Synopses & Reviews
A fun middle-grade contemporary fantasy with an all-BIPOC cast, about a social-media-loving tween who gets sent to an ultra-private witch camp
Hasani's post-seventh-grade summer to-do list is pretty simple: get a bigger following for her makeup YouTube channel and figure out how to get her parents back together. What she does NOT expect is that an emotional outburst will spark a latent magical ability in her. Or that the magic will be strong enough to attract the attention of witches. Or that before she can say #BlackGirlMagic, she'll be shipped off on a scholarship to a fancy finishing school for talented young ladies.
Les Belles Demoiselles is a literal charm school. Here, generations of young ladies from old-money witch families have learned to harness their magic, and alumnae grow to become some of the most powerful women across industries, including politicians, philanthropists, CEOs, entrepreneurs — and yes, even social media influencers. Needless to say, admission to the school is highly coveted, very exclusive… and Hasani sticks out like a weed in a rose bouquet.
While the other girls have always known they were destined to be witches, Hasani is a Wildseed — a stray witch from a family of non-witches, with no background knowledge, no way to control her magic, and a lot to catch up on. "Wildseed" may be an insult that the other girls throw at her, but Wildseeds are more powerful than they know. And Hasani will learn that there are ways to use magic and thrive that can never be taught in a classroom.
Review
"This book is pure magic and I was hooked from the very first page! My main question now is: how can I get Hasani to be my best friend?" Lisa Greenwald, author of the My Life in Pink & Green trilogy
Review
"Dumas invites readers into a wonderful world of witchcraft that highlights the contributions of the diaspora; the infusion of Creole heritage and the acknowledgement of enslavement grounds this world without dimming its light." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Readers will love the world [Dumas] creates, which brims with Black Girl Magic….She also intertwines magic with technology, giving this series starter a decidedly modern feel." Booklist
About the Author
Marti Dumas taught elementary school literacy for ten years, conducts teacher literacy trainings, and is the author of Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest. She lives in New Orleans with her family.