Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom

by Jessixa Bagley, Jessixa Bagley (Illustrator)

Overview

“Whimsy abounds in this playful” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) middle grade graphic novel about a young witch who struggles to fit in—perfect for fans of The Okay Witch and Hooky!

In her town full of witches, Jazzy’s always been a little bit different. She’s not excited about magic. She forgets the steps to spells. And even though her parents run the town’s broom shop, she doesn’t want to fly.

Then, one day, she discovers what she was born to do: cycling! Now she just has to find a way to get a bicycle...and learn how to ride it. But will her new passion come between her and her best friend—and possibly get her in big trouble?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665922326
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	07/15/2025
Series:	Jazzy the Witch , #1
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Jessixa Bagley is a children’s book author-illustrator with a background in fine art and comics. She has had work featured in publications such as New American Paintings, Highlights Magazine, The Stranger, and Illustoria Magazine. She’s also the author of the middle grade graphic novels Duel and Dear Jackie (illustrated by Aaron Bagley) and the author-illustrator of the middle grade graphic novel series Jazzy the Witch. Jessixa is a two-time Washington State Book Award recipient; first in 2016 for her debut picture book, Boats for Papa, and again in 2024 for her graphic novel, Duel. Jessixa also received a 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award for picture book Laundry Day. Many of her books are Junior Library Guild Selections. In her work, she’s drawn to animals and emotional themes often inspired by her own experiences. Jessixa also teaches and speaks about writing and illustration. She often illustrates for other writers and artistically collaborates with her husband, Aaron Bagley. Jessixa lives in Seattle with her husband and son.

Jessixa Bagley is a children’s book author-illustrator with a background in fine art and comics. She has had work featured in publications such as New American Paintings, Highlights Magazine, The Stranger, and Illustoria Magazine. She’s also the author of the middle grade graphic novels Duel and Dear Jackie (illustrated by Aaron Bagley) and the author-illustrator of the middle grade graphic novel series Jazzy the Witch. Jessixa is a two-time Washington State Book Award recipient; first in 2016 for her debut picture book, Boats for Papa, and again in 2024 for her graphic novel, Duel. Jessixa also received a 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award for picture book Laundry Day. Many of her books are Junior Library Guild Selections. In her work, she’s drawn to animals and emotional themes often inspired by her own experiences. Jessixa also teaches and speaks about writing and illustration. She often illustrates for other writers and artistically collaborates with her husband, Aaron Bagley. Jessixa lives in Seattle with her husband and son.

Editorial Reviews

★ 04/21/2025

Young witch Jazzy struggles with having confidence in her magical abilities: “Look at all them witches,” Jazzy says, noting a wall of photos showcasing her powerful ancestors, “THEY fit in.” This concern worsens when schoolteacher Madame Melcha announces the day’s lesson: flying. As Jazzy watches her peers successfully mount their brooms, Jazzy—who dangles precariously from her own broom as it haphazardly bends and twirls—feels inadequate. But then she learns of an alternate means of transportation—cycling—and rather than focus on her schoolwork or relationships, she builds a bicycle of her own. Her angst about flying becomes a thing of the past, until Madame Melcha announces that the students will participate in an upcoming flying parade in celebration of the supermoon. As Jazzy continues to founder in her attempts to handle a broom, she worries she’ll never get the hang of this witchy rite of passage. Whimsy abounds in this playful series-opening graphic novel by Bagley (Maurice), relayed in moody, jewel-toned hues and striking shadows. Across a luminous, rhythmically told story, Bagley stages silly scenarios centering an earnest and well-intentioned, occasionally one-track-minded protagonist that perceptively drive home themes of self-confidence, accountability, and embracing one’s flaws and strengths. Characters are depicted with varying skin tones. Ages 8–12. (July)

Publishers Weekly

2025-04-04
Jazzy is the least witchy witch in her entire school.

Jazzy just doesn’t haveit. When Madame Melcha, her teacher, takes the class for their first flying lesson, Jazzy barely leaves the ground. It’s pretty humiliating for a girl whose family runs St. James Besom Co., the local broommakers. Jazzy confides in her familiar, a purple bat named Fiona, that she doesn’t have the “spark for the craft.” But later that evening, Jazzy finds her spark while watching a bike race on television. Cycling begins to occupy all of Jazzy’s time. Her pale-skinned, green-haired friend Aggie encourages her to keep practicing flying and studying spells, but Jazzy doesn’t make the time. Instead, she focuses on cycling—and hides her lack of progress from her family. But will Jazzy learn to fly in time for the upcoming supermoon parade, or will she be outed as a bad witch? In this series opener, readers meet Jazzy, who, along with her two loving mothers and grandmother, presents as Black. Jazzy’s story is lighthearted but still explores deeper themes of being honest and finding your place. This graphic novel features lively, cartoon-style, full-color illustrations that accentuate the characters’ emotions and expressions. The color palette skews toward darker tones of charcoal, purple, and grayish green.

A comical, witchy, and sweetly affirming read. (how to make a besom and spore prints, mini comic, author’s note)(Graphic adventure. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews