The Claiborne Elementary Files Book 2: The Witch of Broken Fingers Forest by Kip Keith is a brilliant mystery for children. We are transported to Clairborne Elementary school and meet four friends who study there—Boomer, Zap, Dot, and Carla. They are having a strange day. First, on the way to the school, Boomer sees a witch flying on her broomstick above the Broken Fingers Forest. At lunch, the friends notice that the bread they are served is weird. And when the school’s principal summons all the students to the gym for an assembly, ghosts rise from cracks in the floor, and a witch flies into the gym. Suspecting that the witch is Miss Good, the school’s custodian, the friends decide to investigate. What will they discover?

Reading The Witch of Broken Fingers Forest made me feel like a child again. I liked the catchy chapter titles and arty illustrations. I also liked how this story both entertains and educates. Kip Keith built into this suspenseful, immersive mystery the must-know values and rules for children, such as the need for parental permission to stay late and the inclusion of a wheelchair-bound child in the important project, not only on par with healthy children but as the key person for the mission to succeed. But most of all, I enjoyed the investigation by Dot and her friends, as it demonstrated teamwork at its best and taught patience and problem-solving. This story is a great family read for both children and their parents to enjoy!

In The Witch of Broken Fingers Forest, Kip Keith's second book in The Claiborne Elementary series, the school hides more than creaking floors and flickering lights. Boomer, Zap, Dot, and Carla notice strange events: shadows that seem alive, a sudden chill in the hallways, and glimpses of a witch who moves faster than anyone can follow. Lunch becomes a source of unease as unusual ingredients raise questions, and a sinister figure works unseen in the cafeteria. Guided by Miss Good, whose life connects to an infamous history, the four friends investigate evidence left behind in the gym and the school kitchen, uncovering links between the forest, the school, and a series of mysterious phenomena. Their discoveries push them into daring action as the boundary between the ordinary and the supernatural narrows sharply.

The Witch of Broken Fingers Forest by Kip Keith is a thrilling and imaginative read that delights at every turn. Beyond the school, Boomer, Zap, Dot, and Carla venture into the shadowy Broken Fingers Forest, where gnarled trees and twisting paths create an atmosphere so textured that we can almost feel it. Miss Good’s cottage stands at the heart of the forest, and my daughter and I had fun “looking” at the curious jars, dried plants, and strange seeds, all of which work their way into the children’s investigation. The characters themselves stand independently with their own personalities. My favorites are Carla’s sass and quick comebacks while zooming down corridors in her wheelchair, and Dot's insistence on following a scientific method while her friends are impatiently charging into situations. Overall, this is a wonderful story, and I look forward to seeing where Keith takes us next. Very highly recommended.

Under the gigantic walls of Claiborne Elementary, a sinister plan was in the works, courtesy of He, She, and Mr. Moloch. This plan involved a mean experiment on the pupils of Claiborne Elementary, which made She sick to the stomach, but the plan had to be executed. On the bus ride to school one morning, Boomer, a pupil of Claiborne Elementary, noticed a scary and unusual sight in the Broken Fingers forest—a witch hunched over a broomstick, her tattered black robe billowing. Her eyes locked onto his, her lips stretched into a wide grin, and she raised a bony finger at him. Then, she vanished. Boomer sensed that his sighting was a premonition, but he was short of words to explain what he witnessed to his friends, Dot, Zap, and Clara. The Claiborne Elementary Files, Book 2: The Witch of Broken Fingers Forest by Kip Keith follows the group as they attempt to save Claiborne Elementary (again) from the clutches of its iniquitous leaders.

The Claiborne Elementary Files, Book 2: The Witch of Broken Fingers Forest by Kip Keith is an interesting children’s novella that spans several genres, including mystery, adventure, and science fiction. The story progressed quickly with short chapters, and I liked this pacing because I believe it is ideal for the intended audience. The characters were the highlight of this story for me. I liked the characters' unique personalities and amusing names, like Principal Principle. I also liked the vocabulary and believe young readers can learn new words from it. Although this is the second installment in the series, I read it as a standalone and understood the story very well.

The Witch of Broken Fingers Forest by Kip Keith follows four friends—Boomer, Zap, Dot, and Carla—who are students at Claiborne Elementary. When Boomer spots a witch flying through the nearby forest, strange events begin to unfold: ghostly figures, unexplained disappearances, and mysterious happenings around the school. The group sets out to uncover the truth, suspecting the school’s creepy custodian, Miss Good, but their search takes them deeper than they ever expected. Each clue pulls them further into a web of secrets buried beneath Claiborne’s crumbling walls, where science, superstition, and fear seem to collide. What starts as a spooky mystery soon becomes a thrilling adventure about courage, curiosity, and uncovering what hides behind the impossible. Blending mystery, suspense, and humour, the story ends with a striking revelation that hints at even greater dangers to come in The Claiborne Elementary Files series.  

Kip Keith’s The Witch of Broken Fingers Forest stands out for its clever blend of horror and science, wrapped in an accessible middle-grade tone. The world-building is sharp; Claiborne Elementary feels both believable and deliciously eerie, with just enough detail to hook readers without bogging them down. The friendship between Boomer and his friends gives the story warmth and humor, balancing the darker moments. The Salem witch trials tie-in through Miss Good adds emotional depth, showing how fear and misunderstanding can echo across generations. The pacing keeps readers engaged, with escalating tension leading to an inventive twist that redefines what “witchcraft” means in this story. The hand-drawn caricatures and sketches sprinkled throughout the novel add personality and depth, making each character distinct and amplifying the cinematic energy. The title is significant because it captures both the setting and the illusion at the heart of the story. The writing is cinematic, the atmosphere vivid, and the ending promises more intrigue. Perfect for readers who enjoy Goosebumps, Stranger Things, or mysteries with a scientific twist. It earns its stars for smart storytelling, creative twists, and a world that’s both spooky and fun to explore.