My Unwilling Witch Goes to Ballet School

August 1, 2009
Gr 3-5-Haggy Aggy would prefer to be human, much to the chagrin of her cat, Rumblewick. She would rather spend her time doing "Othersider" things, like taking ballet, going to gym class, and having sleepovers with friends. Rumblewick does his best to get her to do her witchly duties to please the High Hags and witch society. The books are a diary of his misadventures and near-misses with disaster. Haggy Aggy uses magic to help her pass as human, and the books include a few of her spells to help improve her dance and gymnastic skills. They also have a lot of full-page cartoon illustrations and spot art that will appeal to children, especially reluctant readers. There are a few difficult vocabulary words throughout the texts, but the stories are frothy and funny. Quick, lighthearted reads."Jane Cronkhite, San Jose Public Library, CA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2009
Grades 2-4 Rumblewick, a cat (and a highly qualified witchs familial), records the trials and tribulations he faces when his young charge Hagatha Agatha decides she would rather become a ballerina than a proper witch. Bound by contract and answerable to the High Hag herself, Rumblewick alone is responsible when Hagatha refuses to cackle, prefers the bus to her broomstick, and declines to frighten children. Luckily, Haggys true, diva-like personality reveals itself in a fit of monstrously witchy proportions, scaring all the little, would-be Pvlovas and impressing the High Hag to no end. Prolific and popular UK author Oram (Rubbaduck and Ruby Roo, 2005) offers here a humorous series opener that is sure to please. Warburtons black-line drawings appear on every page, easing a growing readers transition to chapter books while exaggerating the storys over-the-top humor. Appended with a glossary of terms (mostly ballet words), a Witches Charter of Good Practice, and a preview of the upcoming sequel, My Unwilling Witch Sleeps Over.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)