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The Power of Poppy Pendle
The Daring of Della Dupree
Matilda meets The Penderwicks in this charming, magical story about a young witch who accidentally travels back in time—the fourth in the “effervescent” (Kirkus Reviews) Poppy Pendle series.
Della Dupree has the so-called honor of being named after the legendary founder of the prestigious witchcraft school, Ruthersfield Academy. Her namesake left incredibly big shoes to fill, and most days, Della doesn’t feel like she’s up to the task. No matter how hard she tries, Della’s magic seems middling, her spells sad, and her charms not so charming. Deep down, Della feels she will never do the academy founder proud.
Then one morning Della is in the library early to work on her spells before class. Thinking about her name again, she finds herself chanting, “Twelve twenty-three, twelve twenty-three, Ruthersfield was founded by Witch Dupree.” But the open closet of time travel amulets nearby means her careless words have serious consequences. A mysterious wind gusts through the library and sweeps Della back to the year 1223. She ends up alone in a strange time with no idea how to get back home.
Della has never had much confidence in her magic, but left with no choice, she must use her spells and ingenuity to find her way back across the centuries—and maybe finally feel she’s earned her name.
Della Dupree has the so-called honor of being named after the legendary founder of the prestigious witchcraft school, Ruthersfield Academy. Her namesake left incredibly big shoes to fill, and most days, Della doesn’t feel like she’s up to the task. No matter how hard she tries, Della’s magic seems middling, her spells sad, and her charms not so charming. Deep down, Della feels she will never do the academy founder proud.
Then one morning Della is in the library early to work on her spells before class. Thinking about her name again, she finds herself chanting, “Twelve twenty-three, twelve twenty-three, Ruthersfield was founded by Witch Dupree.” But the open closet of time travel amulets nearby means her careless words have serious consequences. A mysterious wind gusts through the library and sweeps Della back to the year 1223. She ends up alone in a strange time with no idea how to get back home.
Della has never had much confidence in her magic, but left with no choice, she must use her spells and ingenuity to find her way back across the centuries—and maybe finally feel she’s earned her name.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published July 21, 2020
18 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Natasha Lowe
7 books73 followersFrom here face book page (https://www.facebook.com/natashalowe....)
About:
Natasha Lowe is the author of "The Power of Poppy Pendle" and companion book "The Courage of Cat Campbell" (late 2014) -both published by Simon & Schuster.
Biography:
Natasha Lowe knew as a child that she wanted to be either a writer, an adventurer, or a fancy tea-shop owner. So she did a little bit of everything, traveling from her native London to America, where she ran the Tea House bed-and-breakfast and wowed guests with her grandmother's shortbread recipe. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and four children.
About:
Natasha Lowe is the author of "The Power of Poppy Pendle" and companion book "The Courage of Cat Campbell" (late 2014) -both published by Simon & Schuster.
Biography:
Natasha Lowe knew as a child that she wanted to be either a writer, an adventurer, or a fancy tea-shop owner. So she did a little bit of everything, traveling from her native London to America, where she ran the Tea House bed-and-breakfast and wowed guests with her grandmother's shortbread recipe. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and four children.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 7, 2020
Wow! Now I can’t decide if I liked Mabel or Della better! Lol so I’ll just say they’re both amazing. Wow! Sometimes when you get to the 4th book in a series(sometimes the 2nd even) it starts to lose something, or just not be as good as the 1st. That isn’t the case here. These just kept getting better & better. I loved them all from the 1st too. Della’s story was so fascinating, & I just couldn’t put it down. This was so creative, descriptive, & full of imagination. Della was named after the founder of the school, & she has never felt like she’s earned or lived up to the name. She doesn’t like danger, & doesn’t think herself brave. I loved watching her grow into not only her name, but her true self. That’s always such a beautiful thing to me. She has so much more courage & bravery than she realized. She never thought she was smart enough or that her spells were the best either. All she had to do was have a little faith in herself. This was even fuller with magic too, if you can believe that. I can’t say much, but man I want to! Lol I don’t know if this is the last book in the series, but I hope not. I want so many more! Also, all the recipes for all different kinds of things in the back of the books, is just genius & a fabulous touch. Seb Mesnard really outdid themselves w/this cover too. So beautiful!💜
October 10, 2020
I received this book from the author in exchange of an honest review!
I was so excited when I got a request mail from the author, I really liked the first book so I was more than happy to try out this book. It sounded like Della would be a character I would love, and I was curious about her adventures in the Middle Ages.
Meet Della, a timid girl who loves daydreaming. When she has to do a project for school (urgh, always hated projects that you have to do in front of the whole class) she decided to time travel to get some more information on her namesake. Yes, the famous Della Dupree after whom she is named.
I quickly knew who this great Dupree was especially after some more hints. Throughout the book I was wondering how long it would take Della herself to find out. Would she find out? I can tell that it took her a bit too long to finally discover the truth, however on the flipside, the timing for it was just right. It was the right moment for her to realise. I hope that makes sense.
I loved it that Della took the unconventional path. Instead of just making something out of books or what she has heard, she goes to time travel. To the time when Ruthersfield was funded. To the time of witches being hunted and being unsafe.
Della was already a fab character but I can tell you that she grew on me even further as the story continued. As she learned new things, as she got stronger, as she gained more confidence. I loved seeing her with the little witches and try to help them out. I loved how she was a part of something bigger and how she helped make the world better. Even though she probably didn't know that until the end. And I loved that with that knowledge she was brave and stood her ground when she came back to her own time in the end. I was so proud of her and I loved her presentation. Especially that last sentence, oh if only everyone knew. *giggles* Then there is the talk with the director, and oh my. :P
Not sure how I felt about Tom Foolery, my appreciation for the guy went a bit higher at the end of the book and we learn some more things about him. But still I found him quite rude. He did some bad things in this book.
Then there is Ivan and was a big fan of him. He is a sweet boy who just wants to follow his passion but needs some courage and sweet words to find out that it is possible to step up against his dad. I was rooting for him. And I loved how he supported Della, even after finding out she is a witch.
I loved all the magic and the spells (they were so cute and fun). I loved reading about Pots Bottom and how it was in that time. I loved seeing the girls fly. I loved that anything with the wood that resonates with you works (even stools and ladles).
And of course I cannot forget the tiny witches and Dame Bessie! Such fabulous characters and I loved them all. I felt sorry for the tiny girls whose magic just popped up and it wasn't making their life easier. Especially not in a threatening world like this. Dame Bessie was fantastic and I loved what she taught all the girls and how eager she was to help them out.
There is tons of excitement, magic, and tons of lasagne near the end! Win their hearts with food and fixed clothes! I loved how Della stood her ground and explained everything to everyone. That took guts and I was delighted to see how much she grew.
I loved the ending and seeing how it fared with Della. We see what happens in her future and I am so happy that this was added.
I am also happy to read about the other characters (Poppy and Cat) and how it is going with them.
Phew, I could probably talk more about this book. I just had so much fun reading this one. I think I have said the main points that I wanted to say, so I will keep it at this. I would recommend this one to all. And another big thanks to the author for this opportunity!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was so excited when I got a request mail from the author, I really liked the first book so I was more than happy to try out this book. It sounded like Della would be a character I would love, and I was curious about her adventures in the Middle Ages.
Meet Della, a timid girl who loves daydreaming. When she has to do a project for school (urgh, always hated projects that you have to do in front of the whole class) she decided to time travel to get some more information on her namesake. Yes, the famous Della Dupree after whom she is named.
I quickly knew who this great Dupree was especially after some more hints. Throughout the book I was wondering how long it would take Della herself to find out. Would she find out? I can tell that it took her a bit too long to finally discover the truth, however on the flipside, the timing for it was just right. It was the right moment for her to realise. I hope that makes sense.
I loved it that Della took the unconventional path. Instead of just making something out of books or what she has heard, she goes to time travel. To the time when Ruthersfield was funded. To the time of witches being hunted and being unsafe.
Della was already a fab character but I can tell you that she grew on me even further as the story continued. As she learned new things, as she got stronger, as she gained more confidence. I loved seeing her with the little witches and try to help them out. I loved how she was a part of something bigger and how she helped make the world better. Even though she probably didn't know that until the end. And I loved that with that knowledge she was brave and stood her ground when she came back to her own time in the end. I was so proud of her and I loved her presentation. Especially that last sentence, oh if only everyone knew. *giggles* Then there is the talk with the director, and oh my. :P
Not sure how I felt about Tom Foolery, my appreciation for the guy went a bit higher at the end of the book and we learn some more things about him. But still I found him quite rude. He did some bad things in this book.
Then there is Ivan and was a big fan of him. He is a sweet boy who just wants to follow his passion but needs some courage and sweet words to find out that it is possible to step up against his dad. I was rooting for him. And I loved how he supported Della, even after finding out she is a witch.
I loved all the magic and the spells (they were so cute and fun). I loved reading about Pots Bottom and how it was in that time. I loved seeing the girls fly. I loved that anything with the wood that resonates with you works (even stools and ladles).
And of course I cannot forget the tiny witches and Dame Bessie! Such fabulous characters and I loved them all. I felt sorry for the tiny girls whose magic just popped up and it wasn't making their life easier. Especially not in a threatening world like this. Dame Bessie was fantastic and I loved what she taught all the girls and how eager she was to help them out.
There is tons of excitement, magic, and tons of lasagne near the end! Win their hearts with food and fixed clothes! I loved how Della stood her ground and explained everything to everyone. That took guts and I was delighted to see how much she grew.
I loved the ending and seeing how it fared with Della. We see what happens in her future and I am so happy that this was added.
I am also happy to read about the other characters (Poppy and Cat) and how it is going with them.
Phew, I could probably talk more about this book. I just had so much fun reading this one. I think I have said the main points that I wanted to say, so I will keep it at this. I would recommend this one to all. And another big thanks to the author for this opportunity!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
April 1, 2021
This book was so awesome!! Such a hard one to put down for sure! A young, shy witch named Della Dupree is assigned a project on the famous founder of her school Della Dupree whom she was named after. Della feels it is a hard name to stand up to her being so shy and the other Della being courageous and brave. When she sends her self to the past and loses her only way of getting back, her only hope is to find the great Della Dupree which turns out to be quit a challenge! I would definitely recommend this great, fun read!
October 18, 2020
This was witchy fall adorableness! Such a great story full of witchy fun, bravery and empowerment perfect for young readers!
Lowe has crafted a wonderful story of a young witch who loves animals, is a daydreamer, lacks confidence in her magic, but is a little different and trying to find herself. She watches as another young witch gets bullied and doesn't speak up. She feels like she isn't living up to her name. Now she must complete a project of Della Dupree who founded Ruthersfield Academy, Della travels back in time to speak to the witch who started it all.
Della appears back in Potts bottom in 1223 during a time of fear and persecution of witches. She must find her travel amulet to get back to the present, but also hide herself as a witch. As she works with other young witches, Della finds confidence and bravery like never before!
Overall this was a quick and adorable read that makes for a great fall read! It reminded me a little of Matilda and is perfect for all the young witches! Della was able to learn a lot as this story was packed filled with lessons on bravery, confidence and owning your own self! I also very much enjoyed to cute recipes and crafts included at the end of the books! I am looking forward to reading about the other witches in this world. These are books I definitely want to gift my nieces!
Lowe has crafted a wonderful story of a young witch who loves animals, is a daydreamer, lacks confidence in her magic, but is a little different and trying to find herself. She watches as another young witch gets bullied and doesn't speak up. She feels like she isn't living up to her name. Now she must complete a project of Della Dupree who founded Ruthersfield Academy, Della travels back in time to speak to the witch who started it all.
Della appears back in Potts bottom in 1223 during a time of fear and persecution of witches. She must find her travel amulet to get back to the present, but also hide herself as a witch. As she works with other young witches, Della finds confidence and bravery like never before!
Overall this was a quick and adorable read that makes for a great fall read! It reminded me a little of Matilda and is perfect for all the young witches! Della was able to learn a lot as this story was packed filled with lessons on bravery, confidence and owning your own self! I also very much enjoyed to cute recipes and crafts included at the end of the books! I am looking forward to reading about the other witches in this world. These are books I definitely want to gift my nieces!
October 8, 2020
The Daring of Della Dupree is the fourth book of the Poppy Pendle series, which can be read as a stand alone. Other titles in the series include The Power of Poppy Pendle, The Courage of Cat Campbell, and The Marvelous Magic of Miss Mable. The books have been described as "Matilda meets The Penderwicks." From what I can tell from the books summaries, The Poppy Pendle series seems to carry the important messages of friendship, bravery, compassion and believing in oneself. All empowering ideals.
The story begins with Della in present day at Ruthersfield Academy preparing for an upcoming school project where she's supposed to present on what it was like for Witch Della living in the Middle Ages. Della Dupree is a sort of timid and insecure young witch. She hasn't developed confidence in her magical abilities and feels like she'll never compare to Witch Dupree. She's also a bystander while one of her classmates, Katrin is being bullied by Melanie, a notoriously mean witch. Despite liking Katrin, and empathizing with how she must feel being teased on a daily basis, Della lacks the strength to stand up to Melanie.
Then Della makes the decision to travel back in time to talk with her namesake, and lands in Potts Bottom during a time where witches were feared, even persecuted for having magic. A stark contrast with how things are during present day. Della also meets Mary, a young untrained witch. Mary and several of the young girls from Potts Bottom are deathly afraid of their family finding out about their magic. Being untrained, their magic is wonky, out of control and becoming harder and harder for them to conceal. Della provides some much needed strategies to keep their magic under control so they wont be carted off to Scrubs Prison.
Della is a very kind hearted girl, who loves animals, often taking them under her wing and nursing them back to health. She's disturbed by the girls of Potts Bottom's plight and is the one who ultimately changes the villagers mind about witches not being bad or evil. The story was an interesting look at the historical perceptions of witches in the middle ages from the vantage point of a young witch from present day. I absolutely loved the ending with how Della was able to find her voice and ultimately challenges Melanie. Included at the end of the book are recipes for Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins and Pottage, with instructions for making a Pomander Ball. With Halloween quickly approaching, give this to someone who enjoys stories with witches, empowering messaging or a unique historical perspective of witches from the middle ages.
**A huge thank you to Natasha Lowe for my review copy.
The story begins with Della in present day at Ruthersfield Academy preparing for an upcoming school project where she's supposed to present on what it was like for Witch Della living in the Middle Ages. Della Dupree is a sort of timid and insecure young witch. She hasn't developed confidence in her magical abilities and feels like she'll never compare to Witch Dupree. She's also a bystander while one of her classmates, Katrin is being bullied by Melanie, a notoriously mean witch. Despite liking Katrin, and empathizing with how she must feel being teased on a daily basis, Della lacks the strength to stand up to Melanie.
Then Della makes the decision to travel back in time to talk with her namesake, and lands in Potts Bottom during a time where witches were feared, even persecuted for having magic. A stark contrast with how things are during present day. Della also meets Mary, a young untrained witch. Mary and several of the young girls from Potts Bottom are deathly afraid of their family finding out about their magic. Being untrained, their magic is wonky, out of control and becoming harder and harder for them to conceal. Della provides some much needed strategies to keep their magic under control so they wont be carted off to Scrubs Prison.
Della is a very kind hearted girl, who loves animals, often taking them under her wing and nursing them back to health. She's disturbed by the girls of Potts Bottom's plight and is the one who ultimately changes the villagers mind about witches not being bad or evil. The story was an interesting look at the historical perceptions of witches in the middle ages from the vantage point of a young witch from present day. I absolutely loved the ending with how Della was able to find her voice and ultimately challenges Melanie. Included at the end of the book are recipes for Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins and Pottage, with instructions for making a Pomander Ball. With Halloween quickly approaching, give this to someone who enjoys stories with witches, empowering messaging or a unique historical perspective of witches from the middle ages.
**A huge thank you to Natasha Lowe for my review copy.
August 4, 2020
Thank you Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this title.
I really enjoyed this book! This is the latest book in the Poppy Pendle series and it is my favorite of the bunch. The pacing and character development were great. Such a fun read, I got through this in only a few days!
I really loved the time travel aspect of this book. All in all a really great read, highly recommend if you enjoy middle grade fantasy books.
I really enjoyed this book! This is the latest book in the Poppy Pendle series and it is my favorite of the bunch. The pacing and character development were great. Such a fun read, I got through this in only a few days!
I really loved the time travel aspect of this book. All in all a really great read, highly recommend if you enjoy middle grade fantasy books.
December 7, 2020
My students and I love Natasha Lowe's books. They are fantastic read aloud and always have great messages. I love this book!
April 2, 2021
This is such a great and inspiring read! My daughter and I have enjoyed every edition of the series and were thrilled when we saw that there was going to be a fourth book. Della is kind, brave and resourceful. Della realizes her true potential when she time travels to 1223. We just loved 💕everything about this book from start to finish, we definitely recommend this one!
October 14, 2020
Della Dupree is a witch at an academy just for witches. She, however, has the misfortune of sharing the same name as it's famous founder and all of the pressure that comes from living with that constant comparison. When Della is assigned the task of learning more about her namesake for her history class an adventure begins. Soon Della is in the past looking for the great Della Dupree and learning a lot about how witches were treated long ago. This is a fun book for magic fans. It is full of broomsticks and transfigurations. It also has lots of animals, magical lasagna, and other surprises. I personally found the ending predictable, but I am not the intended audience. Overall, this was empowering, fun, and full of magic.
November 14, 2022
My daughter (9) and I read The Daring of Della Dupree together. We both agreed that this finale book was our favorite of the Poppy Pendle series. It has a great message of how "ordinary" and "extradinary" are a matter of perspective. Della thinks she's ordinary, but heroes are ordinary people who have the courage to do extradinary things. Every person has the ability to make history.
August 12, 2020
Della's a brave and charming young witch, who finds the courage to do the right thing! The circumstances are difficult--she's travelled back to the middle ages, where witches are feared and persecuted--but she rises to the occasion beautifully!
September 29, 2020
Della Dupree is a young witch at Rutherford Academy.
Della know the rhyme about the founder, who has the same name, and feels the she can never live up to her namesake.
Lowe's plot has a good message about historical figures, making them relatable to students studying history.
Della know the rhyme about the founder, who has the same name, and feels the she can never live up to her namesake.
Lowe's plot has a good message about historical figures, making them relatable to students studying history.
February 10, 2021
Read this with my daughter; it was a very cute story!
July 1, 2021
Another adorable installment in the Poppy Pendle series. I really enjoyed this but this was the least favorite of my daughter's.
April 5, 2022
I am very sad that this series will end. But this book was a very very very good book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews