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One Witch at a Time
In this reimagining of "Jack and the Beanstalk," an unsuspecting girl brings one witch's magic into another witch's province, stirring certain disaster. "A satisfying, standalone sequel." --KIRKUS. "A clever blend of folkloric elements with fast-paced action." --SLJ. "An original, heartfelt novel." --BCCB
224 pages, Hardcover
First published February 10, 2015
About the author
Stacy DeKeyser
10 books63 followersPraise for
How to Catch a Polar Bear
:
"Funny and heartwarming" -- Booklist
"Hilarious" -- KIRKUS
Praise for The Rhino in Right Field :
"A solid home run" -- Booklist
"A winner in every way" -- KIRKUS starred review
Praise for The Brixen Witch :
"Fresh and satisfying." -- KIRKUS starred review
"Just right for reaffirming one's belief in the power of story." -- BOOKLIST starred review
"Funny and heartwarming" -- Booklist
"Hilarious" -- KIRKUS
Praise for The Rhino in Right Field :
"A solid home run" -- Booklist
"A winner in every way" -- KIRKUS starred review
Praise for The Brixen Witch :
"Fresh and satisfying." -- KIRKUS starred review
"Just right for reaffirming one's belief in the power of story." -- BOOKLIST starred review
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 16, 2015
A classic fairytale with a fun, adventurous twist...that is what Stacy DeKeyser’s One Witch at a Time is! This standalone companion to DeKeyser’s The Brixen Witch, is a reimagining of Jack and the Beanstalk.
Rudi thought his misadventures with witches was over, but an unexpected day at the market brings magic and mischief back into Rudi’s life! Witches and magic are real, but, according to the Brixen Witch, there are rules for both. Rules, like one witch’s magic must not cross over into another’s territory. But a pretty girl, a handful of beans, and a cow deal gone wrong, leads to this rule being broken. It’s up to Rudi, the maybe not-so-annoying Susanna Louisa, and the mysterious pretty girl to put things right and save the day.
One Witch at a Time is an exciting take on a classic story, full of humor; adventure; whimsical settings; and sparkling storytelling! This reimagining is clever, fast-paced, and full of unexpected twists. With the small town of Brixen and the frozen Petz, DeKeyser lays out a vivid, well-crafted world, full of whimsy and folklore, for readers to get lost in. I just loved all the unique magical elements, from the amusing not-quite-what-you’d-expect witches, to magic beans, giant beanstalks, hens who lay golden eggs, to the more subtle, inside-of-us-all touches of magic. Young readers will have so much fun joining Rudi and his friends as they climb the beanstalk, traverse the icy Petz, and go up against a surprising Giant!
DeKeyser fills this world with wonderful, likable characters! From brave Rudi, lovable Susanna, feisty Agatha, the funny Brixen Witch, and more, these characters will entertain, endear, and excite. I especially loved Rudi’s wise-cracking, more-than-meets-the-eye Oma!
Like any good fairytale, One Witch at a Time takes its characters and readers on a wildly thrilling adventure, offers up a wickedly fun baddie, throws in some important life lessons, and concludes in a Happily Ever After kind of way.
My Final Thoughts; With sparkling storytelling, amusing characters, and an exciting premise, One Witch at a Time is sure to enchant and enthrall young readers!
Rudi thought his misadventures with witches was over, but an unexpected day at the market brings magic and mischief back into Rudi’s life! Witches and magic are real, but, according to the Brixen Witch, there are rules for both. Rules, like one witch’s magic must not cross over into another’s territory. But a pretty girl, a handful of beans, and a cow deal gone wrong, leads to this rule being broken. It’s up to Rudi, the maybe not-so-annoying Susanna Louisa, and the mysterious pretty girl to put things right and save the day.
One Witch at a Time is an exciting take on a classic story, full of humor; adventure; whimsical settings; and sparkling storytelling! This reimagining is clever, fast-paced, and full of unexpected twists. With the small town of Brixen and the frozen Petz, DeKeyser lays out a vivid, well-crafted world, full of whimsy and folklore, for readers to get lost in. I just loved all the unique magical elements, from the amusing not-quite-what-you’d-expect witches, to magic beans, giant beanstalks, hens who lay golden eggs, to the more subtle, inside-of-us-all touches of magic. Young readers will have so much fun joining Rudi and his friends as they climb the beanstalk, traverse the icy Petz, and go up against a surprising Giant!
DeKeyser fills this world with wonderful, likable characters! From brave Rudi, lovable Susanna, feisty Agatha, the funny Brixen Witch, and more, these characters will entertain, endear, and excite. I especially loved Rudi’s wise-cracking, more-than-meets-the-eye Oma!
Like any good fairytale, One Witch at a Time takes its characters and readers on a wildly thrilling adventure, offers up a wickedly fun baddie, throws in some important life lessons, and concludes in a Happily Ever After kind of way.
My Final Thoughts; With sparkling storytelling, amusing characters, and an exciting premise, One Witch at a Time is sure to enchant and enthrall young readers!
March 22, 2015
There’s trouble in Brixen, and Rudi knows he better get a handle on it. A stranger has come to town, offering to trade magic beans. Pretty soon, Rudi finds himself climbing up a beanstalk in a desperate attempt to return the beans to the giant who owns them.
There are witches along with giants and magic beans and gifted chickens in this lovely spin on the classic Jack and the Beanstalk. A fun read.
There are witches along with giants and magic beans and gifted chickens in this lovely spin on the classic Jack and the Beanstalk. A fun read.
October 29, 2016
This was good. I read it in about three hours. Definitely worth reading.
June 26, 2017
This is a Jack and the Beanstalk retelling and it has it's twists and turns that made it a very fun and enjoyable read. I went into the book not knowing anything about it except there were witches on the cover and I was really impressed. I know this is a stand alone/sequel book to The Brixen Witch and I am very excited to pick that book asap. I would recommend this book to everyone who likes middle grade, fantasy, fairy tale retellings and of course witches.
December 20, 2019
Staff Pick
Heather
Magic abounds in this twist on Jack and the Beanstalk. Follow Rudi and Susanna Louisa on their quest to return some magic beans to their proper place, and see what the consequences are when magic goes where it doesn't belong.
J DEK
Heather
Magic abounds in this twist on Jack and the Beanstalk. Follow Rudi and Susanna Louisa on their quest to return some magic beans to their proper place, and see what the consequences are when magic goes where it doesn't belong.
J DEK
April 22, 2015
Rudi is back. He is first introduced in the book, "The Brixen Witch" showing a knack for getting into pickles of some sort or another that are not entirely his doing.Yet, he shoulders the responsibility when fixing the problem falls on him. He does not blame others even when he can or maybe should. Internally, his character arc shows a boy that has become smarter about life through his adventure. He thinks about what it means to be a hero and have public glory but decides later that he doesn't do what he does for adoration. He just does what has to be done. The character arc lags at times but comes on strong at the end as Rudi thinks on what makes good leaders or heroes - it implies that greedy people are not fit to lead and heroes can lose sight of what is important if they act for public recognition. Rudi is the unsung hero who has learned that this path is best for him. The twisty ending is a terrific contrast from the classic "Jack and the Beanstalk."
Rudi is ambushed by nine-year-old Susanna on his way to the market to sell a cow. The family has fallen on hard times and needs food for the table. A foreign girl is trying to sell something in the market. Rudi finds her attractive, but not enough to sell his cow for some lousy beans. Susanna, on the other hand, recognizes the beans as magic and sells the cow behind his back setting into motion a plague on the town of Brixen. Everyone knows that magic brings trouble and the Brixen Witch knows that magic from another town must be returned for balance to be restored. Rudi is called upon to right the wrong in this action-filled adventure.
While Susanna's character is spot-on, Agatha's character wasn't rounded out enough. Writing a good plot can be tricky business. You want to tease the reader along, but don't want to give away too much to soon. You don't want to be too obvious because you threaten to bore the reader and slow the pace. You also don't want the characters acting in ways that don't make sense and develop them at the same time. Too many questions surround Agatha at the beginning and Rudi doesn't ask the questions like people normally would when they have been scammed by someone.
It doesn't make sense that Agatha would steal beans, try to sell them, then help Rudi return them. Her motives are obvious that she is not to be trusted. Also Rudi never forces her to explain herself as a normal person would. He just looks at her starry-eyed and accepts everything she says. He comes off really naive which is contrary to a boy that has already saved his village. Agatha shows a person constantly serving her own self-interests. While this story has good descriptions and dialogue, the plot involving Agatha is too obvious making it feel forced. But again, I'm an adult reader. Perhaps it won't be obvious to 3rd or 4th graders.
This works as a stand alone, but I suggest reading "The Brixen Witch." It is well-written and the reader will feel like he or she knows Rudi better. The ending and its twist on "Jack and the Beanstalk," was unexpected and funny. If you like fractured fairy tales, then you will like this one.
Rudi is ambushed by nine-year-old Susanna on his way to the market to sell a cow. The family has fallen on hard times and needs food for the table. A foreign girl is trying to sell something in the market. Rudi finds her attractive, but not enough to sell his cow for some lousy beans. Susanna, on the other hand, recognizes the beans as magic and sells the cow behind his back setting into motion a plague on the town of Brixen. Everyone knows that magic brings trouble and the Brixen Witch knows that magic from another town must be returned for balance to be restored. Rudi is called upon to right the wrong in this action-filled adventure.
While Susanna's character is spot-on, Agatha's character wasn't rounded out enough. Writing a good plot can be tricky business. You want to tease the reader along, but don't want to give away too much to soon. You don't want to be too obvious because you threaten to bore the reader and slow the pace. You also don't want the characters acting in ways that don't make sense and develop them at the same time. Too many questions surround Agatha at the beginning and Rudi doesn't ask the questions like people normally would when they have been scammed by someone.
It doesn't make sense that Agatha would steal beans, try to sell them, then help Rudi return them. Her motives are obvious that she is not to be trusted. Also Rudi never forces her to explain herself as a normal person would. He just looks at her starry-eyed and accepts everything she says. He comes off really naive which is contrary to a boy that has already saved his village. Agatha shows a person constantly serving her own self-interests. While this story has good descriptions and dialogue, the plot involving Agatha is too obvious making it feel forced. But again, I'm an adult reader. Perhaps it won't be obvious to 3rd or 4th graders.
This works as a stand alone, but I suggest reading "The Brixen Witch." It is well-written and the reader will feel like he or she knows Rudi better. The ending and its twist on "Jack and the Beanstalk," was unexpected and funny. If you like fractured fairy tales, then you will like this one.
July 3, 2015
Nice for the target age group. Full review to come.
Originally posted on Small Review
One Witch at a Time is a companion novel to Stacy DeKeyser's The Brixen Witch, but it can easily read as a standalone (I haven't read TBW and I didn't feel like I was missing anything).
I'm going to start off this review with my only real gripe: The cover needs to be changed. Main character Rudi is a boy and One Witch at a Time can easily appeal to boys just as much as girls.
But that cover? Total girl cover. Boys are unlikely to pick up this book, and that's a shame. The cover is also super misleading—think it's about two girl witches? Think again! The story has nothing to do with that. It is also written in a classic, timeless tone, which also contrasts with the spunky modern cover.
One Witch at a Time reads like a classic '90s era middle grade book. Think books like The Cay, My Side of the Mountain, Island of the Blue Dolphins, and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Staples of English classroom shelves. Books with solid stories and staying power. Books with awards on their covers.
The story itself is a loose twist on the Jack and the Beanstalk tale but with a ton of original elements and characters thrown into the mix. Male and female characters are given equal weight and the camaraderie among them was pleasant to read. Rudi is a good boy with good morals and multiple positive relationships. The story moves at a nice, steady pace—never rushing, but never slow either.
The resolution takes the same steady pace, wrapping up without much fuss but still managing not to feel anticlimactic. I figured out the end very early on, but I don't think this would be a problem for the target audience (younger middle grade).
Bottom line
A solid choice for school libraries and middle grade readers. Remove the awful, misleading dust jacket and be sure to share this one with boys as well as girls. Recommended.
Originally posted on Small Review
Originally posted on Small Review
One Witch at a Time is a companion novel to Stacy DeKeyser's The Brixen Witch, but it can easily read as a standalone (I haven't read TBW and I didn't feel like I was missing anything).
I'm going to start off this review with my only real gripe: The cover needs to be changed. Main character Rudi is a boy and One Witch at a Time can easily appeal to boys just as much as girls.
But that cover? Total girl cover. Boys are unlikely to pick up this book, and that's a shame. The cover is also super misleading—think it's about two girl witches? Think again! The story has nothing to do with that. It is also written in a classic, timeless tone, which also contrasts with the spunky modern cover.
One Witch at a Time reads like a classic '90s era middle grade book. Think books like The Cay, My Side of the Mountain, Island of the Blue Dolphins, and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Staples of English classroom shelves. Books with solid stories and staying power. Books with awards on their covers.
The story itself is a loose twist on the Jack and the Beanstalk tale but with a ton of original elements and characters thrown into the mix. Male and female characters are given equal weight and the camaraderie among them was pleasant to read. Rudi is a good boy with good morals and multiple positive relationships. The story moves at a nice, steady pace—never rushing, but never slow either.
The resolution takes the same steady pace, wrapping up without much fuss but still managing not to feel anticlimactic. I figured out the end very early on, but I don't think this would be a problem for the target audience (younger middle grade).
Bottom line
A solid choice for school libraries and middle grade readers. Remove the awful, misleading dust jacket and be sure to share this one with boys as well as girls. Recommended.
Originally posted on Small Review
February 19, 2015
One Witch at a Time takes the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk to a new level. Rudi sets out to town and finds that his friend Susanne has promised a strange girl his cow in exchange for handful of supposedly magic beans. He’s worried that the girl will cash in on one of their few cows and heads back, with magic beans and Susanne in toe. Rudi references the previous book that deals with a Pied Piper retelling and how he saved the town, making him more aware of the possibility of magic. Even so, Rudi doesn’t trust these beans are magic, until his grandmother tells him to check with their town witch.
Rudi and Susanne end up on an adventure that risks the lives of themselves and all those around them. Agatha is a strong-headed girl from the land that the beanstalks lead to called Petz. She has stolen from the giant witch who rules in a large castle and is troll-like. She cannot help but want to stop his evil ways from making her people suffer. Although Rudi must do the right thing by returning the beans to their rightful place in the giant’s castle, he knows he must also help Agatha.
I love the balance of magic talk that the Brixen Witch has with Rudi and how the story molds around the idea that even if magic is used, there’s a balance for it. I enjoyed the adventure and the characters’ interactions with one another. One Witch at a Time definitely a book I would recommend to my students that love fairy tales.
Verdict:
A fun retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk with some interesting twists and characters thrown in to make it more original.
Rudi and Susanne end up on an adventure that risks the lives of themselves and all those around them. Agatha is a strong-headed girl from the land that the beanstalks lead to called Petz. She has stolen from the giant witch who rules in a large castle and is troll-like. She cannot help but want to stop his evil ways from making her people suffer. Although Rudi must do the right thing by returning the beans to their rightful place in the giant’s castle, he knows he must also help Agatha.
I love the balance of magic talk that the Brixen Witch has with Rudi and how the story molds around the idea that even if magic is used, there’s a balance for it. I enjoyed the adventure and the characters’ interactions with one another. One Witch at a Time definitely a book I would recommend to my students that love fairy tales.
Verdict:
A fun retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk with some interesting twists and characters thrown in to make it more original.
April 3, 2015
Poor Rudi, this time he finds himself up to his neck in magical adventures through no fault of his own. On a trip to a nearby fair to trade for supplies, a neighbor girl trades one of his families precious cows for magic beans. In a panic, he rushes home to prevent the loss of the cow, but a bean gets planted by Susanna and his grandmother tells him he needs to once again visit the Brixen witch. This leads him on a journey to a foreign land with giant witch who is angry over the loss of some of his magic. Reminiscent of Jack and the Beanstalk, the story includes mysterious girls, magic beans, a hen that lays golden eggs, and witches.
I enjoyed the book. It has just enough adventure to be enjoyable and interesting characters to follow. Rudi is definitely a reluctant hero, he would rather avoid the trouble that seems to follow him around. I find this interesting because it seems to me being a hero really is a lot of trouble. What makes Rudi a true hero is his accepting responsibility even though it is the last thing he wants to do, his internal struggle felt very real. An enjoyable read that works perfectly for the audience, especially for those who don't want the more violent, 500-page fantasies.
I enjoyed the book. It has just enough adventure to be enjoyable and interesting characters to follow. Rudi is definitely a reluctant hero, he would rather avoid the trouble that seems to follow him around. I find this interesting because it seems to me being a hero really is a lot of trouble. What makes Rudi a true hero is his accepting responsibility even though it is the last thing he wants to do, his internal struggle felt very real. An enjoyable read that works perfectly for the audience, especially for those who don't want the more violent, 500-page fantasies.
May 13, 2015
Loosely based on the fairytale “Jack and the Beanstalk”, the trouble begins when 13 year old Rudi is sent to market with Susanna to trade dairy products for meat and grain and possibly sell a cow. Susanna, in an effort to help him, sells one of his cows for some allegedly magic beans. It turns out that the beans were stolen from a witch in the neighboring village of Petz and must be returned quickly, so they set out on an adventure to return them. Of course there’s a beanstalk, a giant, a hen that lays golden eggs, witches and all kinds of twists and turns. This tween book is a quick, humorous read with just enough fun and enchantment to keep the pages turning.
Sharyn H. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.
September 28, 2015
Readers who enjoyed the inventive Brixen Witch will find more to like in this stand-alone tale about Rudi and the intrepid Susanna Louise. No one has enough to eat, and it was a hard winter. Rudi is sent to market with cheeses and butter to sell, and if he strikes a good bargain, he can also sell one of his family's cows. But a strange girl from another place is also at the market, and one thing leads to another--and to Rudi's horror, he learns that Susanna Louise has sold his family's cow for a handful of magic beans. And so begins an adventuresome ordeal that involves a Giant (the witch of Petz) and the Brixen Witch, and a great amount of Rudi's own perseverance and courage. DeKeyser offers another clever story with a satisfying plot twist. 4th grade and up.
February 24, 2019
I needed something to read. I wasn't ready for a regular 400-500 page book, although my "to be read" shelf contains a bunch of those... so I picked this one up. Saw it was geared towards a younger me, and was only 202 pages...perfect.
The story is a take on Jack and the Beanstalk. I love how it takes you into the story and makes you wonder is there really a witch? Can they do the things people say? Even if you really shouldn't ever talk about it. LOVED it. Picked it up and noon, took a break and then finished it up after dinner. Jus really enjoyed the story and think it would be great to read chapter by chapter to my grandson!
The story is a take on Jack and the Beanstalk. I love how it takes you into the story and makes you wonder is there really a witch? Can they do the things people say? Even if you really shouldn't ever talk about it. LOVED it. Picked it up and noon, took a break and then finished it up after dinner. Jus really enjoyed the story and think it would be great to read chapter by chapter to my grandson!
March 3, 2015
You know what, you guys need to read Stacy DeKeyser's One Witch at a Time! This has been one of my favorite middle grade fairy tale re-imagings that I have read in quite some time.
Trust me, you'll want to see my full review on my blog to know why exactly I enjoyed One Witch at a Time by Stacy DeKeyser so much.
Trust me, you'll want to see my full review on my blog to know why exactly I enjoyed One Witch at a Time by Stacy DeKeyser so much.
Currently Reading
February 19, 2015Hosting a giveaway for The Brixen Witch and One Witch at a Time on my blog: http://www.readnowsleeplater.org/blog...
Decided to stop reading OWT until I get The Brixen Witch from the library! I think you can read them out of order, but I like it enough to read the first book *first*.
Decided to stop reading OWT until I get The Brixen Witch from the library! I think you can read them out of order, but I like it enough to read the first book *first*.
June 5, 2016
I loved this book! Colorful and imaginative! I was pre-reading to share with my young girls and found myself reading straight through. I believe my three girls all of different ages will enjoy this book and it will be fun to share with them. While based on a fairy tale and I have heard it has a companion book it stands alone for me. Sweet, fun, and a good read!
November 7, 2015
As a disclaimer, I received a copy of "One Witch at a Time" from the publisher.
I liked it. As with the previous volume in the series, "The Brixen Witch," "One Witch at a Time" takes a well known fairy tale, this time Jack and the Beanstalk, and builds a world around it. Recommended for younger audiences.
I liked it. As with the previous volume in the series, "The Brixen Witch," "One Witch at a Time" takes a well known fairy tale, this time Jack and the Beanstalk, and builds a world around it. Recommended for younger audiences.
August 20, 2023
Even better than the first Brixen book, I really enjoyed this unique retelling of the classic Jack and the Beanstalk. I would love to see other clasdic tales retold from Rudi's point of view.
March 9, 2015
A harsh winter has taken its toll on Rudi’s village of Brixen. Carrying a portion of his dairy farm’s dwindling supply of cheese and butter, he sets off for the market in a nearby town to trade for food, taking the pesky daughter of a friend along. But when Susanna Louisa trades a whole cow to a pretty foreign girl for a handful of beans, Rudi’s troubles truly begin.
One Witch at a Time by Stacy DeKeyser reimagines the Jack in the Beanstalk tale, expanding and updating it for modern readers. Here, a whole community surrounds Rudi. When he sets off with Susanna Louisa to visit the witch who lives in the mountain and set things right, he begins an adventure that will have him figuring out how to return things where they rightfully belong, address injustice for oppressed villagers, and earn the respect of those closest to him. It’s a tall order for a 13-year-old, but Rudi shows he’s up to the task.
While the basics of the tale are well known—a boy, a giant, a beanstalk—DeKeyser creates so much more by providing rich detail about the place and the people in it. She also makes a few changes that will delight young readers. Rudi’s town of Brixen, the far-off icy village of Petz, two magic witches, and one clever grandmother all combine to make One Witch at a Time a compelling book for kids to read on their own or for parents to read to them. I highly recommend it for young readers and mother-daughter book clubs with girls aged 8 to 12.
The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
One Witch at a Time by Stacy DeKeyser reimagines the Jack in the Beanstalk tale, expanding and updating it for modern readers. Here, a whole community surrounds Rudi. When he sets off with Susanna Louisa to visit the witch who lives in the mountain and set things right, he begins an adventure that will have him figuring out how to return things where they rightfully belong, address injustice for oppressed villagers, and earn the respect of those closest to him. It’s a tall order for a 13-year-old, but Rudi shows he’s up to the task.
While the basics of the tale are well known—a boy, a giant, a beanstalk—DeKeyser creates so much more by providing rich detail about the place and the people in it. She also makes a few changes that will delight young readers. Rudi’s town of Brixen, the far-off icy village of Petz, two magic witches, and one clever grandmother all combine to make One Witch at a Time a compelling book for kids to read on their own or for parents to read to them. I highly recommend it for young readers and mother-daughter book clubs with girls aged 8 to 12.
The author provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 16, 2015
One Witch at a Time takes a spin on the traditional ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ tale. Rudi Bauer just wanted to have a good, successful day at the market place when his neighbor, Susanna Louisa, sells his family cow for beans. When the beans prove to be magical, magic from a source they shouldn’t have, Rudi, Susanna, and a strange girl named Agatha go on a journey they won’t forget.
The premise for this story is adorable. The twists on ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ are fun and different, especially the use of the beanstalks. Susanna and Rudi both feel realistic and true to their ages. Rudi’s desire to be seen as worthy and noticeable will settle with many readers his age, as will his reluctant but brotherly relationship with Susanna. The frequent appearances of the Brixen Witch are hilarious and enjoyable as well.
As much as I enjoyed the premise, the plot fell a bit flat for me. Though the novel is short, the pacing drags at times, and it leads to a disappointing climax. The witch of Petz feels one-dimensional, and there is little urgency in defeating him. Agatha and Rudi wrap up their journey easily with little room for character development. However, Agatha and Rudi are still charming, and they work well together as a team.
Though this story had areas that left me wanting more, this is an overall entertaining story, perfect for readers looking for a quick and fun read. The premise is imaginative and delightful, and this would make a good choice for fans of unique retellings.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfic...
The premise for this story is adorable. The twists on ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ are fun and different, especially the use of the beanstalks. Susanna and Rudi both feel realistic and true to their ages. Rudi’s desire to be seen as worthy and noticeable will settle with many readers his age, as will his reluctant but brotherly relationship with Susanna. The frequent appearances of the Brixen Witch are hilarious and enjoyable as well.
As much as I enjoyed the premise, the plot fell a bit flat for me. Though the novel is short, the pacing drags at times, and it leads to a disappointing climax. The witch of Petz feels one-dimensional, and there is little urgency in defeating him. Agatha and Rudi wrap up their journey easily with little room for character development. However, Agatha and Rudi are still charming, and they work well together as a team.
Though this story had areas that left me wanting more, this is an overall entertaining story, perfect for readers looking for a quick and fun read. The premise is imaginative and delightful, and this would make a good choice for fans of unique retellings.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfic...
August 23, 2015
Very enjoyable book. My biggest gripe: looking at the cover, would you believe that this book has a boy main character, and that the two witches (who play relatively minor roles despite the cover) are an elderly witch and the giant from the beanstalk? I have never seen a more misleading cover, which is unfortunate. This book has a lot of boy appeal but very few boys would ever pick it up with a cover like that. I don't know how it got created and approved.
August 15, 2015
Colorful cover, but it really doesn't reflect the story. This story is a 'take off' of Jack and the Bean Stalk. Fun parody, which adventure. There are 2 protagonists, a boy and a girl. The story could easily be enjoyed by both boys and girls.
While this part of the Brixen Witch series, I didn't read the first one. Both books can stand alone.
While this part of the Brixen Witch series, I didn't read the first one. Both books can stand alone.
June 9, 2017
Except for the cat, the cover has nothing to do with the book. It's a retelling of Jack and Beanstalk. Although the way the magic works it reminds me more of Oz or similar than the original story.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comm...
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2017/comm...
July 5, 2015
A new spin on Jack and the Beanstalk
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews