Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Hooky is one of those WEBTOON-to-print success stories that actually delivers. It's got the magical school vibes kids crave post-Harry Potter, but with a more modern graphic novel aesthetic and episodic pacing that feels native to how kids consume stories today.

The sibling dynamic is genuinely charming, and the 'oh crap, we missed the bus and now we have to figure this out' premise is both relatable and fantastical. Kid reviewers are enthusiastic, parents on Reddit give it the thumbs up, and the 4.7 Amazon rating suggests it's landing well.

The one question mark is that vague 'hate crime' content warning on StoryGraph—without more context, it's hard to know if that's a heavy subplot about magical prejudice or just one uncomfortable scene. Worth previewing if your kid is particularly sensitive, but Common Sense Media didn't flag it as a major concern.

Overall, this is a solid middle-grade graphic novel that hits the sweet spot of magical, fun, and just adventurous enough to feel exciting without being scary. Great for kids who loved Amulet, The Witch Boy, or are aging out of Dog Man but not quite ready for full YA.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media pegs this at 9+, and that feels right. The graphic novel format makes it accessible for younger middle-graders, while the magical adventure and sibling dynamics will keep tweens engaged through age 13 or so. Probably loses appeal for high schoolers unless they're nostalgic WEBTOON fans.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

82

Common Sense Media rates it 9+ with kid reviewers praising its themes of friendship, magic, and family. The story centers on twin siblings navigating magical hijinks with generally positive relationship dynamics. Some battle scenes with magical spells and swords keep it from being perfectly gentle, but the overall tone is warm and age-appropriate for middle-grade readers.

Imaginative

88

A fantastical world of witches, magic school, prophecies, and spells that originated as a beloved WEBTOON comic. The premise of twins scrambling to find a mentor after missing the magic school bus is creative and playful. The graphic novel format with character design by an animation professional suggests strong visual storytelling that invites readers into an immersive magical universe.

Safe

85

Common Sense Media gives it 9+ with Reddit parents confirming nothing graphic or raunchy. Battle scenes involve magical spells and swords but aren't described as gory or traumatic. One StoryGraph review mentions a 'hate crime' content warning, which warrants attention but isn't elaborated on in available sources. Overall, it reads as a safe middle-grade adventure with typical fantasy conflict.

Enriching

76

New York Times bestseller status and strong 4.7 Amazon rating suggest engaging storytelling. Kid reviewers mention themes of friendship and characters that are 'plain fun.' As a graphic novel from WEBTOON, it offers visual literacy development. However, it's primarily entertainment-focused adventure rather than deeply educational or skill-building content. Still, sibling dynamics and navigating consequences of missing school offer relatable growth moments.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

New York Times bestseller with a 4.7 Amazon rating and enthusiastic kid reviews praising the 'adorable' characters and unique magical world
Graphic novel format from a professional animation character designer makes it accessible and visually engaging for reluctant readers
Sibling relationship at the center offers relatable dynamics about family, consequences, and working together through magical mishaps
Originally a beloved WEBTOON comic, so it has that episodic, binge-worthy quality that keeps kids turning pages
Hits the sweet spot of magical adventure without being too scary or too babyish for the tween crowd

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What to Watch For

Battle scenes with magical spells and swords—nothing gory but more action-oriented than cozy slice-of-life
One reviewer flagged a 'hate crime' content warning on StoryGraph without elaboration; worth previewing if your kid is sensitive to prejudice themes
It's a chunky read (described as 'on the long side for middle grade'), so might be better for confident readers or as a read-together
The premise involves kids lying to their parents about missing school—could spark conversations about honesty and consequences

Conversation Starters

"If you could learn magic but had to miss regular school to do it, would you? What would you want to learn first?"
"Dani and Dorian are twins who get into trouble together. How do you think being a twin would change how you handle problems?"
"The twins are trying to hide that they missed the magic school bus from their parents. Have you ever been tempted to hide something you messed up? How did that go?"
"What kind of magical mentor would you want if you were learning magic? What would make someone a good teacher?"
"The story has witches who face prejudice. Why do you think people in stories (and real life) sometimes treat others unfairly because they're different?"

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