Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

When I first came across this title, I felt overwhelmed with the number of books involving vampires, werewolves, and witches that had taken over my reading list lately.  While hesitant to read another supernatural book, Once a Witch kept appearing on several blogs' and magazines' "must-read" lists so I gave it a chance. 

Once a Witch follows Tamsin Greene, a seventeen year old girl, who has always felt out of place in her own family.  The Greenes come from a long line of witches where everyone has a special power. Everyone but Tamsin. Her power just never showed up. So while the rest of her family spends time together changing the weather and casting spells, she goes to school and works at her family’s store feeling like an outsider.

Then one day a strange yet handsome man comes to the store asking for her help.  He heard of her family’s special powers and hopes that she can find his missing clock. Tamsin knows she shouldn't help this man, that she should refer him to someone else in the family, but she makes an impulsive decision.  She agrees to find this man's missing clock and prove to herself and her family that she isn't as useless as everyone thinks she is.

As the case of the missing clock unravels Tamsin sets in motion a series of actions that put herself and her family in danger. Now it is up to her to try and stop them. But can she do this without being a witch or will she discover her special power?
 
While reading this book I became absorbed in Tamsin's world, rooting for her to save her family and discover her own special witch power. Once a Witch is a page turning supernatural story full of self discovery and adventure and I am happy I went along for the ride.   

Once a Witch appears on the Stuff for the Teen Age 2010 List.