Baba Yaga's Assistant

McCoola, Marika. Baba Yaga's Assistant. Candlewick Press, 2015.

Masha's grandmother once faced down Baba Yaga and survived, so when Masha sees an ad for the job of assistant to Baba Yaga, she thinks nothing of storming away from her mixed-up family and joining the witch in the chicken house. But when her new stepsister is captured by Baba Yaga, will Masha be able to rescue her?

This book was simply wonderful. The illustrations are great, the storyline is entertaining, and I love the tie-in to Russian folklore. This would be an excellent book to recommend to the tween who has read every graphic novel and isn't quite ready for young adult material.

Recommended for: tweens
Red Flags: fantasy violence - Baba Yaga threatens to eat children and talks about their toes being crunchy, etc.
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars

Read-Alike Recommendations: The Fairy-Tale Detectives, A Tale Dark & Grimm, Egg & Spoon