Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by American author Grady Hendrix is a thought-provoking young adult fiction drawn from family history.
As the novel opens it is 1970. Fifteen-year-old Neva Craven from Alabama is being driven by her father to St. Augustine, Florida. She is six months pregnant and on her way to Wellwood House, a home for unwed pregnant teens called “Wayward Girls.”
Upon her arrival she meets stern Ms Wellwood and soon realises she is there to give birth in secrecy, abandoned by her family who are ashamed of her. Neva is told she must change her name to Fern and not share any information about herself, nor will she ever see her baby.
The girls range in age from fourteen to eighteen. Fern meets Zinnia, who loves playing the piano and dreams of returning home to marry her baby’s father, Holly who barely whispers a word, and Rose, a hippie who has a rebellious streak and the loudest of the group.
Fern meets Ms. Parcae the librarian and is given a book How to Be a Groovy Witch. As the girls begin to experiment with witchcraft strange events start happening. Will they be able to formulate a spell for their freedom or will the cost of magic be too high?
This book is a skilfully plotted tale that will have readers emotionally hooked and excited from the opening page. The writing is engaging, insightful, and crisp with vivid descriptions. The dialogues are beautifully written as the words enrich the characters, enhance the conflict, and move the plot forward.
Character development seems to be one of Hendrix’s fortes and one of the book’s stronger aspects. They are complex with deep psychological and emotional layers for readers to navigate. My heart broke for Fern, Holly, Rose, and Zinnia, their stories held so much sorrow and heartache. The girls must have felt so unloved hidden away keptobscured from the family secret.
Ms Wellwood and Doctor Vincent are easy to dislike, their ugliness towards the girls is atrocious but it was great to see a change when the witchcraft made its appearance. Whilst the witch element may feel out of place it is a wonderful addition. I enjoyed the grimoires amongst the chapters, which included instructions for performing spells, rituals, and visualizations.
The description of Wellwood House is awful. You can feel the solemn interior and the walls groaning with sadness. The mission’s atmosphere is that of a prison, every waking moment of the girl’s stay is controlled by staff from what chores they are allocated, their food, and to whom they talk.
I appreciate the way Grady Hendrix shares with readers this story is inspired by learning that two of his relatives became pregnant and were sent away when they were teenagers. It was never talked about, but there were close to two hundred homes across North America for decades and millions of girls were hidden in them to have their children.
Despite its length, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a fantastically woven novel that surpassed my expectations in both the quality of writing and how engrossing it is. I highly recommend it.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club members are reading Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix. You can read their comments below or add your own review.
My love of books started at a very young age. My mum has always been a reader and encouraged me to read, buying me endless book from classic fairy tales advancing to the world of Enid Blyton, CS Lewis, Louisa May Alcott, Kathryn Kenny, Carolyn Keene, Francine Pascal. In my adult years the list of authors is endless and every room in my house is filled with books.
One of my favourite novels is Narnia which has always has a special place in my heart. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 1978 and when I was given this book to read it let me escape to another world where I felt like I was in the book with all the characters, it wasfun and exciting to escape from reality and eased the ups and downs of the disease at such a young age.
In books nothing is impossible and there is endless potential and hundreds of places to explore or being taken to places that are only made up from the authors’ great minds, the past and future to navigate, characters lives you step into taking you on an emotional rollercoaster ride or being scared out of your wits. I can experience things that I can’t in real life because they’re not possible or real. It challenges my perspective and mindset expanding my worldview.
I find joy, comfort and peace with books, many people may not get it, but I know bookworms like me truly understand. Reading makes my heart happy.
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix is a horror story, but not the type that will leave you scared of the dark, jumping at strange noises and leaving all the lights.
I went into the story a little concerned as tend to avoid the horror genre, however, this story drew me in. It was told with empathy, understanding and a smattering of the occult, which when mixed together became a very moving experience.
The story is centred around a home for unwed mothers, a “librarian” who shares the power of witchcraft and anonymous girls who strive to bring their power back. What made it truly horrifying was not the witchcraft but the fact that these homes truly existed, resulting in millions of babies being separated from “unsuitable“ mothers.
I found the inclusion of aspects of the culture of the time, like brand names and radio shows, was so American specific that I was left questioning the what and why rather than the focussing on the story being told.
This is definitely a story I’ll be sharing, not just as it’s a great read, but also so others gain an understanding of what has happened in the past.
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix (Nightfire publisher) is a hugely compelling but heart breaking story. Particularly so when you realise that it was not that long ago that many unwed pregnant girls were shamed and treated in the ways depicted in this book.
The story centers around four pregnant teens – Fern, Rose, Zinnia, and young Holly whose families have whisked them away to Wellwood House, to have their babies in secrecy and disgrace.
At this home for “wayward girls” everything they do – what they eat, what they are named, what they talk about is controlled. They are young and vulnerable and completely ignorant of what they are going through, but they are given no information and are treated as less than human. Alone and utterly helpless they are at the mercy of adults who claim they know what’s best for them and who promise that if they give up their babies for adoption they can return to their lives as if nothing happened…
The girls slowly bond as they fight to survive in the stifling environment of Wellwood House. And when Fern meets a librarian who gives her a book about spells and witchcraft, it is at first a fun diversion for the girls. However, when, much to the amazement of the girls the spells begin to work, it quickly becomes a way for them to take back some control over their lives… or is it just another way for their vulnerability to be manipulated…?
This is a well written novel with a powerful and realistic portrayal of the way unwed pregnant girls were once treated. I must admit that because of the graphic physical and emotionally vulnerable descriptions of pregnancy and birth, I was quite surprised to discover that the author is a childless male!! What an empathetic person to have understood and depicted the plight of these defenseless young girls so well.
I was initially hesitant to pick up this book, but I’m truly glad I did—it completely captivated me with its blend of dark humor, raw emotion, and intriguing witchcraft elements. Grady Hendrix’s Witchcraft for Wayward Girls defies the conventions of typical horror; instead of relying solely on jump scares, it offers a thought-provoking narrative that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page.
The story follows four pregnant teenagers living in Wellwood House, where every aspect of their lives is tightly controlled by adults. It’s a powerful and poignant portrayal of the historical treatment of unwed mothers, exposing the heartbreaking loss of autonomy experienced by these young women.
Matters take an unexpected turn when a librarian introduces the girls to a book on witchcraft. What begins as a welcome distraction gradually transforms into a tool for reclaiming control over their lives—even as it prompts deeper questions about manipulation and vulnerability. Hendrix’s skillful inclusion of period-specific details, such as familiar brand names and radio shows, effectively transports the reader back to that era, enriching the narrative with authenticity.
Overall, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is far more than a horror story. It’s a compelling fusion of historical injustice and supernatural empowerment that not only entertains but also invites reflection on the resilience of the human spirit. If you’re looking for a book that’s as intellectually engaging as it is emotionally stirring, this one is well worth your time.
Neva was unwed, a teenager and pregnant. These things separately are not an issue, but together, they made her a disappointment to her family and something to hide. Florida, her dad was taking her to Florida, and he wasn’t happy, communication broke down ages ago. The house they finally arrived at was isolated, daunting and full of girls like herself.
No longer Neva, she was renamed “Fern” in an attempt to maintain anonymity. She was provided hand me down maternity clothes, her eating controlled – no sugar, no salt, and liver shakes when her iron was low. The doctor poked and prodded and tested her. The councilor insisted her life after would be able to return to normal once she gave up her child. She had to do chores, despite her state of gestation. But one thing was for sure, they were wrong, after staying at Wellwood House, the house for Wayward girls, nothing would ever be the same.
The girls bonded, they exchanged stories of their circumstance, they fought the authority in the house. Little did they know that a book would lead to a world of witchcraft, of bringing into their lives the darker side, the power and fear. As if being a pregnant teen was not enough, their lives will change, forever.
Part drama, part thriller, part feel good bonding, this was a really good read. Something different to other reads, I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you to Grady Hendrix for the adventure in the wierd and wacky.
Witchcraft For Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix is a well written page turner. I don’t usually read horror but I enjoyed this book very much.
The story centres on 15 year old, pregnant Neva who is sent to Wellwood home for Wayward Girls to keep her shameful secret just that – a secret. Thee she is renamed Fern (no stories from their real lives are allowed) and meets Holly, Zinnia and Rose. Their life in Wellwood House is completely controlled.
When Fern is given a book on witchcraft by a librarian the girls soon discover some of the spells come true and they gain some much longed for control over their lives.
With well written characters and a story line that hooks you from the start this is a great read.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace, Grady Hendrix and Nightfire Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix is an interesting novel about young girls experimenting with witchcraft while navigating society’s harsh judgement. Unmarried and pregnant, they are sent away in secret to a home where, after giving birth, their babies are taken from them, allowing them to return to society as if nothing had happened.
I particularly enjoyed reading about the development of each character. Fern, Holly, Rose and Zinnia’s stories were heartbreaking as they felt unloved and endured sorrow and loss, hidden away like unwanted family secrets.
Wellwood House itself is described in haunting detail. It seemed like a prison, with the girls subjected to strict routines, daily chores and rigid control over what they could eat.
The inclusion of spell and ritual instructions within the chapters added a fascinating element to the novel.
This novel was both compelling and deeply moving. The writing is of exceptional quality, keeping me engrossed until the very last page. I highly recommend it.
Thank you Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read “Witchcraft for Wayward girls” by Author Grady Hendrix.
I thoroughly loved this book. The book encapsulated the plights of unwed Mothers from bygone era and the complexities of female characters so well, that I forgot it wasn’t first hand experience, but that of a story written by a male.
A little bit if a slow build up of the lives of young girls Holly, Rose, Zinnia and Fern in an unwed Mother’s group home who are strictly controlled until the main protagonist Fern discovers an occult book on witchcraft given to her by a librarian, and suddenly empowering the girls for the first time and what ensued from there.
The Author’s ability to write and portray female characters so raw and so authentically truly astounds me as a woman who has experienced childbirth etc.
Although this book had ‘horror’ elements and witchcraft, it wasn’t traditional horror perse, having just one traditional horror part. The true horror depicted was the horrendous treatment of the young, unwed pregnant girls. One could be mistaken for thinking the horror would come from the supernatural and Witches, however it was shuddering to think of the realities of young girls, pregnant, abandoned and the horrific way they were being medically tortured, it’s a chilling and heartbreaking depiction of childbirth.
I particularly liked the portrayal and complexities of each character portrayed. It was very easy to immerse yourself in the plight of the characters and it wasn’t hard to immerse yourself in the plight of each girl.
This book will stay with me for a long time and I highly recommend it.