The Best Witch in Paris (Lauren Crozier, Text)

Lauren Crozier won the 2023 Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing for her middle-grade novel The Best Witch in Paris. With a charm reminiscent of Jill Murphy’s Worst Witch series, the story follows Luna, a young witch raised by three aunts, who is only sometimes good at magic. When Luna finally gets her familiar—a boobook owl—from a mysterious bird seller in the Lost Forest, questions arise about Luna’s origin and abilities, and where the owl actually came from. Crozier has crafted a big story about found family, courage and resilience—with humour to cut through the tensions of early adolescence and self-discovery. Although the text contains a sizable and demanding vocabulary for middle-grade readers (‘discombobulating’ appearing on the first page), it remains inviting at a structural level, with snappy sentences conveying clear emotions, motivations and actions. The Best Witch in Paris is a great extension for readers who love Anna Zobel’s Little Gem and sits well with Shivaun Plozza’s A Reluctant Witch’s Guide to Magic. With elements of real-world Melbourne and Paris and magic that isn’t too scary (despite some goblins, ghosts and demons), this is also a comfortable entry into fantasy. Demonstrating the continuing high standard of Text Prize–winning novels for young readers, The Best Witch in Paris is a confident middle-grade debut for readers 8+.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Clare Millar is a writer, editor and children's bookseller. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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