In this heavily allusive fantasy set in coastal Maine, narrator Rosie, an avid fantasy writer, lives alone with her neglectful mother, leaving herself parental notes ("You look taller today, sweetie"). When her best friend, assertive and athletic Germ, suggests that the new sixth graders abandon childish things, Rosie burns her stories, inadvertently unlocking a special sight that reveals the ghosts--some friendly, some menacing--coexisting in her home. Helping to locate an old volume, The Witch Hunter's Guide to the Universe, the ghosts disclose the existence of 13 witches who conjure the world's evil, Rosie's mother's past as the last known witch hunter, and the root of Rosie's mother's neglect in the covetous Memory Thief's curse. But the sight also places Rosie, and others, in danger of that witch and her emissaries. In this novel of ghosts, memory, and story, Anderson (Midnight at the Electric) weaves components of children's literature mainstays into a dreamlike first-person narrative. Though reveals are clearly telegraphed, an atmospherically rendered villain and a layered portrait of two friends intent on rescuing each other elevate this trilogy opener. Ages 9--13. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (Mar.)

Gr 4--8--Growing up with an indifferent mother, Rosie quickly learns to take care of herself and find the love she seeks in her own stories, which she shares with her best friend. When she decides that she is too old for storytelling, she unknowingly opens up her inherited power of "sight." Rosie comes from a long line of witch hunters who have the ability to see deeper into the world around them. She learns of witches, ghosts, a moon goddess, and how dangerous her life may become. Coming face-to-face with one of the 13 original witches, Rosie has to learn her place and powers in this new world. Anderson weaves a beautiful tale of beauty and darkness. This larger world is described eloquently in its magical details and terrifying dangers. Readers will come to understand the importance of love, friendship and imagination, while being warned against those who feed off of these good parts of the world. This first book in a new series ends on an intriguing note for future titles. VERDICT For fans of Cornelia Funke's "Inkheart" and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon, fantasy fans will have much to enjoy with this one.--Julie Jesernik, Warrenville P.L., IL

A girl uncovers family secrets and faces off against a witch called the Memory Thief. Sixth grader Rosie wishes her cold, neglectful mother loved her--readers know from the prologue that her mother's under the Memory Thief's powerful curse--and copes by writing fairy-tale--esque stories. But when Rosie's bold best friend, Germ, starts growing up faster than Rosie, she worries she'll be left behind. Deciding to set aside her childish things, she burns her stories; in doing so, she awakens her sight, which allows her to see all the ghosts in her house. Friendlier ghosts lead her to her mother's hidden witch hunter's manual and educate her on her family's long, tragic quest against the 13 evil witches who counter the good Moon Goddess. But the sight also draws the attention of the Memory Thief's servants, bringing the witch directly up against Rosie. With help from Germ and a ghost friend, Rosie must learn how her mother protected her as a baby and obtain a weapon to use against the witch. The will-they-grow-apart friendship storyline is handled with love and nuance. The magical plot requires lots of exposition but reads quickly. At times, development of the themes--for example, the magic and power of stories--can be a little heavy-handed, but readers who connect with Rosie likely will benefit from such reassurances. After the resolution, the stakes are ramped up to tease sequels. Whiteness is situated as the default. A bighearted adventure. (Fantasy. 8-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

It's always been up to Rosie to make sure things get done around the house, because her mom simply can't. Existing in fog of forgetfulness, her mother spends her days in the attic office doing data entry and staring out at the sea. Otherwise, the sixth grader is going through typical tween growing pains, chief among them the worry that her best friend, Germ, is outgrowing their friendship. This fear prompts Rosie to destroy her notebooks of "childish" stories, unintentionally activating an ability to see magic in the world around her. Ebb, a ghost who lives in her house, fills in many blanks for Rosie about her mother's past and her own destiny as a witch hunter. Rosie doesn't have much time to absorb this information before she has to confront the Memory Thief, the witch who stole her mother's memory on the night of Rosie's birth. Anderson skillfully applies this layer of magic to a relatable story of growing up and coming into one's own. The dynamic between Rosie and Germ rings true in both its reliability and its newly felt strain, and Anderson's malevolent witches are truly unsettling. First in the Thirteen Witches series, this expertly crafted story thrums with magic, love, and tense action, and it's a sure bet for Joseph Delaney or Kelly Barnhill fans.