Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom

Jazzy the Witch #1

by Jessixa Bagley

“Whimsy abounds in this playful” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) middle grade graphic novel about a young witch who struggles to fit in—perfect for fans of The Okay Witch and Hooky!

In her town full of witches, Jazzy’s always been a little bit different. She’s not excited about magic. She forgets the steps to spells. And even though her parents run the town’s broom shop, she doesn’t want to fly.

Then, one day, she discovers what she was born to do: cycling! Now she just has to find a way to get a bicycle…and learn how to ride it. But will her new passion come between her and her best friend—and possibly get her in big trouble?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Comics

232 pages, Hardcover

First published July 15, 2025

Reviews

[Amaris ✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved!!!

[Lyon.Brit.andthebookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Jessixa Bagley’s picture books and was so excited to get an advanced ecopy of her latest graphic novel releasing this summer… Jazzy The Witch In Broom Doom.

Just as darling as the cover appears this is a very cute with a dash of spooky graphic novel…That I already know my girls are going to be obsessed with. Follow Jazzy as she learns to fly a broom… or does she? She has until the New Moon to learn and with a new passion for cycling her time is preoccupied. With a meddling familiar bat, a friend who immediately takes to flying and a house full of incredible witch ladies… Will Jazzy be able to pull off the unthinkable and actually fly a broomstick?

The backmatter is absolutely awesome and has inspired a future homeschool lesson for this coming October! I can’t wait for this book to release and see what other adventures we take with Jazzy.

Thank you @simonkids 📖

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute and sweet story for kids. Fun Halloween witchy theme and a sweet moral to the story about being yourself and finding your own passion even if it’s different and not being afraid to make changes to antiquated traditions.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun and cute! I can't wait for more in the series

[Artemis Crescent · Rating 4 out of 5]

On my quest - far from a sojourn and more a lifelong journey - to find every witchy piece of media, especially graphic novels, I eventually stumbled across the 2025 children's comic, 'Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom' by Jessixa Bagley.

It isn't as childish and inane as it looks. It is one of the better witch comics, and a sure, wholehearted recommendation.

It is a cute, funny, energetic, inspirational, and lovable kids' book. To go by the art and the magical witchy-ness, it is like Jill Thompson's 'Scary Godmother' and 'Magic Trixie', but better because it has POC and LBGTQ+ lead characters.

It is about a young school witch named Jazzy, whose two mums and granny run a broom-making and selling business, but she can't ride a broom, and it doesn't feel right to her. Because it is tradition that every witch rides a broom, and it is a big part of being a witch, Jazzy feels discouraged, lost, and empty, and disconnected from her magic. Therefore she feels maybe she isn't a witch after all.

Until she discovers her passion - bike riding! Cycling!

But bikes aren't magic. They are mundane and belong to the world of non-magic folk. Jazzy is scared of what others might think of her, even though bikes make her ecstatically happy.

How will other witches, including her traditional, broom riding and making family, react when they find out Jazzy prefers bikes over brooms?

Is there a way to combine the two modes of transportation?

'Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom' is a sweet, hilarious, truly magical and creative, and life-affirming tale that is ultimately about becoming a pioneer for your community, and breaking tradition when it is needed, and done for unselfish reasons, for the benefit of yourself and other people.

Jazzy has a lovely family and family dynamic, and her bat familiar, Fiona, is very, very, very funny.

There's a hysterical talking purple bat named Fiona, who has a sort of friendly rivalry with a cat named Cassie, in 'Jazzy the Witch'. It's just one of the many things that makes it worth the price of admission.

Madame Melcha, a cool, pink haired teacher and principal (is she the only teacher at the Enchantra School of Craft?), is a fun character, too.

However, I have to comment on the one real negative in the graphic novel:

The friendship aspect.

Jazzy's relationship with her "best friend", Aggie, is rubbish, bordering on toxic, and not the fun slime and fungi and warty kind. Aggie starts out okay, if moody, impatient and closeminded, as she does help out Jazzy with her bike-making. But like everyone else, she expects Jazzy to ride a broom and uphold tradition, and she has the gall to accuse her of bike obsession and being a bad friend when she herself is so obsessed with the witch life that she doesn't see or care that it is harming her friend. Aggie does terrible things like cast a silencing spell on Jazzy (played entirely for laughs) and shut her out and refuse to help her friend in need when she thinks she is insulting witchery as a whole, because Jazzy dared to think differently. What a horrible, judgemental, inconsiderate hypocrite.

Not helping matters is Aggie is white and Jazzy is Black, and the comic sympathises with Aggie too much.

She does apologise to Jazzy at the end for insulting bikes, but typically not before Jazzy apologises to her first. Both girls learn that everybody gets to be their own kind of witch, and they are young and are going to make mistakes along the way.

Their "friendship" still left a slight mucky taste in my mouth overall.

But apart from that, 'Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom' is among the cutest witch stories ever! It is like 'Kiki's Delivery Service', 'The Worst Witch', and 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch', but again, with POC and LBGTQ+ elements. It is like 'Jupiter Nettle' and 'The Okay Witch' - not nearly as good as the latter, but still good!

What a rare revelation for a witch story to point out how uncomfortable broom riding must be! The only other one I can think of is the manga 'Flying Witch'.

Wait, why do the witches in 'Jazzy the Witch' need brooms when they can teleport with a poof!?

Oh, but another positive: Practically no male characters! Though it is said that anyone of any gender can be a witch.

In addition, you learn quite a bit about witchery, such as besoms and broom-making, and about cycling and its history in this comic.

Witches, and witches who are different and helpful and revolutionary, let's go!

Final Score: 4/5

P.S. Another similarity is the children's picture book 'Once Upon a Witch's Broom' by Beatrice Blue. It has an exceptionally better friendship theme.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed from a paper ARC.

This fun beginning chapter graphic novel was created by the author/illustrator of Duel and is full of slapstick humor and friendship.

In seven chapters that follow the moon's phases from new moon to new moon, Jazzy has to learn how to ride a broomstick for Flying Day. The problem is, it is frustrated at her inability to ride one, even though her two moms and grandmother make and sell all the witch brooms in their community. She is watching TV (an old-fashioned tube TV with rabbit ear antenna) when she discovers her true passion: bicycle racing/cycling. She puts off training on her broomstick by reading books about cycling from the local library. Her friendship with BFF Aggie nearly goes over the ledge as they argue about her focus on cycling rather than riding the broomstick. Jazzy's familiar, a bat named Fiona, badgers her to alert her family that she cannot fly on her broomstick for the big parade. She finally owns up to this with surprising results.

Backmatter in the book include 2 pages of instructions to make your own beson (witch's broom) and 2 of how to make spore prints (both mentioned in the story), a 2-page comic short story of Cassie and Fiona in a stare-down, and a sneak peek of pages from the next book in the series.

Bagley's story will grab young readers and hold them with this broom ride. Jazzy is a likeable girl who is still learning who she is, something many kids in grade school struggle with. Her feelings are real, as is her friendship with Aggie; it is normal for friends to disagree, then make up as if nothing had happened. The text is light with many moments of humor. I especially enjoyed when Aggie looks up a spell in her "enspellopedia". I thought it a nice touch to see the two moms reminisce about jumping the broom during their wedding. The banter from Fiona to Jazzy is a riot and gets funnier when he is swiping at Aggie's Cat Cassie. What makes this particular series special? Something that has been missing in literature for this age group: the core family is Black and Jazzy's family is multi-generational female.

Full color art samples in the ARC make heavy use of black and purple, very appropriate for witches. Pops of yellow and blue add zing to the art. Layout makes reading this graphic novel straightforward.

Communities/schools that frown on stories about witches should note that this book includes the text of the girls casting spells.

Great for beginning readers and graphic novel lovers alike! Recommended for grades 1-4.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witchy drama hits middle school halls with broomsticks, magic, and a bicycle.

Jazzy isn't sure what to do. While every part of her and her family are witch, she can't seem to do anything right. Not only is this affecting her grades at school, but now, she has to ride a broom. It's clear that's going to be a disaster, but worse yet, her family makes the brooms for generations! She's even going to inherit the business someday. Try as she might, her and brooms don't get along...kind of like the rest of her magic. Then, she discovers something called a bicycle, and things are really going to go crazy.

This is an adorable read about finding your own groove and not, necessarily, following that of others. Jazzy is a determined little witch with a likeable bat at her side. She tries her best to make everyone happy but can't seem to do anything right, which frustrates and makes things worse. Her growing frustration is understandable, but she still tries to find a way, which leads to the bicycle. She does have a best friend, which supports her to a certain degree....there's some important friendship messaging along the way, too. After all, no friendship runs smoothly all of the time. And there's her family, which is as supportive as supportive can be...with two moms and a granny. Yet, Jazzy doesn't want to disappoint them, and that's understandable, too.

I'd recommend this one to the lower end of the age group, since the story is straight forward and pretty playful. I'd almost slide it into the chapter book area, but it is a little longer thanks to Jazzy's attempts to deal with her friendships and learning to be herself. It holds humor high, but also doesn't neglect the underlying message. Jazzy's determination really shines through and inspires, and it's easy to root for her. As an action girl, though, I did find myself skimming some moments. Still, drama fans will enjoy every moment and sink in. The illustrations are bright and bold, and bring across the characters and scenes nicely. They let the story flow.

The message is clear and one readers never seem to hear enough about, but this one took a twist which surprised...and made me wonder since it has her, actually, not sticking to her own beat the whole way through. Instead, it finds middle ground, which works too.

It's a cute read, which is sure to delight more than a few witch and humor fans. There's definitely more than enough room for many fun adventures in the future. I giving this one 3.5 and rounding up.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle grade librarians are always in search of new graphic novels for their voracious readers of the format and this series opener will fit nicely into the GN collections of many. Jessixa Bailey (author of graphic novel DUEL) introduces kids in grades 3-6 to a witch-filled town and features young Jazzy who is not entirely sure she fits very well into her family of broom and magic-makers.

Jazzy and her best friend Aggie attend Enchantra School of Craft and today their group is getting their first taste of broom-flying. Aggie takes to it right away, but Jazzy doesn’t feel the vibrations teacher Madam Melcha says they should feel and certainly doesn’t get off the ground. Her classmates are buzzing with excitement and all seem to feel very passionately about honing their potion-making, spell-casting and other witchy activities. Down-hearted Jazzy wonders if she’ll ever find the something that makes her heart race like everyone else in town seems to have but while flipping channels on the television that very afternoon, she is drawn into the broadcast of a competitive biking event and begins to feel a tingle that tells her she has found her joy. With Aggie’s help, the pair scour the dump for all the necessary parts, create a working bicycle and with a dedication missing from her magical studies, Jazzy practices til she’s zooming down the road on two wheels feeling an excitement she doubted would ever happen. But a special moon phase is coming and to help celebrate, there will be a parade featuring the new, young flyers and Jazzy’s two moms and grandmother keep talking about their family heritage of flying and creation of the brooms to do it and her chance to demonstrate that she is following the path towards taking over the broom shop. Can she keep her new found zeal for biking a secret or should she share it and subsequently demonstrate the ones she loves most?

Bagley’s book includes a positive message about individuality as well as sharing your truth and being a good friend. Humor is mixed into the story and the messages, often done using the familiars of both girls, namely, a bat named Fiona and Cassandra the cat. Jazzy’s family, two moms and a grandmother, is shown to be supportive of their daughter and providing a positive atmosphere filled with love and opportunities to grow. The graphic panels are well-drawn, help elaborate on the dialogue and provide all sorts of additional details, making this the kind of graphic novel sure to be popular with the target age group.

Thanks for the print arc, Simon & Schuster.

[Steff Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom by Jessixa Bagley didn’t quite hit the mark for me personally, but I do think it’s a solid offering for its intended audience. The art style is fantastic—fun, expressive, and absolutely perfect for middle grade readers. It really enhances the overall feel of the book and helps carry the story. I can say, without question, that this will be the sort of book I’d recommend for my students and very specifically for those with ADHD.

The message at the heart of this one is a good one: find your passion and let that guide you toward success. It’s a meritorious and encouraging takeaway, especially for younger readers still figuring out who they are and what they love, especially among the unspoken family pressures that young kids can sometimes feel, even when they’re not necessarily there—which leads me to absolutely adore when the book subtly encourages readers to express these emotions to their parents.

I also couldn’t help but recognizing some ADHD traits in Jazzy and the conflict she faces, specifically traits that, while sometimes a recipe for brilliance, can often cause struggles for kids. Whether intentional or not, her hyper-focus on something she enjoys, her difficulty maintaining interest in other activities—like flying a broom—especially when they are difficult, and the way it unintentionally impacts her relationship with her best friend all felt incredibly familiar and realistic. It’s a nuanced portrayal that a lot of kids will likely see themselves in, even if the label and diagnosis is never explicitly used.

The resolution to her conflict is simple, sure, but it’s thoughtful and accessible, which is exactly what it needs to be.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Gemma Inigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Charming Tale of Old Brooms and New Tricks ★★★★☆

Jessixa Bagley's Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom is a delightful and beautifully illustrated story that captures a feeling every child can understand: the bittersweet pull between a beloved old belonging and a shiny new replacement. Jazzy the witch adores her old broom, Bessie. It's comfortable, reliable, and full of memories, but it's also falling apart. When her moms surprise her with a sleek, super-fast new model, Jazzy must navigate the excitement of the new and her loyalty to the old.

The true magic of this book lies in its relatable theme and Bagley's wonderfully expressive artwork. The illustrations are warm and whimsical, perfectly capturing Jazzy's joy, frustration, and eventual understanding. The story provides a fantastic starting point for conversations with young children about appreciating what they have, the allure of new things, and the idea that "newer" doesn't always mean "better." The representation of Jazzy's two loving moms is also a welcome and heartwarming touch.

While the story is heartwarming and its message is clear, the plot follows a fairly predictable path. The resolution feels a bit tidy and comes about rather quickly, which, while satisfying for a young audience, misses a chance to explore the more complex emotions of the situation a little more deeply.

Despite this minor point, Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom is a resounding success. It's a book brimming with heart and a valuable lesson about treasuring the things—and brooms—we love, flaws and all. A highly recommended addition to any child's bookshelf, especially for a cozy autumn read-aloud.

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jazzy is a young witch who comes from a family of broom makers but she has difficulty flying a broom and magic doesn't come so easily to her. While everyone seems passionate about being a witch she hasn't found that passion yet. Bored with potions and broomsticks she discovers cycling and falls in love. After running to the library and reading every book on bicycles she can get her hands on, she decides to build one herself. Suddenly magic starts to come a little easier as she uses it to hide her new passion from her family.

Overall it's a story about coming into your own and finding what makes you happy. How everyone can be their own kind of person regardless of what society says.

The author takes elements from various witch lore's and combines them together using both ancestral magic, femininity, and witches connection to nature as inspiration.

The casual LGBT rep here is great with Jazzy having two mothers and no explanation being given nor it being harped upon. She lives with both moms and her granny in a very female oriented town.

The best friend character Aggie was annoying. She's obsessed with being a witch and upholding witch traditions so she doesn't understand how Jazzy feels out of place and not quite connected to her magic. When Jazzy gets more into biking the friend becomes irritated and very unfriendly towards her. Though an apology is given later on it's not until after Jazzy apologies. And it was a bit of a weird dynamic since Aggie is white and Jazzy is Black.

Overall this book has the right dose of creepy and spooky paired alongside a great message.

I received a copy of this book from Simon & Schuster

3.5

[Our Weekend Is Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom by Jessixa Bagley is a charming graphic novel that promotes self-love and staying true to oneself. Jazzy is a witch who struggles with one of the most basic witch expectations: flying a broom. To make matters worse, her parents run the broom store in town and can't wait to see her in the school broom parade. When Jazzy sees a cycling race on TV, she feels like she has found her passion and goes on to build and learn to ride a bike.
What I Liked: I really enjoyed the message about staying true to who you are and having the confidence to share that with the world. At the end of the book, Jazzy has a difficult conversation with her family, letting them know about her struggle with riding a broom. The way her family was so supportive of her and helped her customize a broom to her needs was touching. I enjoyed all the characters in the book, but Jazzy's friend Aggie and her bat Fiona added some comedic relief. The illustrations set the tone for the book, and I love the use of "witchy" colors like purple, gray, black, and green throughout.

Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom is a heartwarming graphic novel about the power of family support and the courage to follow your own path.

This review first appeared on YA Books Central and can be found here: https://yabookscentral.com/jazzy-the-...

[Alyssa | Lyssi's Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom flips the usual “magical outsider” trope on its head. In Jazzy's world, magic is the everyday norm, and it’s the non-magical skill of cycling that Jazzy longs for. This reversed perspective makes the story feel fresh and imaginative, adding humor and heart to Jazzy’s journey.

I loved how each chapter begins with the current moon phase, subtly tracking the passage of time while grounding the story in witchy world-building. The illustrations are warm and expressive, and there’s an impressive attention to detail, like what I’m pretty sure is a girl with a hearing aid in the shop toward the end. Little touches like that deepen the diversity already woven throughout the book, making the world feel authentically inclusive.

The ending bonus of DIY activities, including how to make your own besom and mushroom print, was such a delightful surprise, encouraging readers to bring a bit of Jazzy’s world into their own lives. Overall, it’s a charming, creative read that celebrates following your passions, embracing your differences, and noticing the magic in everyday things.

[Madelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This graphic novel was so fun and absolutely precious! Jazzy doesn’t feel like a real witch and doesn’t believe in herself. While finding her own way into her own hobbies, she finds that she loves cycling! I loved getting to see her progression of finding herself in both cycling and witchery. There’s a lot of humor and diversity throughout, which I really enjoyed. Definitely recommend this one! It comes out 7/15/25.

The graphics were great, and I loved seeing the story come to life! Excited to read the next volume whenever it releases! Perfect for all ages.

[Leonie · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom” is fun graphic novel about finding your true calling.

I really liked Jazzy’s character — brave, kind, and easy to cheer for.

One thing I loved about the book is that Jazzy has two moms. It’s great to see more stories with queer rep, especially in children’s fiction.

The story is all about Jazzy figuring out that she doesn’t want to be a typical witch like everyone expects her to. Instead, she wants to be a cyclist.

Overall, this was a solid read with a positive message, I would definitely recommend it for kids.


Thank you to the publisher for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this adorable middle-grade fantasy graphic novel, Jazzy has to decide if she wants to follow the path her family has made for her (making and flying on broomsticks) or to find a passion of her own (bicycles!). This full color story is sweet, playful, and whimsical. Jazzy is a girl of color (own voices), raised by two loving mothers and an awesome grandmother, with supportive friends and familiars. Full of humor and charm, this witchy story is sure to delight readers this spooky season.

I received and ARC from Simon & Schuster at ALA Annual 2025. Thanks Simon & Schuster!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this middle-grade graphic novel! I think many kids will be able to connect with this book, whether for its fun witchy world or the main character's antics. Jazzy's struggles with learning how to fly and the expectations of those around her will be relatable to lots of kids, especially anyone struggling in school. She's a very lovable gal and I hope to be able to add this title to my school library! Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this early graphic novel, Jazzy and her bat get into a number of scrapes with her magic, but are supported by her Granny Titch and mother. This reminded me a bit of Glovach's Little Witch series, or 1970s Ruth Chew titles. Lerner's Welcome to Scare School, Punset and Vicedo's Unicornia: Learning to Fly or Owen's Lumber-Jackula. From the author of Duel.

[Ashli Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars — a cozy, charming fall read!
Jazzy’s not your typical witch, and that’s what makes her story so special.

Sweet, funny, and beautifully illustrated, this story about finding your own path (even when it looks different from everyone else’s) is pure fall magic.


A heartwarming graphic novel about finding your own magic in an unexpected way. I loved every page!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute middle grade graphic novel about finding ways that work for you. Jazzy is a witch who just cannot figure out how to ride a broom but she does happen to love riding a bicycle, except that's frowned upon. she has to learn how to merge her two worlds and find a way to use her magic that fits all her interests.

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is fun, with a lesson learned, but not too didactic. Jazzy and her family are fun and sweet to each other, and the pets are a nice humourous break. Short and illustrated, so great for young and reluctant readers.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute fast read. LGBTQ+ representation, I really liked the incorporation of beliefs that use brooms & Besoms and what their meanings and significance are. I enjoyed the overall story of being true to yourself.

[Kaitlyn (ktxx22) Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely adorable middle-grade graphic novel! Perfect for spooky season and one I will be readily recommending to my teacher friends and my friends with kids in elementary school! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is cute. The illustrations are great and the life lesson is well communicated. But the story is too long and too repetitious making it boring. Half the length would have been more fitting.

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really great -- cute story and protagonists, love the strong Black female heritage, love the message of being true to yourself. Excellent messages about how to be a good friend as well, and a lot of fun, purple-forward art.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in galley. Fun story of being true to oneself.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC from Netgalley.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute easy read GN about a witch who tries to learn how to fly, and finds that she prefers bike riding instead. I liked the artwork and the story will appeal to kids who like witchy stuff.