Elizabeth is an only child, new to town, and that can be very lonely. So when she meets Jennifer, a girl from her school - who claims to be a witch no less - she is eager to become her apprentice. Over the course of the next several months, the girls meet on Saturdays for their weekly rituals and read volumes on witchcraft in hopes of developing a flying ointment. But they do not find the best magic in Jennifer's black cauldron.
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"Konigsburg is so wonderful -- this has that same wry, funny, true tone that all her books have -- with just the right combination of knowingness and bewilderment and wonder about the world. Love her illustrations, too."
— Molly (4 out of 5 stars)
" I read this book in 6th grade and loved it "
— Connie, 10/30/2020" Not a fan. I may have liked it as a 4th grader. Then the short sentences wouldn't have bothered me. "
— Kristi, 2/14/2014" Another book for children which I really enjoyed as a teacher. May need to reread. "
— Muriel, 2/5/2014" Besides being addicted to fairy tales, which I've read religiously since I could read (and even before that when I could be read to), this was the very first book that made me want to be a witch. "
— Arlene, 2/5/2014" Fun and frothy, but reminded me of the pain of loneliness that typically others, not me, experience. Empathy's a beast. "
— Mary, 1/31/2014" It is an amazing book "
— Jacob, 1/30/2014" Secret messages, witches, friendship. This is a good one. "
— Courtney, 1/28/2014" Good late gradeschool book about friendship. I realized after a few pages that I read this book back when my daughter was reading it. "
— Lauralee, 1/27/2014" A strange book about strange friendship and childhood fascination with the supernatural. "
— Lia, 1/24/2014" Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley and Me, Elizabeth is a reading experience for me that would be akin to finding an old, well worn toy in the attic; I love to reread it, I think the story is wonderful (mostly because of memories), but this is not something that I would necessarily consider passing on immediately to a young reader-- mostly because of how well worn it is. The story suffers slightly from being a product of its generation. Images of children dressed as cigarette boxes for Halloween and the humor of relatives who eat health foods might creak along in these days of smoke-free zones and Whole Foods. Still, the strange friendship that Konigsburg creates in the story is one that can stand against the dated elements easily. The story is best for readers 8-12, especially those who may be a witch, or are strongly considering taking up the profession. "
— Chris, 1/20/2014" i thought it was just average.... "
— Sitara, 1/18/2014" Maybe I would feel differently had I read this as a child, but I didn't care for this book. "
— Cait, 1/17/2014" This is an oldie but goodie! I loved reading this one to my students around Halloween. Jennifer is a real witch and takes on Elizabeth as an apprentice. "
— Michelle, 1/16/2014" This is a Newberry Honor Book recommended for kids age 9-12. We enjoyed it! "
— Rhonda, 12/29/2013" I thought I would like this book more since I usually love everything Konigsburg writes, but it was just okay. "
— Janet, 12/17/2013" One of my top ten favorite Middle Grade reads of all time. "
— Anna, 12/9/2013" Cute book -- never read this one when I was in elementary school but I know I would've liked it then. Just the right mix of sass and shyness in the main character. A little anti-climactic in that nothing BIG really happened, but otherwise a cute book, as I said before. "
— Audrey, 12/9/2013" One of my beloved books of my youth "
— Maria, 11/19/2013" I LOVED THIS BOOK IT WAS INTERESTING AND PERFECT "
— ness, 9/28/2013" Is Elizabeth's new neighbor really a witch? "
— Wealhtheow, 6/5/2013" I read this so many times :) "
— Linda, 4/24/2013" Currently re-reading would be more accurate, but I am opposed to adding a new shelf on general principle. "
— Lisle, 4/2/2013" This is such a cute, fun story for elementary age kids. Actually, I like reading it myself! "
— Kimberly, 9/2/2012" one of the books I loved when I was in junior high "
— Kathryn, 1/16/2012" Not nearly as good as From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler or The View from Saturday. "
— Jill, 12/2/2011" I remember why I loved Konigsburg's books as a kid. She writes about the ordinary with a little dash of the extraordinary. I actually think this book and Liar & Spy have a similar feel. "
— Alexa, 8/26/2011" A nice easy read about friendship and growing pains. Elizabeth moves to a new town and has a hard time fitting in. She meets Jennifer and a new friendship develops over the course of a year. Elizabeth is a strong character who realizes people aren't always who the pretend to be. "
— Rebecca, 6/15/2011" I really like this author. She really seems to write children's minds well. This is sort of an odd little book, very short, but I did enjoy it. "
— Karen, 6/1/2011" I really enjoyed this book. I found parts of it hilarious. It was an easy, quick read. Themes of friendship, growing up, learning how to interact in social situations, and being happy with who you are. "
— Michelle, 6/1/2011" This was an interesting book. I think I would have liked it a lot more if I had read it when I was younger. "
— Lori, 5/17/2011" It was a pretty good book. My mom finally got me to read it and I am sort of glad she did. "
— Harriet, 5/15/2011" It is an amazing book "
— Jacob, 12/7/2010" Maybe if I had read it in 5th grade. Or maybe I just like A View From Saturday so much that this book doesn't seem as good. Fun idea for a story. "
— Mckinley, 11/24/2010" I read this so many times in my youth that I could probably sit here and recite it to you... word for word for word ... "
— Chrissy, 11/13/2010" This was my favorite book as a kid! I enjoyed reading it again as an adult. "
— Cindy, 11/12/2010" I read this book a long time ago, as a lonely little kid. I loved it so much. I was so jealous of the main characters, and their friendship. "
— Lee, 9/12/2010" Fun and frothy, but reminded me of the pain of loneliness that typically others, not me, experience. Empathy's a beast. "
— Mary, 9/8/2010" One of my top ten favorite Middle Grade reads of all time. "
— Anna, 8/23/2010" Fun YA read (that's all I've been able to get in this summer with kids home and new baby!). I also just read another by this author, a Newberry winner written about 50 years later, and I was surprised with some of the similarities. "
— Mary, 7/20/2010" Yes, I did just read this, even though it is meant for younger readers. It was a quick, easy read. The story was only okay. I was a bit disappointed with the ending. I think I was expecting more since I loved "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankwieler." "
— Ixchelle, 5/10/2010E. L. Konigsburg is the only author to have won the Newbery Medal and be runner-up in the same year. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler won the Newbery Medal in 1968; in the same year, Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth was named a Newbery Honor Book. Almost thirty years later, she won another Newbery Medal for The View From Saturday. She has also written and illustrated three picture books: Samuel Todd’s Book of Great Colors, Samuel Todd’s Book of Great Inventions, and Amy Elizabeth Explores Bloomingdales. She wrote Silent to the Bone in 2000, which was named a New York Times Notable Book and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Konigsburg lives in north Florida.
Carol Jordan Stewart, an award-winning reader, combines her extensive background as a voice talent for audiobooks with her deft sense of delivery, tone, and pacing to illuminate Jackson’s uncommon characters and storytelling artistry.