This book was a complete joy to read. I must say that first, because it’s probably the most important part of this review – the book is great, please get a copy and read it, especially if you have or are or were or love a young woman. It’s a five star read for me.
It’s 1989, and the Danvers Falcons are tired of being one of the worst field hockey teams in their league. Several of the seniors on this team want this year to be the year that they take the championship. At the summer camp that seems to launch the sports season in this town, a member of the Lady Falcons introduces the possibility of witchcraft. These young women are living near Salem, in the seat of the historical witch trials in the 1600s. In fact, Abby Putnam, the wellness-focused all star who co-leads their team, is a descendant of those Putnams. Witches are nothing new to these teenage girls – and they want to win. Names secured in a notebook (with none other than Emilio Estevez on the cover), dirty tube sock torn and tied around each of their arms, they become united in their goal to win, win, win.
And win they do. But not just on the field – each of these Lady Falcons has something else in mind. They are seniors in high school, on the cusp of womanhood, and they want to get closer to who they are meant to be. These women from different backgrounds are all searching for their own femininity, their own control over their bodies. They invest in witchcraft, which is really just to say that they were empowered to be full, complete humans.
The book is funny, and wise, and incredibly touching. I really liked it. I think everyone should read it. AND I think there’s a plot point that merits some debate – might even bring this five star read down to four for some readers. (SPOILER1 in footnote).
Quan Barry had a lot of say about identity and friendship, and she did it with humor and honesty. This book is about the comfort of being fully yourself, without regard for what our society considers good, or proper. Grab your stick, do a little chant, and crack open the pages of this book – signature not required.
I think the relationship between a coach and student was maybe taken a little too lightly, and had an unrealistic positive conclusion). I observed a coach having a “fling” with a student in the 1990s at our high school – that had serious repercussions that truly impacted the life of that young woman and her family, tragically years later.