Mysterious Miss Slade

by Dick King-Smith

From the beloved author of The Gallant Pig comes a funny and compassionate story about a mysterious neighbor and her many, many animals!

All the village children think Miss Slade is a witch. Perhaps it’s the patch on her eye. Or maybe it’s the ancient caravan she lives in, surrounded by six dogs, six cats, several goats, and a lot of chickens. But Jim and Patsy Reader know better. To them, Miss Slade is the eccentric neighbor who lets them ride her donkey, shares her lunch of chips and cookies, and makes them laugh out loud.

But Miss Slade is still a mystery to Jim and Patsy. Why does she speak like an aristocrat? And where did she get that gold sovereign? It turns out Miss Slade does have a secret after all–one that brings trouble when discovered. Luckily, she has some friends–human and canine–who can help.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Dick King-Smith was born and raised in Gloucestershire, England, surrounded by pet animals. After twenty years as a farmer, he turned to teaching and then to writing children's books.

Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.

Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig, which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.

Dick lived with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another brief charmer by King-Smith with engaging illustrations. This time there are lots of animals, but we know little about them other than species and name. The point of this story is that even an unkempt old woman might turn out to be a good friend. Just because someone is eccentric doesn't mean she's a witch. And of course it's not surprising that if you have a lot of animals and no running water your home will stink of manure.

[Karen GoatKeeper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dick King-Smith is always a fun easy read. His books are definitely British. The characters are that: characters with interesting foibles.
Who is Miss Slade? People avoid her, call her a witch.
Why does she never change her clothes or take a bath?
Why does she wear a pirate's eyepatch over one eye?
Jim and Patsy don't know Miss Slade is supposed to be a witch. She's their new neighbor and seems very nice. They want to be her friends but those questions need answering.
The answers unfold even as the action rumbles by. They turn out to be a commentary on British society.
Written for children, this book is still a delight for older readers as well.

[Manuel Alfonseca · Rating 4 out of 5]

ENGLISH: I have read this book three times. It is one of my favorites by this author, after Godhanger. Mysterious Miss Slade has lots of money, but lives in a shabby way, without human relations. The arrival of a new family of neighbors changes her life.

ESPAÑOL: He leído tres veces este libro. Es uno de mis favoritos del autor, después de Godhanger. La misteriosa señorita Slade tiene mucho dinero, pero vive de forma miserable, sin relaciones humanas. La llegada de una nueva familia de vecinos cambia su vida.

[Heila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is basically about how disillusioned people who have become hermit-like misfits, can be helped by true friendship and caring. And about how those kinds of relationships are always mutual. But -- it would be deadly boring and no child (person) would read and ike it, if it were only about that. So, once again, the characters are so good. There's Miss Slade, and then the two curious children who are new in town and don't know the gossip about her. The two children have nice parents, by the way - not perfect, but nice. Do I need to mention how strange but also refreshing that is? As with all Dick King-Smith's books there are plenty of cute and well-described animals with their own personalities as well. It's just a great story. Children's book or not.

[Sheila Beaumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patsy, 8, and Jim, 6, befriend Miss Slade, a neighbor woman who lives in squalor with her six dogs, six cats, donkey, goats, and chickens. This is a lovely, gently humorous story with delightful characters, both human and animal. Readers will rejoice when Miss Slade, helped by the kindness of the children and their parents, decides to "turn over a new leaf" on her 70th birthday. The book is generously and charmingly illustrated, too.

[Parrish Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am almost done with this book and i love it

[Termaka]

that you must not treat people from where they come

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud to my 11 year old boy and we both thought it was very sweet. A good story on the importance of loving people where they are.

[Casey Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wait this was SO cute?? Obviously it’s not like the adult books I normally read so I had to change my perspective, but the story was adorable and I loved it. Definitely a good one for young readers

[Friend of Pixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The local kids think Miss Slade is a witch. She lives in an old trailer, wears shapeless and dirty clothes, and has lots of animals. But when two new kids move in nearby, the lonely old woman gets her wish for some friends. A great book about compassion, prejudice, and how the past can dog a person. Told with King-Smith's trademark humor and wit.

[Avalon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes we think of someone because of the way they look. Sometimes they are nice.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story with a great take on misconceptions and initial impressions.