to her life. Her mother seemingly abandoned her, allusions of something bad happening at her first foster house, and now she's safe with her adoptive mother, Denise. But she doesn't feel safe and she is defiantly not happy. The story begins with Denise bringing Bea to Mother Shipton's grotto where she has a rather strange encounter with the wishing well. What happens from here is a compelling ghost story that had me glued to the pages (I finished within just a couple of hours!) needing to know what would happen next. This isn't your campfire ghost story, but one that follows a young girl addressing the traumas of her short life. Her connection with Ma Shipton builds from the first chapter, with strange happenings occurring whenever Bea needs a boost in confidence or reassurance. I also loved that Mother Shipton is a real English historic figure, so not only does Ingram-Brown deliver a story of finding your way back from trauma, he weaves in historical fiction as well. Bravo! I would recommend Bea's Witch to Middle Readers and some YA Readers (and of course, adults interested in these reading groups, as well). There are spooky moments in it, so parents take note if you have more sensitive children. This book is a beautiful story on its own but would be especially impactful, I think, to adopted and foster children. Thank you, Daniel Ingram-Brown, for this masterpiece. I can see it being a staple on bookshelves. ~ Amanda Sloan, Reedsy Discovery
Bea is 11 going on well 12 and is struggling with big changes in her life. She has gained a new mother and a new school but feels she has to leave all her old life behind because Bea has just been adopted after several years in care. On a trip to see Mother Shipton’s Caves with Denise, her new mother, Bea has a strange experience and thinks she can hear a voice talking to her. Unthinkingly she takes a coin from the wishing well and feels a strong connection to it. But is Bea being haunted by Mother Shipton or her own demons? I didn’t want to put this down. I felt so much of Bea’s pain, her unwillingness to trust because she has been let down so many times and her own certainty that because of things she has done in the past, that she is unlovable. I really liked the glimpses of the past that have brought Bea to this point: Nelson, the poster and the warm day on the dock. And ultimately I liked Bea and like Denise, just wanted to give her a hug. Although this is clearly a standalone novel I would now like a story about Bea and her new and old circle of friends, where she just is adopted, not that that is the centre of the story. I want to know more of what happens to Bea next. Nicely done, Daniel! ~ Jane Teather, Care Experience and Culture Archive
An enchanting story, beautifully written. ~ P.J. Whiteley, Author, Journalist and Ghostwriter
A deft blending of historical, fantastical, contemporary and adoption fiction. I was genuinely transported. ~ Dr Rachel Connor, Novelist, Dramatist, and Prize-Winning Short Story Writer
I love, love, love Bea's Witch so much... The last two chapter had me crying and sobbing... I would recommend that future prospective adopters read this... ~ Paula Winterbottom, Adoption Team Manager
I loved it! The story sucked me in right from the start. Bea is a great character – so hurt but brave and strong, and I loved the deep attachment to Turtle that showed her vulnerability and need for love. Her struggles at school were so realistic, and the way the book slid seamlessly from gritty reality into magic was beautifully done. Mother Shipton walked right off the page and I was completely enthralled once they met at the cave. I could see it all in my mind’s eye and feel the wind, rain and growing menace. ~ Deborah Thornton, Outreach Librarian, North Yorkshire Libraries
Brilliant… A very powerful story. Spooky and haunting, but factual. ~ Morag Caunt, Author of Young Adult Fiction and Adoptive Parent
I liked the strange merging of history and contemporary times. This is a story about transition and finding a sense of place in the world. ~ Austin Bradshaw, English teacher & former support worker for parents with learning disabilities & difficulties whose children have been taken into car
Moving and Captivating. With the touch of a master craftsman, Daniel Ingram-Brown deftly interweaves a realistic portrayal of adoption with a story of magical encounter. ~ Dr Tom Dobson, Course Director for School of Education Masters degrees at Leeds Beckett University
An atmospheric story, full of witchcraft and magic. The protagonist, Bea, is a strong character dealing with the problems of everyday life, set against a background of sorcery and illusion. I would recommend Bea's Witch to all our library users. ~ Dianne Blashill, School Librarian
A heart-warming coming-of-age story that captures the stormy and vulnerable relationships of an adopted girl, with an added sprinkling of magic. ~ Hannah Seat, Early Years Lecturer and Adoptee
I really liked it… Being able to be inside Bea’s head in response to Denise’s actions was interesting. It made me think about what life will be like for our little girl and was a reminder to look beyond behaviour to the feelings underneath… ~ Adoptive Parent
“I really enjoyed it… I felt so many emotions while reading it, from Bea’s confusion and anger, to Denise’s effort to make Bea feel at home and loved… As someone who doesn’t know much about adoption or the process, it really enlightened me to the emotions that come with it, especially from the child’s point of view, and the parent’s, as well.” ~ Emily Ann, Book Blogger
