Pip and the Wood Witch Curse by Chris Mould

Pip is an orphan.  He's been perfectly happy working in the stable at the orphanage, but now the owner has decided to sell him to a sea captain.  He doesn't want to go to sea.  On the way to the docks, he finds an opportunity to escape and runs.  Unfortunately, it's straight into trouble...

Albert Whitman & Company and Net Galley allowed me to download an ebook of this story to read for review (thank you).  It went on sale September 1st, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

This the beginning of a new series, and it intrigues me.  Pip sneaks onto a circus wagon and ends up in Hangman's Hollow, a walled city.  What he discovers almost immediately is that there are no children in this town.  Any that exist are hidden (and that's against the law) and the others are taken prisoners by the city officials or become food for the witches in the forest.  Pip is suddenly filled with longing for the small cabin on the boat he rejected, but it's too late.

Pip is saved by the bar owner, who has a hidden son of his own.  This is really where his adventures begin.

This is written for readers of 8-12 years, has a bit of magic and a lot of evil in the story, and Pip has to be brave if he's going to stay alive.  You can tell that Pip has some work ahead of him if he's going to save his friends and himself.  That will be covered in the next book in the series. The story is busy and entertaining.  Why not share it with your young one?

Happy reading.