Spelling Trouble

Witch-in-Training #2

by Maeve Friel, Nathan Reed (Illustrator)

The second book in this sparkling, magical new series about Jessica, the ten-year-old witch-in-training. Writing that fizzes…that will enchant every 7 – 9 year old, especially girls. In Flying Lessons ten-year-old Jessica learns the art of flying on a broomstick, using all the twigs to max effect, especially the Eject twig for getting rid of unwanted goblins. In this second title, Jessica learns Spelling and Charming under the watchful eye of Miss Strega. Jess soon learns to interpret the spellings; Grate Polish for Gnats' Spittle, Bath Plugs spell Bats' Legs and, of course, Ten-amp Plugs spell Teenage Slugs! But putting together all the ingredients to make a spell, or charm a frog are another matter and Jess makes more than a few mistakes in this second phase of her training. More fizzing fun with Jessica, Miss Strega and that lovey of the witch-world Hecate Darling…not to mention a few cats, night-in-gales and other familiars.

96 pages, Paperback

Published March 3, 2003

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

[Nagini · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5