Kelly Barnhill

Witch's Boy Kelly Barnhill

When Ned and his identical twin brother tumble from their raft into a raging, bewitched river, only Ned survives. Villagers are convinced the wrong boy lived. Sure enough, Ned grows up weak and slow, and stays as much as possible within the safe boundaries of his familys cottage and yard. But when a Bandit King comes to steal the magic that Neds mother, a witch, is meant to protect, its Ned who safeguards the magic and summons the strength to protect his family and community. In the meantime, in another kingdom across the forest that borders Neds village, lives the resourceful and pragmatic daughter of the Bandit King, who is haunted by her mothers last words to her: “The wrong boy will save your life and you will save his. †When Ainés and Neds paths inevitably cross, they must learn to trust each other and make their way through the woods together to return the magic to its resting place and stop a war that is about to boil over.