TL;DR: Hooky is a massive hit that started as a digital comic on the Webtoon app and has since become a bestselling graphic novel trilogy. It follows twin witches Dani and Dorian who miss the bus to magic school and accidentally become outlaws. It’s perfect for fans of Harry Potter or The Owl House, but be warned: it starts cute and whimsical and ends with some pretty heavy themes regarding war, trauma, and political intrigue. Best for ages 10-14.
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If you’ve walked into a Barnes & Noble or a Scholastic Book Fair lately, you’ve seen the covers: bright, saturated colors, two kids in witch hats, and a title that sounds like they’re just skipping class.
Hooky by Míriam Bonastre Tur is a "Webtoon-to-Print" success story. It originally ran as a weekly digital comic where readers would scroll vertically on their phones to follow the story. Because of its massive popularity—we’re talking hundreds of millions of views—it was adapted into three thick graphic novels.
The premise is simple: Dani and Dorian Wytte are twins from a prestigious family of powerful (and somewhat elitist) witches. They miss the bus to the magic Academy. Fearing their parents' reaction, they try to find a private tutor, but instead, they get tangled up in a burgeoning war between humans and witches.
There’s a specific "vibe" to Hooky that hits the sweet spot for Gen Alpha and younger Gen Z. It’s not just about the magic; it’s about the found family.
- The "Failure" Narrative: Unlike many "chosen one" stories, Dani and Dorian start as literal school-bus-missing failures. Kids who feel the pressure of grades and expectations relate to characters who are just trying to figure it out on the fly.
- The Art Style: It has a "Cute but Deadly" aesthetic. The characters look like they belong in a Studio Ghibli film, but the stakes are very real.
- The Romance: As the series progresses, there are "slow-burn" romantic subplots that aren't cringey or overly adult, but provide that "shipping" fuel that keeps kids engaged in fandoms.
- The Evolution: The characters actually age. Over the three volumes, you see them grow from soft-edged kids into battle-worn teenagers. It’s a literal coming-of-age story that mirrors the reader's own transition from elementary to middle school.
Learn more about why "Found Family" is such a popular trope in kids' media
This is where the Screenwise perspective comes in. Your kid might be reading Hooky on their phone via the Webtoon app.
Webtoon is the "TikTok of comics." It uses an infinite scroll format that is designed to keep users engaged for hours. While reading is great, the digital version of Hooky includes music, sound effects, and comment sections that can sometimes be a bit... much. The comment sections on Webtoon are generally moderated, but they can be a rabbit hole of spoilers and teen drama.
My recommendation? Buy the physical books. The print versions of Hooky Volume 1, Volume 2, and Volume 3 are hefty. They look great on a shelf, and they provide a much-needed "analog" break from the blue light. Plus, the pacing feels better when you aren't just flicking your thumb upward at 100mph.
While the art looks "all ages," the content matures significantly.
- Ages 8-9: Might enjoy the first half of the first book, but the political themes and the "witch hunts" might get a little dark or confusing.
- Ages 10-12 (The Sweet Spot): This is the target demographic. They’ll appreciate the humor, the awkward crushes, and the rebellion against "the system."
- Ages 13+: Still very readable, though they might move on to slightly more mature Webtoons like Lore Olympus or Heartstopper.
Content to be Aware Of:
- Violence: There are battles, injuries, and some character deaths. It’s not "Game of Thrones" level, but it’s heavier than The Dragon Prince.
- Themes of Prejudice: The core conflict is a race/class war between "non-magical" people and witches. It deals with concepts of radicalization and systemic hatred.
- LGBTQ+ Representation: The series features diverse characters and some same-sex attraction/relationships, handled with the same "cute-romance" lens as the heterosexual ones.
Let’s be real: some graphic novels are "brain rot"—low-effort art with no plot. Hooky is not that. Míriam Bonastre Tur is a legitimate storyteller.
However, the middle of the series (Volume 2) can drag a bit. It gets bogged down in "who likes who" and some political maneuvering that might make your kid put the book down for a week. But the payoff in Volume 3 is genuinely emotional and well-earned.
If your kid is currently obsessed with Roblox or Minecraft and you're trying to pivot them back to literacy, Hooky is a fantastic "bridge" book. It feels like a show, it moves like a game, but it's a 400-page reading win.
If your kid has already blitzed through all three volumes, here are some Screenwise-approved next steps:
This is the closest TV equivalent. A human girl ends up in a magical realm, learns from a "wild" witch, and deals with a corrupt magical government. It’s funny, diverse, and has a very similar "found family" vibe.
If they loved the "learning magic" aspect and the gorgeous art, this manga series is a masterpiece. It’s a bit more "whimsical" but has deep world-building.
Whether they read the Nimona book or watch the Nimona movie on Netflix, this story about a shapeshifting "villain" and a disgraced knight hits many of the same emotional beats as Hooky.
The gold standard for "kids caught in a war they didn't start." If they haven't seen this yet, it's the logical progression from Hooky.
You don't need to read the whole thing to have a conversation (though you might actually enjoy it). Try these "pickup lane" questions:
- "If you missed the bus to a magic school, would you try to find a tutor or just stay home and play Fortnite?"
- "Dani and Dorian have very different ways of handling magic. Which one are you more like?"
- "The King in the story seems to think all witches are bad. Do you think characters like Dani can change people's minds, or is the conflict too big for them to fix?"
Hooky is a high-quality, engaging, and emotionally resonant series. It’s "safe" for the 10-14 age range while still being sophisticated enough to respect their intelligence.
If you want to support their interest while keeping an eye on digital wellness, buy the physical books. It turns a "digital scroll" habit into a "reading on the couch" habit, and in 2026, we take those wins wherever we can get them.
- Check their phone: See if they have the Webtoon app and if they've set up any "Daily Pass" limits.
- Library run: Most local libraries now carry the Hooky graphic novels because they are so popular.
- Screenwise Survey: If you're wondering how Hooky fits into your family's overall digital balance, take our 5-minute survey to get a personalized breakdown of your family's media habits.