The Witch at the Window by Chew, Ruth (February 1, 1985) Paperback

Matter-of-Fact Magic

by Ruth Chew

Marjorie and Nick are sure they see a witch standing on the air conditioner outside the window. Then she disappears into thin air! That's just the beginning of some strange adventures for Marjorie and her brother.

Genres: Fantasy, Witches, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Halloween, Young Adult

Paperback

About the author

Ruth Chew is the author of a number of popular books for young readers, including Secondhand Magic and The Wednesday Witch. She was born in Minneapolis and grew up in Washington, D.C. She studied art at the Corcoran School of Art and worked as a fashion artist. She was the mother of five children.

Reviews

[C. (Comment, never msg). · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was unforgettably enchanted by “What The Witch Left” as a toddler but did not notice the authoress’ name. I was ecstatic to recognize that book in 2014 and now buy every used Ruth Chew novel I encounter. Publishing 32 from 1969 to 1996, she has a fine mixed bag. After reading her a lot, you notice she writes a lot about magical cats or witches entertaining children, who hide these visitors and their paraphernalia from their parents. I always think the presence and magnitude of all this paranormal wonderment would make it impossible for grown-ups to be skeptical.

A few among Ruth’s repeated premises are weaker. It is fun to dive in and see if these second-hand prizes produce treasure, or a nostalgic trip. I gave “The Witch At The Window” from 1984, a middle of the road three stars, because some of the action, decisions, and logic could have been worked out better. For example, I do not think anyone would try anything as serious as a transformation spell on themselves, when this world of possibilities was new to them and the expert was absent.

This adventure is worth an A+ for originality and numerous colourful, dynamic chapters full of ideas that weave together superbly! Who would not be thrilled to explore a home inside a tree trunk and help a magic practitioner undo a mistake and return to their real self? I also love that the story scenes are not planted in one place. Besides home and the park of the big old tree, an amusing zoo visit procures multicoloured bird feathers to reverse an experiment gone awry. It is also interesting that the magic was not inborn to a witch, tree, or bird. The group just needed the right information and tools to get things done.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruth Chew was among my favorite authors when I was about ten years old and I was so excited to learn that several of her books have recently been republished for a new generation of young readers. I asked my children to choose one of the many “Witch” books for Halloween and we splurged on a purchase since our library doesn’t yet have any of the reprints. Perhaps this wasn’t one of Chew’s stronger works but it was a bit of a disappointment to me after all my fond childhood memories. I thought perhaps she’s one of those authors that appeals more to children than to grown-ups but my children didn’t seem too into it, either. My oldest thought everything was just a bit “random” and missed a stronger plot thread. I wanted more description and emotion (and the mom in me kept being pesky and thinking, gosh, those children really shouldn’t be going into a witch’s lair and fiddling about with her potions and magic book—though, of course, as a kid that’s the fun of it!) It just wasn’t particularly absorbing though I did appreciate that it was just-scary-enough-but-not-really. Oh, and I cannot believe that one aspect at the end was so brief If I was finally able to fly my gosh I would want to go outside in the blue sky and sunshine and really spread my wings not just fly around in an old tree trunk! If any of you are Ruth Chew fans and have read her books as adults, please let me know your favorite. I would like to suggest one to the library to order since they only have two original editions that are reference only and the reviews of this and other books are high enough I think the district needs at least one of her books on the shelves and I will check it out and try another with my kids.

[Rebecca is book-hooked · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ These are such a delight to read! Totally a fan of Ruth Chew. I wish there were more of these. This should be a more popular series.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wooden spoon and magic bird lead to adventures in invisibility. Fun.

[Kaijsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have I mentioned that I love Ruth Chew? These are such cute stories. Each a little different, all a bit the same - a boy and girl, left unsupervised, stumble upon a bit of magic and all the adults are oblivious. All are short and sweet.

[Kat!e Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a fun story! I'm sad I didn't find these books sooner; I would have absolutely adored them in Elementary school. But they're still delightfully enchanting. I really loved learning all the rules of the magic and I liked the characters a lot. High three stars.

[Anabella (anabellasbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tenía el libro de hacía años y hasta ahora lo leo.
Es un libro que se lee en toda una sentada. Y como es para niños es una lectura muy liviana.

[Brooks Ensor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a really great book and I love all the magic in it I don’t know if that’s why I like these kind of books but there really fun to read, I suggest reading all of these they’re AMAZING!!!!!! 😁😁

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute first chapter book. A touch of magic and its consequences. I think this would be a fun series for a child just beginning to read chapter books. I liked that the brother and sister worked well together as a team. Allowing each other room to make mistakes, but not holding the results against them. A little simple for my taste, but I haven't been reading a lot for this reading level.

[Beka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but a trifle annoying in parts. The more I read of Ms. Chew's books, the less I like them. Unfortunately, they're all very similar, and that gets old after the first few books. There are a couple that I really like, but the rest are just meh.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up to four stars on behalf of my inner child. I love the theme of 'be careful what you wish for' and this has more of that and less adventure than a lot of similar stories. I will keep reading (and rereading) Chew's books, esp. because they're now more widely avl. as reprints.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

After Marjorie finds an odd spoon in the park, a witch appears at Nick’s window that night. The next day the brother and sister notice a starling following them and soon discover that it can talk. It leads them to a mysterious tree in Prospect Park. They discover a secret cave deep within the tree that holds many magical secrets, the most surprising of which is the identity of the witch. Young readers will enjoy the magical elements of this gentle tale. There is hardly a fright in sight in this easy to read story. These re-issues of Ruth Chew’s books will delight a new generation of readers.

[HeavyReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book which follows the classic Ruth Chew formula.

A sister and brother are alone and a little bored during summer vacation while their mom and dad are off at work. The kids run around entertaining themselves. The girl even wears their house key around her neck. During their running around, they get mixed up in magic and even meet a witch. They have a couple little mishaps and a few close calls, but all's well that ends well.

Sigh. I love me some good Ruth Chew.

[Eric Summers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young kids meet a witch who takes them on adventures. They learn some spells and learn that power comes with a price. A quick read for kids turned on to books about magic. Short enough to read-aloud, but with so many better books out there, why would you?

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two kids discover a hollow tree at the bottom of which a witch has made her home. They take something of hers and she comes looking for it. Funny adventure story - not scary.

[Ruth Soz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a big fan of Ruth Chew. I remember reading several of her books. Most of them are centered around magic.

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not going to lie this book creeped me out a bit when I was a kid. It's another one of those books that is nostalgic for me.

[Crystal Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Chew was one of my favorite authors during my childhood. I have fond memories of reading her Witch books. They fostered my love for children's literature.

[Philip Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy reading. interesting story. not to scary.

[BGCedillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good book. The things that you don't understand at the beginning of the story make sense at the end.