The students in class 6B become nervous when their teacher receives an anonymous note claiming someone in the room is a witch. For in this society, witches are outlawed, whether they are good or bad. In fact, witches are burned at the stake, because that's the law. Since nobody really wants to be burned at the stake, each student is desperate to prove somebody else is the guilty party. As the accusations fly, only the great enchanter Chrestomanci can root out the truth. With an irresistible blend of magic and humor, Witch Week is sure to be enjoyed by children of all ages.
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"It all started when I tried to read a book about Palestine and it was entirely too dry for the exhausted state I'm in (I teach - nuff said) so I pulled this from my shelf. Diana Wynne Jones is 'that' author for me. She's the one I crawl to whenever I need a comfort read and Witch Week was no different. She throws you right into the action in class 6B where someone is accused of being a witch.. a dangerous accusation in a world where they burn witches and those suspected of being a witch. All the kids in Larwood orphanage are witch orphans so they suspect each other, yet which among them is a witch? DWJ does an excellent job of creating her characters as they are all flawed in some way and as you read this or any other of her other Chrestomanci series books, you can't help but notice the uncanny parallels with Harry Potter, almost to the point where you could easily claim that JK Rowling pulled a majority of her stuff from DWJ. I'm so sad that DWJ passed away earlier this year... her positive impact on both the genre of children's fantasy literature and my own life is indisputable."
— Sara (4 out of 5 stars)
" I like this novel a lot more than The Magicians of Caprona, but I do think it drags a bit in places. It really picks up when Chrestomanci shows up near the end, though. "
— Jessie, 1/22/2014" I read this book for a seventh grade book report, and I've been killing myself trying to remember the title, and i finally did! I should probably reread it because i seriously don't remember a thing... "
— Vicki, 1/20/2014" What an absolutely charming and compelling book. Wish I'd read this as a child, but still a cracking read as an adult, much more coherent and well-characterised than That Other Book About Wizards. "
— Delilah, 1/17/2014" Didn't like this one as well, in fact was not liking it much, until the end. Redeemed herself then. "
— Kristen, 1/14/2014" This book reminded me of days when I was young and would snuggle under the covers and read whilst the wind and rain battered against the windows. It reminded me of the days when my son was younger and we would all sit together at night whilst one of us read a story aloud. It reminded me of times when I needed a best friend and found it in a well loved book. Diana Wynne Jones has created a book that I know I will return to again. It's a book full of humour, interesting characters and a story line that makes you want to keep reading. Witch Week is a book for anybody who wants an escape from reality, gentle humour and an easy, engaging read. "
— Terrie, 1/14/2014" This book certainly held my attention, and there were a lot of interesting developments along the way. Also, unlike The Magicians of Caprona I have a pretty good idea of who Chrestomanci is (Christopher Chant). However, I wasn't too keen on the ending. "
— John, 1/14/2014" Another fun one in the Chrestomanci series. "
— Christopher, 12/30/2013" Confusing at first, but I got it in the end. "
— Warren, 12/16/2013" have I ever mentioned that Diana Wynne Jones is the best ever? Well, she is. "
— C., 12/9/2013" #4 Guy Fawkes fault! "
— Helen, 11/3/2013" Another one of my childhood favorites. As if adolescence didn't offer enough problems, some of the children at this boarding school are witches - and witchcraft is illegal. Clever and hilarious, I would be willing to read this again as an adult. "
— Felicia, 7/14/2013" Great fun, like all Diana Wynne Jones. This is a little darker than most. All too realistic portrayal of the evil narrow-minded beliefs cause. "
— Margaret, 4/7/2013" It was a quick read, interesting and funny. Well done characters and interactions, and an unexpected plot resolution. I really enjoyed it. "
— Beth, 3/24/2013" I love this book. There are parts that just never fail to make me laugh. "
— S.N.Arly, 2/19/2013" The wonderful thing about Wynne Jones and this series, is how different the stories are. This one is a boarding school farce, a delight to read. "
— Kaethe, 11/23/2012" This third book of the series was the hardest to get into for me - the characters were not as appealing or easy to read as the previous two. "
— Danielle, 9/10/2012" This is such a good book, depicting a climate of fear and how horrific school can be so so well. Especially loved the character definitions of 'real boys/girls'. "
— Janine, 8/12/2012" I read this book when I was about nine. I don't remember much about it except that I loved it and stayed up,secretly, far past my bedtime to finish it! "
— Rosemary, 7/20/2012" Again, probably really a 3 1/2 star book for me. It was recommended by a friend or I'd probably have never picked up this book. A quick and fun read. I enjoyed the story and the characters, not particularly deep, but has some food for thought about prejudices, changing the world, loyalty, etc. "
— Jenifer, 7/9/2012" everyone in this book was horrid. "
— keri., 3/5/2012" This book seems to lag a little bit in the series, but still enjoyable. "
— inkdaemon, 12/8/2011" I read this book while searching for a witch book that I read as a child. I don't think this was the book, but it was an entertaining and quick read, none-the-less. "
— Kayla, 10/22/2011" A little slow starting but it picked up and I enjoyed it. Chrestomanci is a Enchanter, and the name is a title not a given name. "
— Vance, 5/11/2011" I read this years ago, as a kid. Will re-read soon. <br/> <br/>I remember even at the age of 11, ripping through this volume in less than a day. How? Iunno. Pick it up and find out. "
— Matthew, 4/17/2011" Fun and interesting. A very imaginative set of tales. I'm never sure which story I enjoy more from this one as they both have their own merits. "
— Amber, 4/11/2011" I was frustrated by the apparent stupidity of both of the characters, they should have been able to figure things out, but the books were fun and engaging, and very imaginative. "
— Vicki, 1/27/2011" Among the best fantasy I've ever read. "
— Lady, 1/20/2011" I liked these books a lot. I found this one at a yard sale and was so taken with the otherworldlyness of them that I bought the next two of them "
— Kathy, 1/10/2011" This was undoubtedly well written and had interesting characters, but I felt like it lacked something to make it as compelling and exciting as my favorite books are. When it ended, I was left feeling a little depressed. "
— Riannon, 12/4/2010" Really interesting read. But I was never ready to leave the story, I was always left craving more. "
— Cristi, 11/24/2010" This book was one of my favorites of Diana's! "
— Micah, 11/20/2010Diana Wynne Jones (1934–2011) was an internationally bestselling British fantasy author. She was best known for her children’s books but also wrote anthologies, short stories, and nonfiction works for both children and adults. She has won numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement, the Guardian Award for Children’s Books, and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award. She has also been a runner-up for the British Carnegie Medal twice. A number of her novels have been adapted into movies, both for the big screen and for television. Her book Howl’s Moving Castle was made into a Japanese animated movie by filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. Among her most well-known works are the Chrestomanci series, the Derkholm series, and The Tough Guide to Fantasyland, which won the Hugo Award for Nonfiction.
Gerard Doyle, a seasoned audio narrator, he has been awarded dozens of AudioFile Earphones Awards, was named a Best Voice in Young Adult Fiction in 2008, and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. He was born of Irish parents and raised and educated in England. In Great Britain he has enjoyed an extensive career in both television and repertory theater and toured nationally and internationally with the English Shakespeare Company. He has appeared in London’s West End in the gritty musical The Hired Man. In America he has appeared on Broadway in The Weir and on television in New York Undercover and Law & Order. He has taught drama at Ross School for the several years.