Witchlings is truly superb middle grades fantasy. The world creation was easy to jump into but detailed and grew as the book went on. I fell in love with our main character, Seven, a young witchling waiting to be placed in a coven. 

Unfortunately Seven is not selected for a coven and becomes a “spare,” so get magic will be forever limited. Unsatisfied with this future, Seven decides to request the impossible task. It has only been requested three times in the last 500 years. Along with two other spares, Seven begins a journey to defeat the Nightbeast. 

This book is absolutely wonderful, I hope this series well continue. If you are looking for a substitute for HP and she who shall not be named, this might be it. There is a big emphasis on equality and defying gender roles and such positive messaging in this book, it will make parents and kids happy.