How to Start Reading Claribel A. Ortega's Books
Claribel A. Ortega has established herself as one of the most exciting voices in modern middle-grade and young adult fantasy. Rooted deeply in Dominican-American culture and Dominican folklore, her books blend magical realism, spooky elements, and heartfelt family stories. Depending on what you enjoy reading, there are three great ways to start:
- For serialized magic and world-building: Start with Witchlings (2022). It is her premier fantasy series about a town of young witches facing magical trials, sorting ceremonies, and deep-seated systemic injustices.
- For a spooky standalone adventure: Start with Ghost Squad (2020). Inspired by Ghostbusters, The Goonies, and Dominican family folklore, this fast-paced book features ghostly ancestors and malicious spirits.
- For a quick, award-winning graphic novel: Start with Frizzy (2022). Illustrated by Rose Bousamra, this graphic novel focuses on natural hair pride, familial relationships, and self-acceptance.
The Witchlings Series Reading Order
The Witchlings books are set in the magical town of Ravenskill, where young witches undergo the Black Moon Ceremony to be placed into prestigious covens. Those who are left out are called "Spares"—and our protagonists must band together to prove their worth. For this series, it is highly recommended to read the books in order of publication, as the plot builds sequentially from one installment to the next.
1. Witchlings (2022)
We meet Seven Salazar, a young witch who is hoping to be placed in the powerful Hyacinth coven. Instead, she becomes a Spare alongside two other girls, Valley Pepperhorn and Thorn LaCroix. To secure their magic and place in the community, the three must invoke the impossible task: defeating the monstrous Nightbeast. This book establishes the rules of magic, the politics of Ravenskill, and the bond of the three main characters.
1.5. "The Warmest Winter" (2023)
This is a special short story set between the first and second novels. Centering on Valley Pepperhorn, it was originally distributed to readers via the author's newsletter for Valentine's Day in 2023 and later formatted as a short ebook. While not strictly necessary to understand the main plot of the sequels, it offers wonderful character depth for Valley fans.
2. Witchlings: The Golden Frog Games (2023)
Following their victory against the Nightbeast, Seven, Valley, and Thorn return in a sequel centered around the legendary Golden Frog Games. Seven becomes the town's Champion, but the pressure is immense as a dark threat looms over the games, testing the girls' friendship and magical abilities under the public eye.
3. Witchlings: House of Elephants (2024)
In the third volume, the stakes grow even higher. A terrifying hex begins turning young witches in Ravenskill to stone. Seven and her friends must hunt for a cure while navigating the secrets of the town's history and the dark legacy of its founders.
4. Witchlings: Scepter of Memories (2025)
The fourth major installment picks up after the events of House of Elephants. The core group continues to deal with the fallout of the stone-turning hex and the mysterious forces that threaten to dismantle the fragile peace of their magical society.
5. Witchlings: The Sea Witch Prophecy (Expected September 2026)
Scheduled for publication in late 2026, the fifth book in the saga is set to expand the magical geography of the series, sending the characters into new waters as they confront ancient prophecies and new maritime dangers.
Standalone Novels and Collaborations
If you prefer self-contained stories, Ortega has written excellent standalone novels and co-authored books that explore a mix of magic, technology, and real-world issues.
Ghost Squad (2020)
Ortega's debut novel is a love letter to 1980s pop culture movies and Dominican ghost stories. It follows Lucely Luna, who discovers her ghostly ancestors—who take the form of fireflies—are in danger. When she and her best friend Syd accidentally awaken a dark, ancient evil, they must team up with Syd's witchy grandmother and a chunky cat named Chunk to save St. Augustine from a spiritual takeover.
Frizzy (2022)
This middle-grade graphic novel, illustrated by Rose Bousamra, won the prestigious Pura Belpré Award and an Eisner Award. It centers on Marlene, a Dominican girl who struggles with her family's obsession with straightening her "bad hair." Over the course of the story, Marlene learns to embrace her beautiful natural curls and challenges the generational beauty standards pushed upon her by her mother and society.
The Girl and the Robot (2025)
Co-authored with Emmy-winning writer and director Oz Rodriguez, this light science-fiction novel follows Mimi Perez, a Brooklyn girl who helps run her mother's electronics repair shop. When a rogue robot from space crashes into the shop, Mimi works to repair it, hide it from federal agents, and help it reunite with its family, all while competing in a local robotics tournament.
Anthologies and Short Fiction
Ortega has contributed stories to several notable collections that highlight Latine folklore, fantasy, and horror:
- "Killing El Chivo" in Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms & Space (2022): Edited by Zoraida Córdova, this young adult anthology features Ortega's short story, which blends space-faring sci-fi with Dominican cultural references.
- "The Other Side of the Mountains" in Our Shadows Have Claws: 15 Latin American Monster Stories (2022): Co-edited by Ortega and Yamile Saied Méndez, this anthology explores folklore and mythological monsters. Ortega's contribution showcases her ability to write spookier, atmosphere-driven Latine horror.
- Marvel Comics Contributions: Ortega has also written for Marvel, contributing short stories to the anthology comic series Marvel's Voices: Community, celebrating Latine heroes in the Marvel Universe.
What to Know Before You Start
While Ortega writes primarily for middle-grade readers (ages 8 to 12), her themes of community, systemic oppression, self-acceptance, and grief make her stories engaging for readers of all ages. You do not need to read her standalone books in any particular order; you can pick up Ghost Squad, Frizzy, or The Girl and the Robot whenever you like. However, you should strictly read the Witchlings series in publication order to appreciate the development of the characters and the evolving political landscape of Ravenskill.