Dugan (Garden Witchery: Magick from the Ground Up) has been practicing witchcraft for 17 years and has three teenagers. Her experience in both these undertakings shines in this solid, forthright primer. Most notable and praiseworthy are her many cautions to impressionable young people: "Love spells that target a specific person are a really bad idea. Now, you may magick yourself to seem more appealing and attractive.... Spells that call for you to have more confidence and poise are great too." Dugan stresses that clothes, jewelry and gear are not essential to magick. She prefers to emphasize ethics, accentuating that the Craft centers around positive personal power that is enhanced and harnessed by working with the forces of the natural world. The book is filled with real-life stories that teens can relate to, and the tone is friendly but not condescending. Dugan covers necessary points such as the four elements, explained in part by explicit guided meditations. There are also useful chapters on yearly observances and circlecasting. Dugan's gardening expertise comes into play in a thorough chapter on flowers and trees, more than is found in other similar works. In the chapter on tools she provides teens many affordable and safe alternatives to traditional supplies (e.g., a staff instead of the athame, a short double-sided blade). Interested teens will enjoy this primer, and involved parents should feel at ease with the overall tone and treatment. (May)
