Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 2^-4. Adapted from Low's story, first published in 1978, this I Can Read Chapter Book will appeal because of its subject matter and nonthreatening watercolor illustrations. Readers will root for Wendy, the youngest of three witch sisters, who fears her more powerful older sisters and underappreciates her own witchcraft. On Halloween night, abandoned by her callous sisters, Wendy meets Roger, a neighborhood boy, who gives her a new broomstick and then admires her considerable witching skills. Along the way, she builds confidence and a friendship, learning the real strength of her own power and personality. As readers expect, Wendy's older sisters get taught a lesson, too. --Kathy Broderick
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-Wendy, a young witch, is told by her older sisters that she can't cackle well or cast strong spells. When she loses her broomstick, they refuse to take her along on Halloween night. Later, when a trick-or-treater knocks on her door, he convinces her to join him. Roger and his mother give Wendy their old kitchen broomstick and she realizes that she does have witch magic, after all. She uses her newfound abilities to take revenge on two boys who exclude Roger from their Halloween fun, scaring them so badly that they run away crying. She also casts spells on her sisters so they fall out of the sky and have to walk home. Children may deduce from this story that it's okay to take revenge on unsuspecting people. Though Wendy does eventually restore her sisters' powers, she never apologizes to them. The illustrations reflect the action of the story but don't enhance it. A secondary purchase at best.-Laura Santoro, Coventry Library, Cleveland Heights, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Wendy learns that even though she is the youngest witch in her family she has enough magic power to get the better of her older sisters. Low has made slight changes to simplify the text and re-format it to attract young readers. The new illustrations are cheerful and clear, though some may find it harder to warm up to Manning's green, warty witches with all their spikes and sharp lines. From HORN BOOK Spring 2000, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
