The Magic Circle — Donna Jo Napoli

If she keeps far enough away from humans, perhaps she won't be forced to hurt them.
 
Deep in the woods lives the old witch called Ugly One. All she wants is to forget -- the she was once a loving mother and a healer, blessed and powerful within her magic circle, and not a witch, claimed by the devils. Then one day she hears the footsteps she dreads. Then real voices -- children's voices. The Ugly One longs to take care of sturdy, sensible Gretel and her young brother Hansel. They are such good children, such delicious, beautiful children. But demons' voices scream in her head: “Eat them!” How can she? . . . How can she not?
 
“A brilliantly conceived and beautifully executed novel.” -- School Library Journal, starred review
 
“A work of great strength and powerful emotion, written with immediacy and intensity, filled with beauty and terror and pervading sense of compassion that must touch young and old.” -- Lloyd Alexander
 
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year