The Witches of Friar's Lantern

Beatrice Bailey #2

by Sandra Forrester

Both newcomers to Beatrice Bailey’s exploits and girls and boys who loved her previous escapade, The Everyday Witch , will delight in Sandra Forrester’s brand new adventure novel. Beatrice is a twelve-year-old witch whose talent for magic-making sometimes falters. In this story, the Witches’ Executive Committee is continuing its test to see if Beatrice can become a “Classical Witch,” capable of working important magic. She and her friends must now spend time in the village of Friar’s Lantern, a town surrounded by eerie swamps and located uncomfortably close to a menacing neighboring village called Werewolf Close. On a nighttime excursion they encounter strange blue lights in the marshes. Further bizarre adventures introduce Beatrice and friends to a maddened old man witch named Yorick . . . a weird group of magical cats . . . spooky ghosts who haunt the swamps . . . and the toad-like water leaper, whose generous spirit belies his ugly appearance. Here is exciting escape entertainment—a delightful mixture of humor, magic, and spooky adventure.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Witches, Childrens, Magic, Young Adult, Adventure

225 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2003

About the author

Sandra Forrester is the author of Sound the Jubilee (Dutton) and My Home Is Over Jordan, both National Council for the Social Studies/Children's Book Council Notable Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies.
She has a master's degree in library and information studies and lives in Alabama.

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forget Hogwarts—I want to live in Friar’s Lantern. This absolute tale of magic, family, and fighting your reputation is as good to me today as it was two decades ago. Can’t wait to continue my journey with the best young witch, Beatrice Bailey!

[Sbuchler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: YA some-what urban fantasy

Book 2 of Beatrice Bailey's adventures. It's got the same structure as the first - adventure novel, with essentially physical barriers that by clever thinking and judicious use of their limited powers, the heroes overcome. The villain is a trifle annoying, in the first book he can be forgiven overconfidence, but in this book he really ought to have taken to heart the Evil Overlord List: http://web.archive.org/web/2002121900...

The only reason he keeps getting defeated is that he keeps spending his time soliloquizing rather then doing something to stop the heroes.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as quality, this book falls somewhere between the first book and the third book (the third book being MUCH better than the first), which is not really a coincidence, since it falls between the first book and the third book chronologically, as well.

The curious thing about this series is how recent it is -- early 2000s -- yet it feels older -- maybe 1980s. I'm not sure why unless it is the lack of any technological reference.

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute, unfortunately out of print series of children books. These belong to by daughter who has read them so many times that I decided to try them. They are a good fast read. If you come across a set of I think 6 books try them. They are good.

[Janeen-san · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't rember anthing about this book. I read it years ago, and all I remember is that is was good.

[AurorainBookland · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good, read the everyday witch first

[Kirstie Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this when I was much younger and really enjoyed it (don't remember much of it now)

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread. Still love it.