Flying Lessons

Witch-in-Training #1

by Maeve Friel, Nathan Reed (Illustrator)

The first title in a new series of magical books for younger readers, by Irish author Maeve Friel. On Jessica’s tenth birthday she discovers she is a young witch…Launch title of Roaring Good Reads series. The first in a new series of magical books for younger readers, by Irish author, Maeve Friel. Jessica thinks she is an ordinary ten-year-old girl but by the end of this first book, she is on the way to becoming a very bright young witch! When she sees the broomstick for sale outside Miss Strega’s hardware shop, Jessica is intrigued. for on the price label it also Flying Lessons Extra. Jessica can’t resist peeking inside the shop and ends up beginning her first lesson in witchcraft. Jessica learns that there is more to learn about flying a broomstick than meets the eye. First, you have to use the branches as gears – so the twigs must be in front of you, not behind you as every other witchy book show. The foremost twigs are for twirling, zooming, spinning, ducking, diving, moon-vaulting, and star falling. The Eject twig, is for getting rid of unwanted hangers on, Goblins, dragons – any sort of pest that tries to hitch a ride. Join Jess as she works towards her Flying Certificate and becomes a GASP of BR[EATH] in order words, a Graduate Airborne Spinner of Broom Riders [Earth and the Heavens]! Launch title in the Roaring Good Reads younger fiction promotion from Collins to be launched this month.

Genres: Fiction

96 pages, Paperback

Published August 19, 2002

About the author

I was born in Derry (Northern Ireland) where I went to Thornhill College and then studied sociology in University College Dublin. I have lived all over the place since then and have worked as a teacher, a translator, a secretary and a tour guide before taking up full time writing.

I wrote several short stories for adults which were broadcast by BBC Radio 4. Then I wrote Irrational Developments, a story inspired by the protests about water shortages in a small Spanish village. It was published in the Sunday Tribune and went on to win the 1990 Hennessy Literary Award. That encouraged me to keep writing.

Since then I have written 19 books for children of all ages as well as lots of short stories which appear in many anthologies. I live in Dublin and also have a hideaway in that same small Spanish village where I am surrounded by orange orchards.

Reviews

[pieknempisane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

[Tracey- Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little read. Wonderfully witchy..
Again lovely illustrations!

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was pretty good and original. it cast a new light over witches and their broomsticks.

[Monika · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this story. Plot was just okay and flying lesson not really interesting. Ending was pretentious.