Unfamiliar Magic

Twelve-year-old Desi and her mother are witches who have always hidden their magical abilities, moving from place to place for reasons that her mother won't share. When Desi's mother is forced to confront a powerful magician who has designs on Desi, she leaves her daughter in the care of the family cat (who she first transforms into a teenage girl) to ensure her safety. Desi feels hurt by the abandonment, but decides it's a perfect opportunity to teach herself forbidden magic, in the process discovering the dangers in practicing it with an unskilled hand. In her mother's absence, Desi finds comfort in her friendships with charmingly oblivious Jarrett and with "Cat," whose feline-turned-teen incarnation results in some funny mishaps (she surprises Jarrett's shy older brother by pouncing through his window one morning). Predictably, family secrets are revealed in a conclusion that hints at Desi's destiny, but despite familiar tropes, younger readers seeking a Harry Potter-like heroine should enjoy debut author Alexander's mix of magic and tween conflict. Ages 10–14. (Apr.)