I picked up this book expecting a clear, frank discussion of Wicca/Witchcraft with a focus on what teens need out of religion and magic. I expected clear instruction on meditation, astrology, tarot, and many other esoteric practices in a conversational manner. I expected to find an open-minded account of my own practice, not dumbed down for idiots, but explained in an easy-to-understand manner.

I didn’t find any of that.

I found author Silver Ravenwolf to be condescending and self-important. The whole book rubbed me the wrong way; I felt that I was being addressed as if I were in elementary school. In her “Introduction Just for Parents” she is sarcastic and belittling when she says, “this is an okay book for your children to read. There’s nothing bad in here,” in bold print. While I agree with her other points that teens will read what they want to read, I also wonder who is she to make that call for other parents?

To be honest, she did explain Pagan holidays, ritual basics, the Cone of Power, the Magick Circle, and some signs and symbols of the Craft. She also included some spell work (Crabby teacher spell, anyone?) that would probably come in handy for a teen. I like that she suggests teens use a divination tool to ask if doing a spell is morally or ethically all right so they don’t make mistakes, and that she is very careful about instructing teens to not do harm to others.

Seeing how Ravenwolf’s “To Ride a Silver Broomstick” was my own introduction to the Craft, I was looking forward to reading this book, but it was a disappointment for me. However, it does clear up some misinformation on Wicca and the practices thereof, albeit in a dramatic, biased, and overbearing way. I would recommend it to questioning kids age 14 who can think for themselves, and up with the caveat that they realize she’s a bit heavy-handed with the self-praise and written towards those a bit younger. ( )

Not a bad book, but definitely geared towards pre-teens/teenagers, and because of that, it was hard for me to concentrate on reading it. Would I let my kids read it? Sure, if they were interested in it. When I was a teen, I was reading adult books and most likely would have passed right by this. ( )

Avoid at all costs.

A terrible, terrible book. Insultingly simple and patronizing. ( )