Moonlight Mischief (Witch-in-Training)

‘Two dandelion clocks and a hair from the tail of a big red fox’ is how Friel opens this brew. For those children (and I find this tends to be more girls than boys) who enjoy their witches, the ‘Witch-in-Training’ series can do no wrong. Short chapters, highly illustrated, frenetic action, zany descriptions, and dialogue that shout at the reader (count the capital letters and exclamation marks!), these are the ingredients of this seventh fantastical adventure.

Aficionados will need no reminding that on Jessica’s tenth birthday she discovers that she is a witch. With Miss Strega as her teacher, and a broomstick to fly, Jessica is ready to begin her training. As Moonlight Mischief begins, Jessica and Miss Strega receive a letter from Witches World Wide: an invitation to The Extraordinary Moonlight Games, to be held at Coven Garden to celebrate the Blue Moon. Fun, games, spills, spells and brews tumble out at a bewildering pace, culminating in the intriguing disappearance of President Shar Pintake. Jessica saves the day and is duly awarded the Dame Walpurga Medal for Extraordinary Witch of the Games. On the final page Jessica and her trainer ride off on their broomsticks, not into any ordinary sunset, but in a race to a Moon-Vault. A breathless read for junior age children who enjoy immersion in this genre of magic and invention.