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The Worst Witch #7
The Worst Witch and the Wishing Star
The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy is back in an exciting, very funny 7th adventure. In The Worst Witch and the Wishing Star, Mildred, notoriously the worst witch at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, makes a wish on a shooting star - and to her great surprise it comes true! But it also spells trouble. Mildred's wish-come-true is a small dog but she has to keep him a secret from her friends, and especially the formidable Miss Hardbroom. It's a disaster waiting to happen ...and it does...!
190 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2013
102 people are currently reading
1184 people want to read
About the author
Jill Murphy
83 books343 followersJill Murphy was a London-born English children's author, best known for The Worst Witch series and the Large Family picture books. She has been described as "one of the most engaging writers and illustrators for children in the land."
Jill Murphy was born in London and attended the Ursuline Convent in Wimbledon which, together with the boarding school stories she enjoyed reading, provided much of the material and inspiration Miss Cackle's Academy in the The Worst Witch, which she started when she was 15. She put the book on hold as she attended both Chelsea and Croydon Art Schools, but continued to write it whilst living in a village in Togo, West Africa for a year and then whilst working as a nanny back at home. The book was published when Jill turned 24 and proved an instant success. However, Jill continued working as a nanny until the publication of The Worst Witch Strikes Again prompted her to devote herself to full-time writing. The Worst Witch stories have become some of the most outstandingly successful titles on the Young Puffin paperback list and have sold more than 3 million copies. They were also made into a major ITV series. She was also well known for her picture books and was commended in the 1980 Kate Greenaway Medal for Peace at Last. A Quiet Night In was shortlisted for the same medal in 1994. She was perhaps best known for the very popular Mr and Mrs Large picture books, which detail the domestic chaos of an elephant family. Five Minute's Peace won the 1987 Parents Magazine Best Books for Babies Award, as well as being shortlisted for the 1986 Children's Book Award. All in One Piece was highly commended for the 1987 Kate Greenaway Award and shortlisted for the 1987 Children's Book Award. The Last Noo-noo won the 0-5 category of the 1995 Smarties Book Prize and in the same year was shortlisted for the English 4-11 Outstanding Children's Book of the Year, going on to win the 1996 Sheffield Children's Book Award. It won the 1996 Gateshead Gold Award. In the same year it was adapted as a play and performed at the Polka Theatre, London.
Jill Murphy was born in London and attended the Ursuline Convent in Wimbledon which, together with the boarding school stories she enjoyed reading, provided much of the material and inspiration Miss Cackle's Academy in the The Worst Witch, which she started when she was 15. She put the book on hold as she attended both Chelsea and Croydon Art Schools, but continued to write it whilst living in a village in Togo, West Africa for a year and then whilst working as a nanny back at home. The book was published when Jill turned 24 and proved an instant success. However, Jill continued working as a nanny until the publication of The Worst Witch Strikes Again prompted her to devote herself to full-time writing. The Worst Witch stories have become some of the most outstandingly successful titles on the Young Puffin paperback list and have sold more than 3 million copies. They were also made into a major ITV series. She was also well known for her picture books and was commended in the 1980 Kate Greenaway Medal for Peace at Last. A Quiet Night In was shortlisted for the same medal in 1994. She was perhaps best known for the very popular Mr and Mrs Large picture books, which detail the domestic chaos of an elephant family. Five Minute's Peace won the 1987 Parents Magazine Best Books for Babies Award, as well as being shortlisted for the 1986 Children's Book Award. All in One Piece was highly commended for the 1987 Kate Greenaway Award and shortlisted for the 1987 Children's Book Award. The Last Noo-noo won the 0-5 category of the 1995 Smarties Book Prize and in the same year was shortlisted for the English 4-11 Outstanding Children's Book of the Year, going on to win the 1996 Sheffield Children's Book Award. It won the 1996 Gateshead Gold Award. In the same year it was adapted as a play and performed at the Polka Theatre, London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
July 15, 2015
As I was growing up, the Worst Witch books were a firm favourite with me, my sisters and my friends. And I'm sure that they too will want to read this. I really REALLY enjoyed this. It's in the same style and just as easily accessible as the earlier books, but you know reading it, right from the start, that Mildred and friends have grown up a little.
The gorgeous illustrations perfectly compliment the story - even the layouts are quite humourous for some!
The story is wonderful - it's got the good, the bad, and the happy ending. And Mildred makes a new friend and gains some responsibilities. This helps her grow up a little. And you see a different side of HB, she's not all lofty, evil potions teacher.
This was a great return of one of the best children's characters out there, and the fabulous illustrations just made me feel more nostalgic for my childhood, a time when we'd committed the Cackle's Academy song to memory and would sing it when we were acting out the books - I was always Mildred with my long hair.
I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.
The gorgeous illustrations perfectly compliment the story - even the layouts are quite humourous for some!
The story is wonderful - it's got the good, the bad, and the happy ending. And Mildred makes a new friend and gains some responsibilities. This helps her grow up a little. And you see a different side of HB, she's not all lofty, evil potions teacher.
This was a great return of one of the best children's characters out there, and the fabulous illustrations just made me feel more nostalgic for my childhood, a time when we'd committed the Cackle's Academy song to memory and would sing it when we were acting out the books - I was always Mildred with my long hair.
I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.
March 28, 2015
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. Jill Murphy's Worst Witch series is one I read as a girl, and loved them.
Mildred Hubble was a blast from the past! With a good moral, and a nice story this is a great book for children to boost confidence, show compassion and teach kindness toward others.
As I remember Mildred always gets herself into a situation, then with creativity and strong will she ends up on the winning side, showing her abilities and hard work do pay off.
I would recommend this book to children, or those like myself that got a big smile from a memory of a long lost friend still doing well.
Mildred Hubble was a blast from the past! With a good moral, and a nice story this is a great book for children to boost confidence, show compassion and teach kindness toward others.
As I remember Mildred always gets herself into a situation, then with creativity and strong will she ends up on the winning side, showing her abilities and hard work do pay off.
I would recommend this book to children, or those like myself that got a big smile from a memory of a long lost friend still doing well.
March 27, 2018
kept reminding me of goblet of fire :') #nostalgiaattack
I am already missing it off to watch the CBBC series .cant get enough of Mildred haha
I am already missing it off to watch the CBBC series .cant get enough of Mildred haha
December 19, 2020
Really enjoyed this one and the narration is perfect.
December 23, 2015
It was so adorable! With everyone finally finding some joy in life, save for Ethel of course (someone is ought to cast some crucio on her XD). I can’t wait for the next book and see how Mil will do in Form Five! Problem is, I actually can´t! This makes me really sad. I completely loved this series; save for the grownups that still can’t see how Ethel is in fact the troublemaker. From 1974 to 2013 only seven books, still thank you so much for this Jill Murphy!
December 10, 2020
This is definitely one of my favorites in the series. First off, I love that Mildred now basically has a whole zoo in her room. She is also starting to be seen as a talented witch rather than just a trouble maker. She is doing good at her job! And most importantly I really love to see the changes coming over her and HB. I love their relationship and I like the way HB is opening up and her emotions are starting to show!
February 6, 2014
This was my first foray into The Worst Witch series and although I thought it a little old fashioned, with the age-old popular themes of friendships and boarding school, and a continuing nemesis to defeat; I did enjoy the story and even the predictable 'everything is ok' at the end. Great for 6+ girls.
February 23, 2016
So impressed with Jill Murphy's ability to continue this series nearly thirty years after she started it with the same genuine spirit, unchanged by all the adaptations and imitations. The illustrations in this new volume were particularly good.
April 9, 2014
It was nice to read about Mildred Hubble and her friends again. I loved this series so much, they are adorable, and it's always a really nice story. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated. Just a witch that is a bit of a scattered brain trying to do her best.
I always like these books.
I always like these books.
May 16, 2017
I enjoyed this one. I liked the dog and the idea of wishing on a star. I was somewhat hoping the other person who wished for something - that their wish would have been something else. I wish I could have read these books when I was a kid. Only as an adult have I been reading them (and only the first and now this one, I skipped the others but plan to read them all!) the tv shows and movie got me into the series.
January 1, 2020
Star is such a fabulous addition to this series; what a perfect pet - he could do leaps and tricks from a broomstick, what more could you need! As usual Mildred finds herself in some unintended shenanigans, which ultimately works out for the best for the school!
She definitely isn't the worst witch but she might just be the luckiest! Absolutely loved re-reading this series, such a delight.
She definitely isn't the worst witch but she might just be the luckiest! Absolutely loved re-reading this series, such a delight.
September 1, 2022
A delightful departure from the usual with Mildred having a better time at school and succeeding at her Lantern Monitor job.
Of course, things go south, thanks to Ethel. Thanks to Mildred's new companion (a stray dog called Star), they both manage to come through and save the day.
A fun read like always!
Of course, things go south, thanks to Ethel. Thanks to Mildred's new companion (a stray dog called Star), they both manage to come through and save the day.
A fun read like always!
November 15, 2021
This might be my favourite one of all! I’m genuinely so sad that the next book is the last one - these books have been making me so happy! Jill Murphy is a genius and one of the greatest writer/illustrators of all time.
June 4, 2018
Read June 2018
August 22, 2018
Super cute, just like the rest! I’m tempted to buy the whole set, because I’m sure my girls would read them over and over!
February 24, 2020
On the first night back for the Winter Term, Mildred wishes on a star. The next night on lantern duty she gets her wish and has to figure out a way to make it work without getting her into trouble. As usual Ethel sticks her nose and Mildred saves the day.
January 1, 2023
This one was actually super cute. I loved the development of HB. Once again Ethel gets off far too lightly.
October 30, 2024
This one might just be my favourite
July 14, 2018
Review to come :)
November 8, 2021
This one was a lot of fun. I enjoyed that Mildred finally gets a chance to do well, and excel, even if she has some mishaps. I liked that her perfect broom companion is Star, because at least it means that poor Tabby is relieved of broom duty, finally, and Mildred can improve.
It's also nice to see Miss Hardbroom act somewhat normal for once, and, gasp, even have something as frivolous as a birthday.
I thought that the competion prize being an indoor swimming p0ol was unusual, but I guess that's part of the charm.
It's also nice to see Miss Hardbroom act somewhat normal for once, and, gasp, even have something as frivolous as a birthday.
I thought that the competion prize being an indoor swimming p0ol was unusual, but I guess that's part of the charm.
November 7, 2025
Read this book to my 8 year old daughter:
What can I say that I haven’t already said about this series? Gentle, sweet, fun and great for girls the age of 7-12. I have loved the evolution of Mildred (this is book #7) over the series. She’s not the worst witch in the least- she’s just a normal kid who isn’t afraid to follow her whims, even if it might break a rule or two. I also enjoy that this book in particular turns the normal witch mythology of a cat-broom-riding-companion on its head and introduces a witch companion dog instead (Spoiler: the scene where the witches wonder aloud about there not being a rule about witches only having black cat companions, so like uhhh, why not a dog?- had my daughter and I cracking up!) So fun. A great series- now on to the final book!
What can I say that I haven’t already said about this series? Gentle, sweet, fun and great for girls the age of 7-12. I have loved the evolution of Mildred (this is book #7) over the series. She’s not the worst witch in the least- she’s just a normal kid who isn’t afraid to follow her whims, even if it might break a rule or two. I also enjoy that this book in particular turns the normal witch mythology of a cat-broom-riding-companion on its head and introduces a witch companion dog instead (Spoiler: the scene where the witches wonder aloud about there not being a rule about witches only having black cat companions, so like uhhh, why not a dog?- had my daughter and I cracking up!) So fun. A great series- now on to the final book!
October 11, 2020
Very predictable book, I don't think a single thing happened in this book that I didn't see coming. There was next to no conflict driving the narrative, it just sort of trundled on from happy coincidence to happy coincidence. I do not like the plot device of the 'wishing star', I know this is a book about teenage witches but please make it a bit more believable. None of this mumbo-jumbo wishing star nonsense.
February 5, 2024
These are so nostalgic to me. I loved the 90s TV show and remember reading these in primary school. They were such a big part of my childhood, and I still love them to this day.
July 3, 2024
Mildred is back for another year at school and she is determined that this year will be her year (cue everything that could go wrong going wrong). Nevertheless with her usual tenacity and her loyal friends, Mildred makes it through the year, gaining another furry friend and a whole lot of mischief and mayhem in the process! Great read!
March 23, 2018
último libro de esta serie aunque me encantaría que la historia continuara... una buena historia donde Mildred logra salir victoriosa mientras Ethel es la causante de todos los temores. Una historia que no recuerdo haber visto en las series de tv y que me pareció agradable, un poco divertida e ideal para niños. En conjunto con los dibujos, la historia se vuelve mejor, aunque tiene un momento o dos que parece monotona, tiene el toque de Mildred.
Spoilers ahead:
Mildred entra al cuarto año y con el inicio del nuevo termino de invierno tiene la esperanza que ahora si sea su año. todo empieza bien desde un perfecto aterrizaje a su llegada, y una dulce velada donde pide un deseo a una estrella fugaz. En este año los alumnos tienen responsabilidades, a Mildred le ha tocado parte de la iluminación del colegio (método antiguo de prender y apagar las velas manualmente), dudosa empieza su misión con la alegría de encontrar que no es tan difícil y que encontrará una gran sorpresa su primer noche... un perrito.
Mildred adopta el perrito a escondidas, quien resulta ser el perfecto compañero y no solo eso, es perfecto para volar en escoba y hacer acrobacias. Por otro lado, la escuela entra en una competencia por ganar una alberca (algo raro para ser brujas esperaria otra cosa) y tendran que hacer una demostración. Un día antes de la partida a la demostración, Ethel en su intento d molestar a Mildred descubre el perrito y produce un accidente donde destruyen parte del show preparado para la competencia. en un ultimo milagro, con ayuda de Maud y Enid, Mildred tratara de salvar el show y hacer ganar a la escuela la alberca... divertida y con un feliz final.
Spoilers ahead:
Mildred entra al cuarto año y con el inicio del nuevo termino de invierno tiene la esperanza que ahora si sea su año. todo empieza bien desde un perfecto aterrizaje a su llegada, y una dulce velada donde pide un deseo a una estrella fugaz. En este año los alumnos tienen responsabilidades, a Mildred le ha tocado parte de la iluminación del colegio (método antiguo de prender y apagar las velas manualmente), dudosa empieza su misión con la alegría de encontrar que no es tan difícil y que encontrará una gran sorpresa su primer noche... un perrito.
Mildred adopta el perrito a escondidas, quien resulta ser el perfecto compañero y no solo eso, es perfecto para volar en escoba y hacer acrobacias. Por otro lado, la escuela entra en una competencia por ganar una alberca (algo raro para ser brujas esperaria otra cosa) y tendran que hacer una demostración. Un día antes de la partida a la demostración, Ethel en su intento d molestar a Mildred descubre el perrito y produce un accidente donde destruyen parte del show preparado para la competencia. en un ultimo milagro, con ayuda de Maud y Enid, Mildred tratara de salvar el show y hacer ganar a la escuela la alberca... divertida y con un feliz final.
November 12, 2015
I feel a bit guilty for admitting this, but I actually enjoyed seeing Mildred become a confident young woman in this book, thanks to her fourth form duties as lantern monitor, and rescuing a stray dog only to discover he's a natural on the back of a broomstick. I do slightly miss the Mildred of old, and her endless struggles with Tabby, but there's something rather comforting about knowing she's not doomed to be a failure her whole life. (I also enjoyed seeing a different side to Miss Hardbroom, which definitely surprised me! I thought she was one of those characters you love to hate, but it was great to see she can be kind and reasonable too.) I almost wish Mildred hadn't won the talent competition with her last minute entry, because I don't think she needed to prove she was brilliant. But I'm very glad Miss Cackle's Academy will finally get their long desired swimming pool, haha.
February 3, 2020
Nice quick read as always, I do like this series. The dog, Star, was particularly cute and funny. This book didn't have great confrontations or dangers and Mildred is obviously growing, becoming a better witch and not getting in as many trouble as she used to.
I just don't know how to rate it because it's short, and it ends abruptly leaving me confused. It's the same with all the books if the stories were all collected together it'll be great, a lot less confusing, and I may even give it five stars. This is still meant to be an ongoing series though, so we won't see it very soon.
I just don't know how to rate it because it's short, and it ends abruptly leaving me confused. It's the same with all the books if the stories were all collected together it'll be great, a lot less confusing, and I may even give it five stars. This is still meant to be an ongoing series though, so we won't see it very soon.
August 29, 2025
Wishing on a Star (Updated)
It’s the first day of the winter term. The girls are told to assemble in the Great Hall. Miss Cackle comments to Miss HB that Mildred is the only one that’s landed with her cat on her broom and not stuffed in its basket like the other girls. Since it’s a rainy day, it’s hard to control the broomsticks because they go haywire once they get near water. Mildred is able to save Maud from flying into a puddle by grabbing onto her waist, but she can’t prevent Enid from flying into one. Enid begins to cry but Maud conmforts her. Then the three friends are happy to be reunited again.
Mildred notices that Miss Drill isn’t there when they arrived. She’s usually the first to greet them. Enid says maybe she’s not there or maybe she retired. She says maybe they’ll get a new gym mistress. Maud thinks a new one might be worse tho. Miss Drill Mildred notices is dressed in a grey tweed suit and a purple blouse. Her hair is in a French style.
Miss Cackle makes an announcement to cheer them up and says that there’s an opportunity for them coming up to win an indoor swimming pool. Miss HB takes over the announcements. The first is Miss Drill has decided to give up her position as gym mistress, due to a knee injury sustained during her annual rock-climbing summer holiday. have persuaded Miss Drill to stay on as class teacher to this year's Form Four. The second is glass will be fitted in all the pupils windows. The final announcement is there will be a competition to win the swimming pool.
The details of the competition are to be found on the noticeboard in the passageway next to the cloakrooms, to be discussed with your form teachers tomorrow. Also there, you will find the lists giving certain selected pupils their form tasks. Mildred, Maud, and Enid go to check out the tasks and are joined by Ethel. Ethel hopes she can get First Year Mentor so she can terrorize the first years. Meanwhile, Miss Cackle and Miss HB are discussing whether they did the right thing making the East Wing Lantern Monitor. Miss HB says (she'll just have three corridors of bedrooms, the spiral stairs, passages to the cloakrooms, the hallway inside the main door, and the two large lanterns on the school gates. As long as she sets off at twilight and lights her way out to the gates, everything will be shining brightly to light her back in again)-from the book.
. Ethel Hallow and Drusilla Paddock are doing the West Wing and all the upper floors. Miss Cackle hopes Mildred will be glad of the responsibility now that she’s a senior. But she isn’t. She vents to her friends that she’ll have to get up at dawn and douse all the candles and the hallways will be creepy and freezing. She tells Maud she’s lucky because she got first year mentor. Enid got Flower Monitor. Looking out the window, Maud sees a shooting star and Enid tells Mildred to make a wish.
The teachers see the shooting star too and they all entourage Miss HB to make a wish. She does but is disappointed when nothing happens and gets back down to business and tells them they have a challenging year ahead of them. The next morning, Mildred hasn’t gotten any sleep. Because now that they have glass on the windows, there’s been put in a bat flap for them to go in and out and they kept going in and out. Mildred says secretly sometimes she wishes she got sent to Pentangle's. They have better uniforms and get to choose their cat (the head girl does). Maud says yeah but they wouldn’t have found each other and besides Cackles isn’t *that* bad.
In class, Ethel, Drusilla, and Mildred are given their equipment (a surprisingly large canvas holdall, which contained a fire blanket, a fire extinguisher, several boxes of candles, a box of tapers, a box of matches, a large lantern with a clip on the side for a taper and a special handle (a bit like one of those holders for coffee glasses), so that the monitor could easily dip in a taper to light all the lanterns, and a snuffer for dousing the candles in the morning). She gives them the instuctions from HB to make sure they leave themselves plenty of time, their duties start at twilight that evening, to take their brooms with them -as some of the lanterns--and candelabras are very high. They can keep their broomsticks in their rooms and they don’t have to take their cats. Then she tells them about the competition.
It hasn't been decided yet which class or who in particular will be representing the school, but this competition is quite unusual, as it is more of a talent competition than the usual formal display. There will be one act representing each school, and the judges are to be the Supreme Magician, the Grand High Witch, and the Chief Wizard. The judges have stated that they want to be thoroughly entertained! The act can be anything at all, but the person or persons must have star quality (from the book). Ethel suggests a chanting choir. Enid wants to form a dance troupe. She gives Ethel’s idea the green light. Enid’s she says is inappropriate. Then she sends them out to fly to wake them up.
Ethel harasses Mildred about her cat (how it makes her flying look bad) and blames her because the Lantern team have to have so much safety equipment (probably because the teachers are scared, she’ll burn the school down). Luckily, Miss Drill comes up and gives them a flying contest with the prize a tin of caramels. Mildred quickly gets the hang of flipping open the little door at the side of each wall lantern, and lighting the candle with the taper. When she’s outside, she feels a presence watching her. She holds up her lantern and sees red eyes staring back at her. Then she hears whimpering and its coming faster and faster. She realizes it’s an animal and goes to check it out.
It's a terrified dog. Mildred is astonished. She’d wished for a dog. Just not on her first night of Lantern Duty. The dog looks as if it hasn’t been fed. It’s ribs are sticking out. Mildred finishes her task -and interestingly unlike her cat the dog sits still in the broom- and she sneaks him up to her room in the bag with the equipment. Mildred names the dog Star (after the wishing star). Maud stops by and Mildred makes up the excuse she can’t come in because she’s tired. (She’s stuffed Star in the bag and put it under the bed). But Tabby is staring under the bed stiffly. Enid notices how funny Tabs is acting, but Mildred says she always acts funny after the trip there and closes the door on Enid and Maud apologizing and says she doesn’t want Tab to get out.
Maud tells Enid somethings up. Enid says maybe she really is just tired but Maud says no she knows Mildred. Tabby is NOT at all happy to have Star there and hisses and spits. She then crawls up in the window and goes to sleep and doesn’t come to lay on Mildred’s pillow when she calls her. The next morning, Mildred goes to douse the flames and takes Star with her. She knows she has to be on the alert for Miss HB. The puppy is happy that Mildred feeds and bathes him and wants to do everything to make his new mistress proud.
Miss HB has to admit to Miss Drill that Mildred is doing well at her task and perhaps the Academy has done her some good. Miss Hardbroom decided that each class should come up with ideas for the competition and select the best one with the aid of their form mistresses--the chosen act to be handed in to the staff room. Miss Hardbroom and Miss Cackle would then consider all the suggestions carefully and post the winner on the downstairs noticeboard at the end of the week (from the book). Of course, Ethel’s idea is chosen, but Miss Drill says maybe they can throw in a little tap dancing.
Ethel’s idea surprisingly isn’t picked. Instead a Fifth Forms is of a broom ballet. Mildred feels kind of sorry for her because being the best always means so much to her. Miss Drill tells her she’ll just have to accept that someone else had the better idea than her and were more talented. She again sends them out flying and tells them at least they can get back to their other activites and all they can do is just cheer Form Five on. Things start to go so smoothly that Mildred wonders if the wishing star was a lucky star too. Even Tabby’s gotten adjusted to Star.
One misty morning, Mildred takes Star out and starts to teach him tricks on the broomstick-and he’s extremely good-. Mildred thinks if only they can have dogs on their broomsticks. She’d be the school champion. She keeps taking him out and teaching him new tricks. (He even teaches himself some like standing on his head and doing a backflip in midair that took him above the broom and over the side, with Mildred zooming underneath to catch him. Mildred invented a new trick where Star did the usual backflip with Mildred zooming underneath him. However, this time they started thirty feet up and did several backflip catches, descending very fast, so that it looked quite graceful, like a tumbling waterfall).
Mildred’s lamp-lighting duties cause her to grow a little distant from Maud and Enid. One morning, they show up at her door and insist on coming with her to help her. So, she has no choice but to show them Star and tell them how he came to her and her wish. They’re hesitant at first about him causing Mildred to get caught, but then when she shows them what he can do, they think he’s incredible and she’s increditble with him. They agree to keep her secret and say maybe HB won’t find out since she did so well hiding it from them.
Mildred, Ethel, and Maud go to watch “The Joys of Flying” and Maud is impressed and says they have a good chance of winning. Enid tho says it’s just run of the mill. Ethel tries to start something with Mildred over “thinking she’s something because she lit a few lanterns and hasn’t burned the school down” but Mildred just tells her to get lost. She wonders what Ethel would do if she found out about Star. The competition was to take place at the Supreme Magician's residence. Miss Cackle's Academy was to perform on the last day of the competition.
The morning of the competition, Ethel follows Mildred outside and says she saw Mildred yesterday -as the fog wasn’t thick- putting an animal in her bag. Mildred says it was just Tabby but Tabby then walks by. Mildred says she knew it and grabs the bag. Ethel and Mildred accidently knock over one of the lanterns and the costumes get destroyed. Miss HB sends them to the office while she attends to the costumes and then she says she’ll have to explain to everyone why they won’t be in the competition. Miss HB makes her turn the dog over to her.
Enid and Maud interrupt the meeting and start to sing Mildred and the dog’s praises and says they can save the contest. Mildred pleads with her that she’s been training Star for weeks, and they wouldn’t even have to change the name “The Joys of Flying”. She says it’s the only way to make up for what she’s done. Miss Cackle says they should at least try. Ethel gets told to stay in the office. When they stop for lunch, Mildred goes over to Fifth Form, apologizes, and askes for their support. Edna says she’s forgiven and tells her they’re behind her. Just don’t mess it up.
Mildred gives a performance that wows the judges and even impresses Miss HB. The judges announce them the winners. After this, Miss HB asks where she got the dog. She tells her she wished for him on a shooting star. Miss HB confides in her that she made a wish on the same star to win the competition. Miss HB and Miss Cackle gives Mildred the good news that Star can be her broomstick companion. She also gets to keep Tabby.
During there morning tea, Miss HB surprises the teachers with a chocolate cake and says she wants to celebrate her birthday properly. At the beginning of the book, she said her brithdays weren’t celebrated with all that fuss. She never had a cake. Miss Cackle asks if she’ll make a wish. She says as if she believes in that non-sense.
My Thoughts
Since this book was "easy" and didn't require a lot of deep thought the only thing I can say about it was, it must have been quite a sight to see Star doing all those tricks on a that broomstick. Even though I'm not "ga ga" over dogs I bet it was cute! And another thought I had was I’m kind of impressed at how much Mildred’s improved. She definitely isn’t the worst witch anymore. And the thing I’m most impressed with is she’s seemed to have gotten better on her own. So, much so that she’s taught STAR tricks when she could barely remember potions in the first couple books. NICE JOB! I’m proud of Mildred.
Rating: 6
It’s the first day of the winter term. The girls are told to assemble in the Great Hall. Miss Cackle comments to Miss HB that Mildred is the only one that’s landed with her cat on her broom and not stuffed in its basket like the other girls. Since it’s a rainy day, it’s hard to control the broomsticks because they go haywire once they get near water. Mildred is able to save Maud from flying into a puddle by grabbing onto her waist, but she can’t prevent Enid from flying into one. Enid begins to cry but Maud conmforts her. Then the three friends are happy to be reunited again.
Mildred notices that Miss Drill isn’t there when they arrived. She’s usually the first to greet them. Enid says maybe she’s not there or maybe she retired. She says maybe they’ll get a new gym mistress. Maud thinks a new one might be worse tho. Miss Drill Mildred notices is dressed in a grey tweed suit and a purple blouse. Her hair is in a French style.
Miss Cackle makes an announcement to cheer them up and says that there’s an opportunity for them coming up to win an indoor swimming pool. Miss HB takes over the announcements. The first is Miss Drill has decided to give up her position as gym mistress, due to a knee injury sustained during her annual rock-climbing summer holiday. have persuaded Miss Drill to stay on as class teacher to this year's Form Four. The second is glass will be fitted in all the pupils windows. The final announcement is there will be a competition to win the swimming pool.
The details of the competition are to be found on the noticeboard in the passageway next to the cloakrooms, to be discussed with your form teachers tomorrow. Also there, you will find the lists giving certain selected pupils their form tasks. Mildred, Maud, and Enid go to check out the tasks and are joined by Ethel. Ethel hopes she can get First Year Mentor so she can terrorize the first years. Meanwhile, Miss Cackle and Miss HB are discussing whether they did the right thing making the East Wing Lantern Monitor. Miss HB says (she'll just have three corridors of bedrooms, the spiral stairs, passages to the cloakrooms, the hallway inside the main door, and the two large lanterns on the school gates. As long as she sets off at twilight and lights her way out to the gates, everything will be shining brightly to light her back in again)-from the book.
. Ethel Hallow and Drusilla Paddock are doing the West Wing and all the upper floors. Miss Cackle hopes Mildred will be glad of the responsibility now that she’s a senior. But she isn’t. She vents to her friends that she’ll have to get up at dawn and douse all the candles and the hallways will be creepy and freezing. She tells Maud she’s lucky because she got first year mentor. Enid got Flower Monitor. Looking out the window, Maud sees a shooting star and Enid tells Mildred to make a wish.
The teachers see the shooting star too and they all entourage Miss HB to make a wish. She does but is disappointed when nothing happens and gets back down to business and tells them they have a challenging year ahead of them. The next morning, Mildred hasn’t gotten any sleep. Because now that they have glass on the windows, there’s been put in a bat flap for them to go in and out and they kept going in and out. Mildred says secretly sometimes she wishes she got sent to Pentangle's. They have better uniforms and get to choose their cat (the head girl does). Maud says yeah but they wouldn’t have found each other and besides Cackles isn’t *that* bad.
In class, Ethel, Drusilla, and Mildred are given their equipment (a surprisingly large canvas holdall, which contained a fire blanket, a fire extinguisher, several boxes of candles, a box of tapers, a box of matches, a large lantern with a clip on the side for a taper and a special handle (a bit like one of those holders for coffee glasses), so that the monitor could easily dip in a taper to light all the lanterns, and a snuffer for dousing the candles in the morning). She gives them the instuctions from HB to make sure they leave themselves plenty of time, their duties start at twilight that evening, to take their brooms with them -as some of the lanterns--and candelabras are very high. They can keep their broomsticks in their rooms and they don’t have to take their cats. Then she tells them about the competition.
It hasn't been decided yet which class or who in particular will be representing the school, but this competition is quite unusual, as it is more of a talent competition than the usual formal display. There will be one act representing each school, and the judges are to be the Supreme Magician, the Grand High Witch, and the Chief Wizard. The judges have stated that they want to be thoroughly entertained! The act can be anything at all, but the person or persons must have star quality (from the book). Ethel suggests a chanting choir. Enid wants to form a dance troupe. She gives Ethel’s idea the green light. Enid’s she says is inappropriate. Then she sends them out to fly to wake them up.
Ethel harasses Mildred about her cat (how it makes her flying look bad) and blames her because the Lantern team have to have so much safety equipment (probably because the teachers are scared, she’ll burn the school down). Luckily, Miss Drill comes up and gives them a flying contest with the prize a tin of caramels. Mildred quickly gets the hang of flipping open the little door at the side of each wall lantern, and lighting the candle with the taper. When she’s outside, she feels a presence watching her. She holds up her lantern and sees red eyes staring back at her. Then she hears whimpering and its coming faster and faster. She realizes it’s an animal and goes to check it out.
It's a terrified dog. Mildred is astonished. She’d wished for a dog. Just not on her first night of Lantern Duty. The dog looks as if it hasn’t been fed. It’s ribs are sticking out. Mildred finishes her task -and interestingly unlike her cat the dog sits still in the broom- and she sneaks him up to her room in the bag with the equipment. Mildred names the dog Star (after the wishing star). Maud stops by and Mildred makes up the excuse she can’t come in because she’s tired. (She’s stuffed Star in the bag and put it under the bed). But Tabby is staring under the bed stiffly. Enid notices how funny Tabs is acting, but Mildred says she always acts funny after the trip there and closes the door on Enid and Maud apologizing and says she doesn’t want Tab to get out.
Maud tells Enid somethings up. Enid says maybe she really is just tired but Maud says no she knows Mildred. Tabby is NOT at all happy to have Star there and hisses and spits. She then crawls up in the window and goes to sleep and doesn’t come to lay on Mildred’s pillow when she calls her. The next morning, Mildred goes to douse the flames and takes Star with her. She knows she has to be on the alert for Miss HB. The puppy is happy that Mildred feeds and bathes him and wants to do everything to make his new mistress proud.
Miss HB has to admit to Miss Drill that Mildred is doing well at her task and perhaps the Academy has done her some good. Miss Hardbroom decided that each class should come up with ideas for the competition and select the best one with the aid of their form mistresses--the chosen act to be handed in to the staff room. Miss Hardbroom and Miss Cackle would then consider all the suggestions carefully and post the winner on the downstairs noticeboard at the end of the week (from the book). Of course, Ethel’s idea is chosen, but Miss Drill says maybe they can throw in a little tap dancing.
Ethel’s idea surprisingly isn’t picked. Instead a Fifth Forms is of a broom ballet. Mildred feels kind of sorry for her because being the best always means so much to her. Miss Drill tells her she’ll just have to accept that someone else had the better idea than her and were more talented. She again sends them out flying and tells them at least they can get back to their other activites and all they can do is just cheer Form Five on. Things start to go so smoothly that Mildred wonders if the wishing star was a lucky star too. Even Tabby’s gotten adjusted to Star.
One misty morning, Mildred takes Star out and starts to teach him tricks on the broomstick-and he’s extremely good-. Mildred thinks if only they can have dogs on their broomsticks. She’d be the school champion. She keeps taking him out and teaching him new tricks. (He even teaches himself some like standing on his head and doing a backflip in midair that took him above the broom and over the side, with Mildred zooming underneath to catch him. Mildred invented a new trick where Star did the usual backflip with Mildred zooming underneath him. However, this time they started thirty feet up and did several backflip catches, descending very fast, so that it looked quite graceful, like a tumbling waterfall).
Mildred’s lamp-lighting duties cause her to grow a little distant from Maud and Enid. One morning, they show up at her door and insist on coming with her to help her. So, she has no choice but to show them Star and tell them how he came to her and her wish. They’re hesitant at first about him causing Mildred to get caught, but then when she shows them what he can do, they think he’s incredible and she’s increditble with him. They agree to keep her secret and say maybe HB won’t find out since she did so well hiding it from them.
Mildred, Ethel, and Maud go to watch “The Joys of Flying” and Maud is impressed and says they have a good chance of winning. Enid tho says it’s just run of the mill. Ethel tries to start something with Mildred over “thinking she’s something because she lit a few lanterns and hasn’t burned the school down” but Mildred just tells her to get lost. She wonders what Ethel would do if she found out about Star. The competition was to take place at the Supreme Magician's residence. Miss Cackle's Academy was to perform on the last day of the competition.
The morning of the competition, Ethel follows Mildred outside and says she saw Mildred yesterday -as the fog wasn’t thick- putting an animal in her bag. Mildred says it was just Tabby but Tabby then walks by. Mildred says she knew it and grabs the bag. Ethel and Mildred accidently knock over one of the lanterns and the costumes get destroyed. Miss HB sends them to the office while she attends to the costumes and then she says she’ll have to explain to everyone why they won’t be in the competition. Miss HB makes her turn the dog over to her.
Enid and Maud interrupt the meeting and start to sing Mildred and the dog’s praises and says they can save the contest. Mildred pleads with her that she’s been training Star for weeks, and they wouldn’t even have to change the name “The Joys of Flying”. She says it’s the only way to make up for what she’s done. Miss Cackle says they should at least try. Ethel gets told to stay in the office. When they stop for lunch, Mildred goes over to Fifth Form, apologizes, and askes for their support. Edna says she’s forgiven and tells her they’re behind her. Just don’t mess it up.
Mildred gives a performance that wows the judges and even impresses Miss HB. The judges announce them the winners. After this, Miss HB asks where she got the dog. She tells her she wished for him on a shooting star. Miss HB confides in her that she made a wish on the same star to win the competition. Miss HB and Miss Cackle gives Mildred the good news that Star can be her broomstick companion. She also gets to keep Tabby.
During there morning tea, Miss HB surprises the teachers with a chocolate cake and says she wants to celebrate her birthday properly. At the beginning of the book, she said her brithdays weren’t celebrated with all that fuss. She never had a cake. Miss Cackle asks if she’ll make a wish. She says as if she believes in that non-sense.
My Thoughts
Since this book was "easy" and didn't require a lot of deep thought the only thing I can say about it was, it must have been quite a sight to see Star doing all those tricks on a that broomstick. Even though I'm not "ga ga" over dogs I bet it was cute! And another thought I had was I’m kind of impressed at how much Mildred’s improved. She definitely isn’t the worst witch anymore. And the thing I’m most impressed with is she’s seemed to have gotten better on her own. So, much so that she’s taught STAR tricks when she could barely remember potions in the first couple books. NICE JOB! I’m proud of Mildred.
Rating: 6
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2025
A Whirlwind of Whimsy, Wit, and Witchy Wonder
The Worst Witch and the Wishing Chair is a delightful fusion of two beloved classics—Jill Murphy’s final tale in the Worst Witch series and the timeless enchantment of Enid Blyton’s Wishing Chair adventures. Though distinct in origin, both stories share a kindred spirit: the celebration of imagination, imperfection, and the quiet triumphs of childhood.
Murphy’s final instalment is a masterclass in gentle storytelling. Her prose is brisk yet lyrical, imbued with a warmth that feels like a well-worn cloak on a blustery day. Mildred Hubble, ever the lovable misfit, continues to charm with her earnestness and resilience. The narrative dances between mishaps and moments of magic, never losing sight of the emotional heart that has made the series so enduring. Themes of self-belief, loyalty, and the beauty of being different are handled with grace and subtlety, making this a deeply affirming read for young and old alike.
The illustrations—Murphy’s own—are as evocative as ever, capturing the whimsy and wonder of Miss Cackle’s Academy with a nostalgic glow. There’s a sense of finality here, but it’s tender rather than sombre—a farewell that honours the journey without dampening its spirit.
In contrast, Blyton’s Wishing Chair offers a more episodic structure, whisking readers from one fantastical realm to another with the boundless energy of a child’s daydream. Mollie and Peter’s adventures are brimming with pixies, giants, and magical lands, each chapter a self-contained delight. Blyton’s language is simple yet vivid, and the stories retain their charm despite the passage of time. The chair itself—capable of sprouting wings and granting wishes—is a symbol of limitless possibility, and the tales invite readers to believe in the extraordinary.
Together, these books remind us of the power of imagination and the comfort of familiar characters. Whether you’re revisiting them with nostalgic affection or discovering them anew, The Worst Witch and the Wishing Chair offers a magical escape that lingers long after the final page.
❤️✨️🧙♀️
The Worst Witch and the Wishing Chair is a delightful fusion of two beloved classics—Jill Murphy’s final tale in the Worst Witch series and the timeless enchantment of Enid Blyton’s Wishing Chair adventures. Though distinct in origin, both stories share a kindred spirit: the celebration of imagination, imperfection, and the quiet triumphs of childhood.
Murphy’s final instalment is a masterclass in gentle storytelling. Her prose is brisk yet lyrical, imbued with a warmth that feels like a well-worn cloak on a blustery day. Mildred Hubble, ever the lovable misfit, continues to charm with her earnestness and resilience. The narrative dances between mishaps and moments of magic, never losing sight of the emotional heart that has made the series so enduring. Themes of self-belief, loyalty, and the beauty of being different are handled with grace and subtlety, making this a deeply affirming read for young and old alike.
The illustrations—Murphy’s own—are as evocative as ever, capturing the whimsy and wonder of Miss Cackle’s Academy with a nostalgic glow. There’s a sense of finality here, but it’s tender rather than sombre—a farewell that honours the journey without dampening its spirit.
In contrast, Blyton’s Wishing Chair offers a more episodic structure, whisking readers from one fantastical realm to another with the boundless energy of a child’s daydream. Mollie and Peter’s adventures are brimming with pixies, giants, and magical lands, each chapter a self-contained delight. Blyton’s language is simple yet vivid, and the stories retain their charm despite the passage of time. The chair itself—capable of sprouting wings and granting wishes—is a symbol of limitless possibility, and the tales invite readers to believe in the extraordinary.
Together, these books remind us of the power of imagination and the comfort of familiar characters. Whether you’re revisiting them with nostalgic affection or discovering them anew, The Worst Witch and the Wishing Chair offers a magical escape that lingers long after the final page.
❤️✨️🧙♀️
July 31, 2022
During her fourth year at Miss Cackle's School for Witches, the teachers give "worst witch" Mildred some new responsibility, perhaps in the hope of maturing her a little. And they've got to admit, she takes her duties as East Wing Lantern Monitor very seriously. But one night during her rounds, she rescues a dog and begins hiding him in her room as yet another forbidden, secret pet. Star, as she names him, even proves to be a better broom balancer than Mildred's adorable but useless cat, Tabby. The pair secretly begin practicing aerial acrobatics, with an excellent effect on Mildred's slow-to-develop flying skills.
If you're wondering what could ruin it, you must be new to the series because, of course, the answer is Ethel Hallow, Mildred's nemesis – a horrible, snobby, entitled, jealous sneak of a girl who could give witches a bad name. Incapable of leaving Mildred alone to enjoy anything or do well in any subject, Ethel smokes out Mildred's doggy secret and interferes in her lantern monitoring in a way that just happens to sink the school's chances of winning a talent contest against other magic schools, for which the prize is a new swimming pool. Now half the school hates Mildred because they blame her for ruining their act, and the other half hopes she'll win the contest for them with her last-minute dog-and-broomstick show.
This is the seventh of the eight "Worst Witch" chapter books by the late Jill Murphy. So by now, it shouldn't be spoiling anything to point out that she wouldn't be Mildred if she didn't somehow turn disaster into triumph and worst-witchdom into heroism. With a gentle spirit, a streak of mischief, and a firm grasp of the difference between right and wrong, she's the kind of underdog (no pun intended) many kids will sympathize with and root for.
If you're wondering what could ruin it, you must be new to the series because, of course, the answer is Ethel Hallow, Mildred's nemesis – a horrible, snobby, entitled, jealous sneak of a girl who could give witches a bad name. Incapable of leaving Mildred alone to enjoy anything or do well in any subject, Ethel smokes out Mildred's doggy secret and interferes in her lantern monitoring in a way that just happens to sink the school's chances of winning a talent contest against other magic schools, for which the prize is a new swimming pool. Now half the school hates Mildred because they blame her for ruining their act, and the other half hopes she'll win the contest for them with her last-minute dog-and-broomstick show.
This is the seventh of the eight "Worst Witch" chapter books by the late Jill Murphy. So by now, it shouldn't be spoiling anything to point out that she wouldn't be Mildred if she didn't somehow turn disaster into triumph and worst-witchdom into heroism. With a gentle spirit, a streak of mischief, and a firm grasp of the difference between right and wrong, she's the kind of underdog (no pun intended) many kids will sympathize with and root for.
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