What do you think?
Rate this book
The Witch of Turlingham Academy #1
The Witch of Turlingham Academy
It's not easy being the only day girl at Turlingham Academy: Sophie misses out on all the midnight feasts and late night gossip. And when new girl Katy turns up it feels like she's bewitching all of Sophie's friends! Katy's no witch, but there is a witch at Turlingham. Katy comes from a long line of witch hunters whose job is to stop evil magic. Sophie is going to help her - anything to get Katy out of her life and get things back to normal. But what she discovers means nothing will ever be normal again!
244 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2012
18 people are currently reading
447 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 5, 2021
when i was around 10 years old, this book series was my life. Ashton and Sophie were the first couple i ever TRULY shipped. i reread these books more times than i can count.
some of the best MG books around.
i honestly feel like a reread now, as a 16 year old!
some of the best MG books around.
i honestly feel like a reread now, as a 16 year old!
November 25, 2015
This month I enjoyed reading a book called The Witch of Turlingham Academy by Elli Boswell. The story starts in Turlingham Academy. The main character is Sophie and she is the headmistress daughter. Later, in the story she will know that she comes from a line of Witches. At the beginning of the story Sophie went into her mom’s office and found a ring. She took the ring and wore it. Sophie saw her friends and she was so happy to see them because she did not saw them for an entire break. They were so happy that they did a midnight feast and they went to the light house. When they were at the midnight feast they wanted a guy to fall in love with Sophie’s friend Erin. So, they made a joke out of it and tried to cast a spell. When they finished the spell the thunder and lightning started. After that they all went back to their rooms. The next day, a new girl called Katie came to school. Katie was really weird and she did not talk a lot but the girls went to talk to her. Katie and the girls became friends and when they became friends, the girls didn’t even care anymore about Sophie. One day Sophie followed Katie in the night. Sophie found out that Katie was a witch hunter and Katie started to explain to Sophie why she was here. She was here just to hunt the witch like she does in every school she goes to. Sophie started helping her find the witch in this school, so when she found the witch Katie will go out of her life. So Sophie could have her friends back. When they started searching Sophie discovered that she was a witch and she tried to hide it from Katie. Katie’s brother stole her diary and tried to read it in front of the whole school in a party because she did not find the witch. Sophie stopped him with her magic and Katie understood what was happening but she did not say anything to her parents. I think the theme of this book is magic.
The four adjectives to describe Sophie are brave, friendly, caring and generous. I chose brave because she went in the night following Katie and because she continue searching for the witch with Katie even when she knew it was herself. I chose friendly because when Katie was new in the school she started talking to her. I chose caring because she cared about Katie’s feelings when her brother tried to read her dairy to the whole school, so she used her magic to stop him risking her life. I chose generous because she will give anything to anyone that really needs it. What I really liked about Sophie was that she was doing the best that she could to be friend with everybody and be caring for everybody. Sophie treated others respectfully and nicely. I feel this way about Sophie because she went to Katie without hesitating and she was respectful to her.
My favorite part was when the brother of Katie was going to read her diary and Sophie stopped him with her magic. I liked this part of the book because there was a lot of suspense. My least favorite part was when Katie became friend with all of Sophie’s friends and then all her friends forgot about Sophie. I did not like this part because it was really sad that Sophie needed to hang out alone and that nobody cared about her anymore. I would really recommend this book because there was a lot of suspense and action in a way. I think 6th and 7th graders would enjoy reading this book if they like stories about magic.
The four adjectives to describe Sophie are brave, friendly, caring and generous. I chose brave because she went in the night following Katie and because she continue searching for the witch with Katie even when she knew it was herself. I chose friendly because when Katie was new in the school she started talking to her. I chose caring because she cared about Katie’s feelings when her brother tried to read her dairy to the whole school, so she used her magic to stop him risking her life. I chose generous because she will give anything to anyone that really needs it. What I really liked about Sophie was that she was doing the best that she could to be friend with everybody and be caring for everybody. Sophie treated others respectfully and nicely. I feel this way about Sophie because she went to Katie without hesitating and she was respectful to her.
My favorite part was when the brother of Katie was going to read her diary and Sophie stopped him with her magic. I liked this part of the book because there was a lot of suspense. My least favorite part was when Katie became friend with all of Sophie’s friends and then all her friends forgot about Sophie. I did not like this part because it was really sad that Sophie needed to hang out alone and that nobody cared about her anymore. I would really recommend this book because there was a lot of suspense and action in a way. I think 6th and 7th graders would enjoy reading this book if they like stories about magic.
September 3, 2024
10 years later and I still think this may be the most underrated book I have ever read. It’s so fun and magical and just perfect for pre-teens who love magic. I still remember seeing this for the first time on the shelf in my year 5 or 6 classroom. I’d been looking for something new to read and was drawn to this book. After I finished it, I spent hours searching for something similar, something that would make me truly believe in magic. The rainbow magic books had been feeling too similar and boring for a while but this series reignited my passion for reading and led me to an obsession with fantasy fiction that has lasted to adulthood. I now fill my days with complex political fantasies, sci-fi fantasies, and more, but I will always come back to simple reads such as this on occasion.
September 4, 2020
I’m after rereading this and I’m starting to think it’s not as good as I thought b4 but still love it!!
U must read this series rlly gets ya to start liking witches!!
U must read this series rlly gets ya to start liking witches!!
June 7, 2013
Malé milé čarodějné s internátní školou. Trochu nablbé, ale vlastně roztomile. Jak už jsem psala, jestli vám nebo mladší ségře sedla Počertěná, tohle je v podobném duchu :) A těšte se na českou obálku, fakt jo!
Read
April 9, 2023girl this series like saved my childhood
June 23, 2022
Great book. I re-read this book many times.
February 21, 2020
I enjoyed reading this. It's about a witch and it's about school but it's not Harry Potter or the Worst Witch. I felt though that it has a bit of an identity crisis. The interest in boys makes it a little adolescent but the witch and school tropes make it more junior school But then what would I know? I'm old enough to be a granny!
June 16, 2021
Cute story about how friendship can be found in the unlikeliest of places and the strangest circumstances. Overall well-written with fun quips and entertaining dialogue, this is a story about witches that is a lot more approachable and less based around magic and the supernatural than one is used to.
September 1, 2024
Bought this book, when i was i think teen and never read it. I finally checked it out and its suprisingly nice read. Not a must, but the plot is suprisingly fluent for the age category its meant for. Of course there are some questionable things in story, like the family history of main character. Some points i even related to MC, especially in her age.
Summary: Nice read.
Summary: Nice read.
October 18, 2017
i loved it. Though its a a children book, fantasizing about magic being real but i since i am a fan of magic, i dont mind reading it.
January 4, 2018
this book was amazing and i really want sophie and ashton to get together
April 6, 2020
<3.5 stars
Okay so maybe the half star is for the nostalgia and because I forgot what happens....RTC
Okay so maybe the half star is for the nostalgia and because I forgot what happens....RTC
October 29, 2020
I read this book when i was ten and loved it, I read it again now five years later and I enjoyed it, maybe not as much as then but it is a good, easy read and it got me out of a reading slump.
November 3, 2020
I can't seem to download a book
November 23, 2024
❤️❤️❤️
August 26, 2025
i was OBSESSED with this series as a kid. especially sophie and ashton😭
May 3, 2012
The Witch of Turlingham Academy is a cute, easy read aimed at tweens. So the target audience is between 8-12, nevertheless as a 17 year old i still enjoyed it. I won this book recently and after reading a few heavy and complex books i wanted something that i could breeze through without difficulty so i choose this. Despite the young target audience, older readers can enjoy this book too. This book although has a simple story line, but the adventure is present from start till finish. Leaving all readers wanting to hear more of Sophie's adventures.
The book follows Sophie, the daughter of the headmistress of Turlingham Academy, as she goes back for a new term. Before the term has even officially begun she's in trouble. It seems everywhere she goes trouble follows. We join Sophie and her group of friends for midnight gossips and discussing crushes. When new girl Katy suddenly turns up at school, Sophie immediately thinks she's hiding something. While Sophie has newly developed problems of her own, she has to get to the bottom of Katy's secret and in the mean time discover her own.
Sophie was different to a normal character aimed at tweens. Sophie wasn't afraid to break the rules, she's tough. She's not overly girly and she's clever. The sort of person more girls need to read about. Not the pink princess that seems to be everywhere in the modern day. At first I didn't like Katy at all because of her whole secret but once you get to know her, she probably more human and down to earth than anyone else. She's in a position that she hates but has to go along with it to please her parents. Another thing i believe many tweens can relate too.
The Witch of Turlingham Academy is a brilliant book for tweens. The book is entertaining from start to finish. The action never stops. Nowhere in the book does it get boring and begin to drag, it is effortlessly enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this book to tweens. It's a mix of witchcraft in the modern world. It's a great book.
The book follows Sophie, the daughter of the headmistress of Turlingham Academy, as she goes back for a new term. Before the term has even officially begun she's in trouble. It seems everywhere she goes trouble follows. We join Sophie and her group of friends for midnight gossips and discussing crushes. When new girl Katy suddenly turns up at school, Sophie immediately thinks she's hiding something. While Sophie has newly developed problems of her own, she has to get to the bottom of Katy's secret and in the mean time discover her own.
Sophie was different to a normal character aimed at tweens. Sophie wasn't afraid to break the rules, she's tough. She's not overly girly and she's clever. The sort of person more girls need to read about. Not the pink princess that seems to be everywhere in the modern day. At first I didn't like Katy at all because of her whole secret but once you get to know her, she probably more human and down to earth than anyone else. She's in a position that she hates but has to go along with it to please her parents. Another thing i believe many tweens can relate too.
The Witch of Turlingham Academy is a brilliant book for tweens. The book is entertaining from start to finish. The action never stops. Nowhere in the book does it get boring and begin to drag, it is effortlessly enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this book to tweens. It's a mix of witchcraft in the modern world. It's a great book.
March 26, 2012
Oh how I adored this book!
Now you know I am always attracted to a good witch book, so my curiosity got the better of me with this one and I knew I had to read it. I was not disappointed.
The Witch of Turlingham is a new venture for ATOM as it is the first one they have launched in their new strand of publishing for the 8 to 12 year old market. They wanted to provide books for the tweens who were desperate to get their hands on the Twilight books but were too young to read them and I think they got it just right.
From what I can gather, ATOM will be bringing a new witchy adventure in this series out every three months to keep the series exciting and the audience thrilled. I think there will be a long procession of tweenies banging on the doors of Atom Towers in desperation for the next book.
Sophie the main character, is sassy and stylish and rolling in confidence, depicting a lot of tweens I happen to know! The author really knows her target audience and I personally fell in love with Sophie from Chapter One. The book is set in a boarding school, yet don't be expecting to find a slice of hidden Enid Blyton in there, this school is a lot more modern; the author just brought boarding schools into the present day.
The writing is sharp and concise, with lots of dry humour hidden within. The plot keeps you reading as you try to work out whether Sophie is in danger or not. The friendship between Sophie and Katy had a very interesting twist and I can't wait to see how that progresses.
This is a excellent read, not too long, so you can easily tempt the reluctant girl readers with it. I honestly can't wait for the next one.
Well done Ellie Boswell and Atom for launching a fabulous new series for the young wannabes!
Now you know I am always attracted to a good witch book, so my curiosity got the better of me with this one and I knew I had to read it. I was not disappointed.
The Witch of Turlingham is a new venture for ATOM as it is the first one they have launched in their new strand of publishing for the 8 to 12 year old market. They wanted to provide books for the tweens who were desperate to get their hands on the Twilight books but were too young to read them and I think they got it just right.
From what I can gather, ATOM will be bringing a new witchy adventure in this series out every three months to keep the series exciting and the audience thrilled. I think there will be a long procession of tweenies banging on the doors of Atom Towers in desperation for the next book.
Sophie the main character, is sassy and stylish and rolling in confidence, depicting a lot of tweens I happen to know! The author really knows her target audience and I personally fell in love with Sophie from Chapter One. The book is set in a boarding school, yet don't be expecting to find a slice of hidden Enid Blyton in there, this school is a lot more modern; the author just brought boarding schools into the present day.
The writing is sharp and concise, with lots of dry humour hidden within. The plot keeps you reading as you try to work out whether Sophie is in danger or not. The friendship between Sophie and Katy had a very interesting twist and I can't wait to see how that progresses.
This is a excellent read, not too long, so you can easily tempt the reluctant girl readers with it. I honestly can't wait for the next one.
Well done Ellie Boswell and Atom for launching a fabulous new series for the young wannabes!
April 20, 2012
I have to admit I had my doubts about this before I read it but I was pleasantly surprised. I actually really enjoyed it, a lot! In fact it reminded of the The Worst Witch (a past-time favourite) but more modernised which is always nice to have. The book was quick, snappy, fast paced and pet you interested the whole way through. Definitely a feel-good book. It's one of those book where you read it and you just wish the world would actually be like that, be we all know it's not gonna happen.
The plot was very simple, no complex hidden story lines, it was fun and was easy to follow. I liked it., though. I moved on quickly, kept you thinking and waning to know what happened next. It was very light-hearted and I like to have a breath of fresh air, every once in a while, because of all the books I read.
The writing was nice to read aswell. There was no over description or endless pages of dialogue, just a nice balance that got straight to the point and created a nice vivd image in your mind. It was definitely enjoyable to read and I didn't come out not liking it, so I think Boswell has done a brilliant job with this novel.
The characters were all good, and because their weren't loads of them, It made it easier to get to know them, because of course this is the first book in the series and we don't know them yet. I felt they were all really strong, standalone characters, and you could get really close to them. My favourite characters would have to be Katy and Sophie, because you learn what true friends are from them, something that you find often in out modern day society. This book is perfect for escapism.
Overall the book was funny, fantastic, light-hearted read that kept me glued to it till the end!
The plot was very simple, no complex hidden story lines, it was fun and was easy to follow. I liked it., though. I moved on quickly, kept you thinking and waning to know what happened next. It was very light-hearted and I like to have a breath of fresh air, every once in a while, because of all the books I read.
The writing was nice to read aswell. There was no over description or endless pages of dialogue, just a nice balance that got straight to the point and created a nice vivd image in your mind. It was definitely enjoyable to read and I didn't come out not liking it, so I think Boswell has done a brilliant job with this novel.
The characters were all good, and because their weren't loads of them, It made it easier to get to know them, because of course this is the first book in the series and we don't know them yet. I felt they were all really strong, standalone characters, and you could get really close to them. My favourite characters would have to be Katy and Sophie, because you learn what true friends are from them, something that you find often in out modern day society. This book is perfect for escapism.
Overall the book was funny, fantastic, light-hearted read that kept me glued to it till the end!
February 16, 2012
The Witch of Turlingham Academy is a truly wonderful read, I devoured it in one sitting and cannot wait to read more. It is perfectly written, with lots of adventure to keep you entertained throughout.
Sophie's mum is the headmistress of Turlingham Academy. So Sophie has to stay with her mum in their own cottage on campus, instead of in the school dorms with all her friends. Which isn't easy & leaves Sophie feeling left out sometimes.
Sophie hasn't long turned 13 and has only discovered she is a witch. New girl Katy is a witch hunter and she starts sniffing around trying to dig up proof of the witch at Turlingham Academy. Sophie fools her into thinking she is helping her find the witch.
Can Sophie throw Katy and her brother off the scent and save herself? She needs to at all costs because she is in terrible danger. Katy and her brother come from a long line of well known witch hunters.
The plot line is fantastic, I really did love reading about Sophie and her adventures. This book is one for the girls, there are girly secrets, midnight feasts, tons of fun and best of all really good friendships.
Sophie is such a charming character, a real sweetie. She is adventurous, funny, sneaky, she is a real prankster and a truly wonderful friend.
The intended age range for this book is 8 - 12 years, so I am not really the intended audience but I loved it all the same and I think most people will. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next in the series UNDERCOVER MAGIC.
Many thanks to Atom books for the review copy.
A 5 Star Read
Carly :)
http://fictionfascination.blogspot.com/
Sophie's mum is the headmistress of Turlingham Academy. So Sophie has to stay with her mum in their own cottage on campus, instead of in the school dorms with all her friends. Which isn't easy & leaves Sophie feeling left out sometimes.
Sophie hasn't long turned 13 and has only discovered she is a witch. New girl Katy is a witch hunter and she starts sniffing around trying to dig up proof of the witch at Turlingham Academy. Sophie fools her into thinking she is helping her find the witch.
Can Sophie throw Katy and her brother off the scent and save herself? She needs to at all costs because she is in terrible danger. Katy and her brother come from a long line of well known witch hunters.
The plot line is fantastic, I really did love reading about Sophie and her adventures. This book is one for the girls, there are girly secrets, midnight feasts, tons of fun and best of all really good friendships.
Sophie is such a charming character, a real sweetie. She is adventurous, funny, sneaky, she is a real prankster and a truly wonderful friend.
The intended age range for this book is 8 - 12 years, so I am not really the intended audience but I loved it all the same and I think most people will. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next in the series UNDERCOVER MAGIC.
Many thanks to Atom books for the review copy.
A 5 Star Read
Carly :)
http://fictionfascination.blogspot.com/
August 26, 2012
I was lucky enough to win this book from a giveaway run by Bliss Magazine.
I have to admit that I wasn’t entirely sure about this book before I read it, being children’s fiction I was worried it might just be too child-like for me but I actually very much enjoyed this quick, fun read!
Sophie’s mum is the headmistress of Turlingham Academy and whilst in her mum’s office Sophie discovered something hidden in her one of her drawers, something that led to all sorts of trouble and changes for her. The first indicator that something had changed was when Sophie and her friends were messing about in an old lighthouse, they got a bit of a shock when their pretend magic actually worked!
The two new mysterious students, Katy and Ashton, were interesting and although I knew what they were, it was fun to see what they would get up to. Towards the end things got really tense for Sophie as the their true colours shone through, leaving Sophie fearing for her life. Sometimes, however, people can surprise you in a good way…
This book has a young and fresh feel to it, I enjoyed the typical teenage girl talk (boys, school etc.) and the magic that was thrown into the mix made it even more interesting. It was well written and easy to read, I would definitely recommend it for children, teenagers and fans of witchy books in general.
There is a second book which has already been released, Undercover Magic, and a third which is due to be released in September called Secrets and Sorcery.
I have to admit that I wasn’t entirely sure about this book before I read it, being children’s fiction I was worried it might just be too child-like for me but I actually very much enjoyed this quick, fun read!
Sophie’s mum is the headmistress of Turlingham Academy and whilst in her mum’s office Sophie discovered something hidden in her one of her drawers, something that led to all sorts of trouble and changes for her. The first indicator that something had changed was when Sophie and her friends were messing about in an old lighthouse, they got a bit of a shock when their pretend magic actually worked!
The two new mysterious students, Katy and Ashton, were interesting and although I knew what they were, it was fun to see what they would get up to. Towards the end things got really tense for Sophie as the their true colours shone through, leaving Sophie fearing for her life. Sometimes, however, people can surprise you in a good way…
This book has a young and fresh feel to it, I enjoyed the typical teenage girl talk (boys, school etc.) and the magic that was thrown into the mix made it even more interesting. It was well written and easy to read, I would definitely recommend it for children, teenagers and fans of witchy books in general.
There is a second book which has already been released, Undercover Magic, and a third which is due to be released in September called Secrets and Sorcery.
April 19, 2012
I loved The Worst Witch books and tv show as a child, so reading The Witch of Turlingham Academy brought back some similar and fond memories of the show. Although a different story line I feel it was similar in many ways and any young girl will relate and love this book.
This book is about a girl called Sophie, she's 13, she is confident, popular and stylish. She is a great and fun and I for one loved her. She goes to a boarding school called Turlingham Academy and she has only recently found out she is a witch. The new girl at the school who is called Katy, and she's a witch hunter. There is lots of adventure happening in there, that will keep you reading and wanting to find out if Sophie is going to be ok.
I love Ellie's writing excellent, fits in well for the tween market and even as an adult reading it, it hits the spot. It's funny and well written. This book is a light and easy read, one which will keep you interested and wanting to find out more.
This new and exciting series by Atom is aimed at the age range of 8-12, which I think this book fits in perfectly to. Once of the best things about this series is we don't have to wait long for the next instalment, the next book is out in the next three months or so. I for one cannot wait to read what happens next.
This book is about a girl called Sophie, she's 13, she is confident, popular and stylish. She is a great and fun and I for one loved her. She goes to a boarding school called Turlingham Academy and she has only recently found out she is a witch. The new girl at the school who is called Katy, and she's a witch hunter. There is lots of adventure happening in there, that will keep you reading and wanting to find out if Sophie is going to be ok.
I love Ellie's writing excellent, fits in well for the tween market and even as an adult reading it, it hits the spot. It's funny and well written. This book is a light and easy read, one which will keep you interested and wanting to find out more.
This new and exciting series by Atom is aimed at the age range of 8-12, which I think this book fits in perfectly to. Once of the best things about this series is we don't have to wait long for the next instalment, the next book is out in the next three months or so. I for one cannot wait to read what happens next.
August 24, 2014
Minule som bola v knižnici a toto mi odporučila knihovníčka, že keď mám rada fantasy a nevadí mi, že je to pre deti, nech si prečítam, že im to prišla ako novinka. Keď im to vrátim, určite túto sériu vychválim. Je milá a aj trochu napínavá, ale nie zase priveľmi desivá, proste tak akurát pre čítanie na 1. stupni zš. :) Je to o dievčati, ktoré ako dcéra riaditeľky školy má to privilégium, že nespí na internáte s ostatnými deťmi. No, ona to berie ako mínus a tak aby nebola nuda, vymýšľa... Je mi jasné, že to nie je extra náročná literatúra, ale fakt sa mi to páčilo. :)
May 9, 2012
It was a good book. I always loved things related to magic...I used to watch "Charmed" as a kid and that's why I might have found this a little childish. But it was a good read and a nice story. Except that I didn't want Ashton to turn out like that though I liked Callum more..
But it is a good book for preteens...I guess it would have been better if I read it before...then it wouldn't seem kidish to me :P
But for preteens this is a good book to read. :)
But it is a good book for preteens...I guess it would have been better if I read it before...then it wouldn't seem kidish to me :P
But for preteens this is a good book to read. :)
March 29, 2012
I actually really enjoyed this book, was unsure if it would be a bit young and childish if that's the right word but I really enjoyed it. Nice 'witchy' read very enjoyable. Looking forward to reading the next book, the little extract at the end makes u want the next one now!! Nice and easy to pick up and put down when the kids call or the door goes due to the short chapters. Really liked this.
July 22, 2013
Nice book, I liked it, and I think that younger readers will love it and enjoy reading it.
I love reading about magic and boarding schools but I gave this 3 starts because I prefer YA books, they usually have more plots and details. This one is more suitable for children and middle grade readers.
I love reading about magic and boarding schools but I gave this 3 starts because I prefer YA books, they usually have more plots and details. This one is more suitable for children and middle grade readers.
March 15, 2014
This book is absolutely amazing i love all the adventure and action the emotions and the love in this book i love a how witch is becoming best friends with a witch hunter which is the number one rule of witches and witch hunters.I also find it really upset when Sophie wants to hang out everybody but nobody knows he so i really find it hard for he to make friends but luckily she has Katy
January 1, 2013
I loved The Witch of Turlingham Academy! It's very young young adult, but it was exactly what I was in the mood for: fun, light and simple writing. Sophie was a good host, a very likeable character without being too perfect or too rebellious. She was a very down to earth character.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews