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The Worst Witch #3
A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch
A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch is the third of Jill Murphy's much-loved The Worst Witch series, starring the lovable but disaster-prone Mildred Hubble - possibly the worst witch ever to go to Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches . . . A new term spells disaster for Mildred! After a disastrous first year, Mildred is determined to lose her embarrassing reputation as the worst witch Miss Cackle's Academy has ever seen - but things rapidly get out of hand when her arch-enemy Ethel turns her into a frog... Jill Murphy started putting books together (literally with a stapler), when she was six. The Worst Witch was first published in 1974 and this much-loved classic has been enjoyed by readers for more than 30 years. Jill Murphy also written and illustrated several award-winning picture books for younger children. If you'd like to read more of Mildred's disastrous adventures at Miss Cackle's Academy The Worst Witch, The Worst Witch Strikes Again, The Worst Witch All at Sea, The Worst Witch Saves the Day, The Worst Witch to the Rescue and The Worst Witch and the Wishing Star are also available from Puffin and are perfect for children aged 5-9.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
131 people are currently reading
1536 people want to read
About the author
Jill Murphy
87 books341 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 212 reviews
August 30, 2020
After the mediocre The Worst Witch Strikes Again, author Jill Murphy completely redeems herself with A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch.
The impulsive and accident-prone self-styled “worst witch” Mildred Hubble returns for her second year at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches; she’s happily reunited with her pals, Maud Spellbody and Enid Nightshade and, unfortunately, with her nemesis, Ethel Hollow, an arrogant straight-A student. To tell more would be to ruin the surprise, but let’s just say that it’s not a spoiler to reveal that the titular bad spell is a literal one.
The impulsive and accident-prone self-styled “worst witch” Mildred Hubble returns for her second year at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches; she’s happily reunited with her pals, Maud Spellbody and Enid Nightshade and, unfortunately, with her nemesis, Ethel Hollow, an arrogant straight-A student. To tell more would be to ruin the surprise, but let’s just say that it’s not a spoiler to reveal that the titular bad spell is a literal one.
November 30, 2015
OOOOH, ETHEL! ONE DAY YOU'LL REALLY GET YOURS!
The bad spell ends well for poor Mildred, making her the school's hero, and partially thanks to Ethel. I'm also glad to see that the snotty Ethel got a bit of a comeuppance in this one, and I'd like to see more comeuppancing in future books, the awful little snitch!
The bad spell ends well for poor Mildred, making her the school's hero, and partially thanks to Ethel. I'm also glad to see that the snotty Ethel got a bit of a comeuppance in this one, and I'd like to see more comeuppancing in future books, the awful little snitch!
November 5, 2021
Mostly cute and enjoyable, and my feelings about the first book hold true for this. Except I do wish Mildred had figured out a better way to accomplish what she needed to do at the end. I know she did it for a greater good and felt remorse for the way she had to go about it, but it felt more like a Slytherin move than a Hufflepuff or Gryffindor one.
January 7, 2018
3.5 - This was a trip back to the past for me. Loved reading the whole series when I was younger and love just the same now.
October 20, 2022
This series never disappoints. I live for the witchy fun, witty antics, and adorable kitties. An October favorite of mine for sure.
October 11, 2023
The moral of this story seems to be don't tell lies or no-one will believe you when you'll actually will be telling the truth. Which... you know, true, but a little bit unoriginal when it comes to children fiction. I also thought that Mildred kind of had it coming in this one, because... you know, I don't think Ethel actually over-reacted that much. True you probably shouldn't be turning your classmates into frogs but considering that Mildred turned her into a pig in the first book, all of this doesn't seem so out of the line 🤭
Overall, this was a nice installment but not my favourite. Looking forward to the next book The Worst Witch All at Sea, because I actually didn't read that one before!
Miss Hardbroom still rules even though the books are making her more and more a bully and she has a distinct Umbridge air in this one (the sentences writing...).
Overall, this was a nice installment but not my favourite. Looking forward to the next book The Worst Witch All at Sea, because I actually didn't read that one before!
Miss Hardbroom still rules even though the books are making her more and more a bully and she has a distinct Umbridge air in this one (the sentences writing...).
June 5, 2021
It's 4 am and I don't know why I'm reading these books. Send help, please—
December 27, 2022
Nu mi se pare că Mildred e o vrăjitoare îngrozitoare, doar că atunci când începe să facă ceva crede că îi va ieși bine, dar se întâmplă exact opusul. Eu cred că ea e doar inventivă, dar uneori o cam ia valul.
September 15, 2025
This one has one of my favourite scenes of the TV show! The bucket over Hardbroom's head 😂
These are really fun to get through and are quite fast reads, I'm glad to finally get acquainted with the original material.
These are really fun to get through and are quite fast reads, I'm glad to finally get acquainted with the original material.
March 15, 2023
My favourite one yet, although they do all seem to have the same ending, but this one was nicely different
August 30, 2012
I'm pretty sure this book actually became a chapter of the TV series. I strongly remember the frog bit. I just keep falling in love with all the characters, and reading this book reminded me so much of the TV series and my childhood.
December 8, 2015
It was so adorable, Mil really trying to be a better wich,full of good intentions but somehow she ends up being in trouble again. A transformation spell involved, so Mil goes into an unconventional adventure and finds a friend in a bizarre predicament. I remember this book been in the TV series.
October 18, 2019
Mildred finds herself back at the Academy once again at odds with Ethel.
In my favourite book of the series so far, Mildred gets in a sticky situation that gas a very happy ending.
In my favourite book of the series so far, Mildred gets in a sticky situation that gas a very happy ending.
November 25, 2020
I loved this story. So great to re-read an old favourite!
December 9, 2020
You can definitely tell these are just like the show but the show tries to add more drama. Still I love Mildred persistence!
Read
February 5, 2023the child in me still loves it
February 12, 2022
The flaws outweigh the fun in this one. Maud should not have been put on a diet. Kidnapping is just plain wrong. Maud and Enid would not have disbelieved Mildred's report on Algernon. Mildred really should have learned by now to be less impulsive... she's like the boy who cried wolf and is always going to get blamed & never trusted. And why is she even in this miserable school? It's cold, damp, germy, w/ a form mistress who terrifies all the girls except "the form sneak" who is the 'pet' and it's not even a good fit for Mildred.
The books are short enough that I'll go on for awhile hoping something develops, but for goodness sake it just doesn't seem promising.
The books are short enough that I'll go on for awhile hoping something develops, but for goodness sake it just doesn't seem promising.
October 21, 2022
Worst witch 3 (by Jill Murphy)
It is Mildreds second year in the school,
But the thing that turns her smile upside-down,
is that Miss Hardbroom will be her form teacher AGAIN!
And Ethel is still on Mildreds judge when she turns Mildred into a frog,
How Will Mildred Turn BACK...?
READ MORE TO FIND OUT
Freya
It is Mildreds second year in the school,
But the thing that turns her smile upside-down,
is that Miss Hardbroom will be her form teacher AGAIN!
And Ethel is still on Mildreds judge when she turns Mildred into a frog,
How Will Mildred Turn BACK...?
READ MORE TO FIND OUT
Freya
July 8, 2018
Review to come :)
June 30, 2020
Rather a funny book and I love all of the frogs and how mister Algernon had been a frog for a really long time and how mildered was right about the frog being a human
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2020
I think you'll like this book I absolutely did
February 10, 2021
The first chapter book I’ve read with the SH. She was intrigued but not really follow much of the plot, but she really is too young, in hindsight.
I, however, enjoyed reading this again a great deal. Was one of my favourites around age 7, and it still stacks up pretty well :)
I, however, enjoyed reading this again a great deal. Was one of my favourites around age 7, and it still stacks up pretty well :)
October 26, 2021
This was nice, but it didn't keep my attention very well. I wasn't too interested in the storyline here. But. here's to hoping that the next story is a bit better.
April 3, 2023
Another read with my little girl. This one was a lot of fun.
February 23, 2025
What’s not to love about Mildred, yet another taking me right back to my childhood days and love of The Worst Witch!
April 23, 2022
It's amazing I love it and will read it over and over again until I get attached to a new book just as good as this one I recommend you go and get this book to reserve though I am not done with my first time reading this book I'm only half way I still think that you should give it a chance
March 25, 2023
The better book so far.
April 28, 2022
This one was just as enjoyable as the previous installments but it seemed to end rather suddenly. The pacing was the same as other books, with a lot happening with Mildred, her friends and her enemy Ethel.
For the third time, most of the story is centered on Mildred but this time she was being spelled by Ethel. Not much character or world developement happens either which is slightly disappointing. At the very least I think it would be nice to learn more lore about the school or world at large.
Still a good read for a younger audience.
For the third time, most of the story is centered on Mildred but this time she was being spelled by Ethel. Not much character or world developement happens either which is slightly disappointing. At the very least I think it would be nice to learn more lore about the school or world at large.
Still a good read for a younger audience.
October 5, 2020
Excellent entry to the series, the best Worst Witch book so far. Mildred's escapades as a toad were a fun part of the story, this was an episode which any lazy writer would cover in just one chapter but Murphy here expands and gives the story depth. I also love that there's been an old wizard living as a toad in the school pond, ever since a really bad conference fifty years ago.
March 19, 2025
⭐ 3.75/5 Stars ⭐
The Worst Witch series continues to charm with its lighthearted magic and delightful storytelling, and A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch is a return to form after a slightly weaker second installment. This third book recaptures the whimsical, mischievous energy that made the first book so enjoyable, bringing back the lovable chaos that follows Mildred Hubble wherever she goes.
One of the things I appreciate most about Jill Murphy’s writing is how well she balances humor and heart. Mildred remains an incredibly relatable protagonist—not the most talented witch at Miss Cackle’s Academy, but certainly the most determined. Her well-meaning but clumsy nature makes her easy to root for, and her struggles feel both funny and endearing.
This time, the stakes are higher as Mildred finds herself dealing with a particularly tricky magical mishap, and I found the pacing of the story to be well-executed. The plot unfolds in a way that keeps younger readers engaged while still offering nostalgic charm for adults revisiting the series. The interactions between Mildred, her teachers, and her rival Ethel continue to be a highlight, with just the right amount of tension and humor to keep things interesting.
Overall, A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch brings the series back to its original magic. It doesn’t necessarily break new ground, but it delivers exactly what it promises—a fun, cozy, and charming adventure that’s perfect for fans of magical school settings. While it doesn’t quite reach the level of some other beloved witchy books, it’s a fantastic addition to the series and an enjoyable read for all ages.
📖 Have you read The Worst Witch series? What are your thoughts on Mildred’s magical mishaps? Let’s chat in the comments!
The Worst Witch series continues to charm with its lighthearted magic and delightful storytelling, and A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch is a return to form after a slightly weaker second installment. This third book recaptures the whimsical, mischievous energy that made the first book so enjoyable, bringing back the lovable chaos that follows Mildred Hubble wherever she goes.
One of the things I appreciate most about Jill Murphy’s writing is how well she balances humor and heart. Mildred remains an incredibly relatable protagonist—not the most talented witch at Miss Cackle’s Academy, but certainly the most determined. Her well-meaning but clumsy nature makes her easy to root for, and her struggles feel both funny and endearing.
This time, the stakes are higher as Mildred finds herself dealing with a particularly tricky magical mishap, and I found the pacing of the story to be well-executed. The plot unfolds in a way that keeps younger readers engaged while still offering nostalgic charm for adults revisiting the series. The interactions between Mildred, her teachers, and her rival Ethel continue to be a highlight, with just the right amount of tension and humor to keep things interesting.
Overall, A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch brings the series back to its original magic. It doesn’t necessarily break new ground, but it delivers exactly what it promises—a fun, cozy, and charming adventure that’s perfect for fans of magical school settings. While it doesn’t quite reach the level of some other beloved witchy books, it’s a fantastic addition to the series and an enjoyable read for all ages.
📖 Have you read The Worst Witch series? What are your thoughts on Mildred’s magical mishaps? Let’s chat in the comments!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews