The Witch of the Dark Wood

A girl seeking answers uncovers an unbelievable world in this spellbinding contemporary gothic novel, perfect for fans of Stranger Things and Wildwood.

When Tilly Dewberry and her father move into Nana Mae’s old farmhouse, Tilly can’t believe Nana Mae is no longer living there. She and her cousin Finn had such wonderful times with Nana Mae, especially listening to her wild stories about the witch who lived in the Dark Wood behind the farm. But Nana Mae has suffered severe memory loss, and she’s now in a nursing home. Tilly doesn’t understand how this could have happened – or what she can do about it. That is, until she finds a key hidden in the old oak tree not far from the Dark Wood. Could this be Tilly’s answer? Has Nana Mae left her a clue?

This spine-tingling middle grade novel from debut author Sarah Van Goethem will captivate readers with its unforgettable characters, eerie gothic setting and plot twists that will keep them guessing to the very end. Fans of adventure and fantasy stories will be compelled by Tilly’s chilling journey into the forbidden Dark Wood, a place that is much darker and stranger than she could have ever imagined. And young readers will be drawn to the story’s themes of environmental activism, friendship and self-discovery.

• Publication date: 1 September 2026
• Page count: 220
• Dimensions: Height 148 mm; Width 217 mm; Thickness 25 mm
• Publisher: Kids Can Press
• Format: Hardback
• ISBN-13: 9781525314131