About the Author

Jill Murphy started putting books together (literally with a stapler), when she was six. The Worst Witch was first published in 1974 and this much-loved classic has been enjoyed by readers for more than 30 years. Jill Murphy also written and illustrated several award-winning picture books for younger children.

Reviews

Gr 3-5-Mildred Hubble is up to her old antics as she and her friends begin their third year at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. Fans of the "Worst Witch" books (Puffin) will be delighted by her escapades, and first-time readers of the series will find themselves swept up in the action (pertinent scenes from the prior installments are briefly explained). True to form, Mildred gets right down to trouble, ending the first day of school with a horrible haircut, compliments of her nemesis, Ethel Hallow. But when Mildred attempts a restorative spell, the hair-raising catastrophe that follows is just one of the adventures in which she and her pals partake before she uncovers the sinister plot of the new form teacher, Miss Granite, and, as the title implies, saves the day. Murphy's ink sketches provide a comic look at some of the more unusual sights and situations-especially Miss Granite's odd appearance. A fun read with plenty of silliness and excitement to keep readers engaged, this is a solid purchase, especially for libraries where the other titles are popular or those with younger audiences eager for magic/fantasy.-Bethany A. Lafferty, Las Vegas-Clark County Library, NV Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.