The Babysitters Coven

July 1, 2019
A fashion-minded babysitter in small-town Kansas discovers her magical powers and the responsibility that comes with them. Seventeen-year-old Esme Pearl can't explain the strange things happening to her until the new girl, Cassandra Heaven, reveals to Esme that they both have powers. The girls bumble their way through beginning spellcasting until Brian, the school football coach, explains that they are Sitters: girls (typically babysitters) predestined to protect humanity from interdimensional monsters. Brian is their mentor, or Counsel. The characters themselves draw the obvious comparison to Buffy the Vampire Slayer ("So basically, we're like Slayers, and you're our Watcher"), but despite basic worldbuilding parallels, the novel misses the mark if it's attempting to fill the cult classic's large shoes. The tongue-in-cheek humor never manages to find a balance with the purportedly high-stakes plot. To debut novelist Williams' credit, much of the humor lands; her unusual descriptions delight (Esme's hands shake "like cold Chihuahuas," while "nice" is "the chicken Caesar wrap of compliments"), as do Esme's and her best friend Janis' daily wardrobe inspirations. However, the explanation behind Esme's powers comes late, and even as the conflict heightens, readers will struggle to buy in. Many secondary characters feel hollow, including Esme's crush (Cassandra's brother, Dion). Esme is presumably white, Cassandra identifies as Mexican, and Janis and Brian are black. Esme may be witty, but when it comes to fulfilling her destiny, Buffy she is not. (Fantasy. 13-17)

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August 2, 2019

Gr 10 Up-For those who loved the clever stories about young girls who babysat and solved problems together, comes a supernatural take on the whole ordeal. This story follows quirky 17-year-old Esme, a seasoned babysitter, her friend Janis, and the new girl, Cassandra. Around the time Cassandra arrives, weird things begin happening to Esme; it's as though she has gained superpowers. The girls soon come together and form a babysitters club, fighting evil one night at a time. Williams has built a witty and evenly paced story filled with magic. She does a nice job of balancing each distinct character with details and purpose that add layers rather than distracting from the main plot. There is a bit of text-speak but it is mostly natural and doesn't interfere with the dialogue. VERDICT Great for those seeking a supernatural, action, and adventure story with of a touch of romance.-Gilly Yildiz, Eisenhower Public Library, Harwood Heights, IL

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 19, 2019
Seventeen-year-old Esme Pearl’s staid life filled with babysitting gigs takes a turn for the weird when she begins to worry she might be causing things to happen with her mind. First a drink spills on a chauvinist classmate; then a ball takes out her bully in gym class. Concerned that she might be losing her grip on reality like her mother, who is in a long-term care facility, Esme tries to ignore the unexplainable incidents. Then new student Cassandra Heaven joins the babysitting club Esme shares with her best friend, Janis, and opens Esme’s mind to a world of magic and witchcraft, shifting her entire understanding of the world and her mother. Witty, sarcastic Esme’s voice is well pitched, whether she’s discussing her desire to be normal or her growing awareness of her heritage and affinity for magic. Williams’s liberal use of slang may cause the novel to date quickly, but together with references to modern politics and pop culture, it grounds the story in the present moment, adding nuance to the premise and deepening connections for contemporary teens. Ages 12–up.

August 1, 2019
Grades 7-10 Esme Pearl? Not the coolest. She has one friend, and her main hobby is babysitting. Everyone else her age may have gotten a real job by now, but Esme likes kids, and the baby�sitters club she started with her best friend helps distract her from the fact that her mom, who had a babysitters club of her own, has been in a mental health facility for years. Then Esme's mostly normal life gets turned inside out by several weird things all at once. The kids she's babysitting report odd sightings of strangers in costume in their rooms at night. New girl Cassandra Heaven, super beautiful, super cool, wants to join Esme's babysitting club for some reason. And, oh yeah, Esme starts experiencing bouts of telekinesis. This debut winks at '90s cult horror films, though Esme fares significantly better than the average babysitter?she's a bit of a Buffy, albeit one you'd trust with kids. A high-energy series starter that's plenty of fun.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)