Masha was raised by her grandmother, who regaled her with wry stories about outwitting Baba Yaga, but now her grandmother's dead, her insensitive father is getting remarried, and Masha doesn't feel welcome at home anymore. Luckily, she spots Baba Yaga's newspaper ad for an assistant, so she packs up a few enchanted items and sets off to find the witch. Recalling Baba Yaga stories as well as her grandmother's kindness, lonesome Masha cleverly tackles the witch's assignments. But are her wiles t to mention her sneaky, innate magical talents ough to satisfy Baba Yaga's demands? Carroll's dark yet luminous artwork is a perfect match for McCoola's tale, particularly when she illustrates the classic Baba Yaga stories interspersed throughout, which appear in blockier, simplified figures framed by charming folk-art-style designs. Meanwhile, Masha's story is full of eerie shading and delicate detail. Witches are certainly spooky fare, but this Baba Yaga appreciates cunningly creative thinking, and, as Masha discovers, she's surprisingly warmhearted. A perfect match for Deb Lucke's The Lunch Witch (2015).

Gr 4-7 Masha is less than thrilled when her widower father announces he is going to remarry. The last thing she wants is a stepmother and stepsister. All she can think of are the tales her grandmother would tell her, filled with evil stepmothers and the terrible trickster Baba Yaga. With emotions running high and feeling unwanted by her father, Masha decides to respond to the following ad: "ASSISTANT WANTED ASAP: Must have skills in hauling, obeying orders, cooking and cleaning. Magical talent a bonus. Must be good with heights. Enter Baba Yaga's house to apply." Not knowing what to expect, but feeling that nothing can be as bad as her situation at home, she heads into the forest. The events that follow help Masha find the strength to survive and endure Baba Yaga's tests and the courage to face what is waiting back home for her. Upper elementary readers will enjoy how the illustrations create a moody and mysterious creepiness surrounding Baba Yaga. The characters are expressively drawn, adding drama to the story. Masha's tween angst will resonate as she copes with her new family situation. VERDICT This title will find a home with fans of R.L. Stine's "Goosebumps" (Scholastic) and Luke Pearson's "Hilda" graphic novel series (Nobrow). Carol Hirsche, Provo City Library, UT