You Can't Make Me Go To Witch School!

fans of Harry potter should enjoy the magical adventure of this trilogy. Daisy Wart is force to go to a witch boarding school by her granny when all she wants in life is to be an actress. Like Harry Potter, Daisy makes both friends and enemies at her new school and in for a very special destiny to help the school ghost headmistress

When Daisy (or Twinkle as they name her on arrival) is dragged kicking and screaming to Toadspit Towers – a school for witches by –  her granny she’s absolutely furious. She clearly is not a witch, she is in fact a serious Shakespearean actress whose whole career is about to be ruined if she doesn’t get to play Bottom at her ‘normal’ school performance. Exceedingly put out she is determined to do everything she can to escape from this terrible place, where she is forced to sleep inside a cauldron, earn ticks to eat more than gloop and the rooms are locked at night to keep them safe from the monsters who stalk the corridors. But when she starts to show an alarming gift for all things witchcraft, everyone starts to question her claims that she can’t possibly be a witch. In fact they think she might just be the best and brightest witch they’ve ever seen.I grew up totally obsessed with boarding school stories so this story immediately captured my attention and what could be better than a magical school. Of course there are lots of magical boarding schools in stories but none as well frankly eccentric as Toadspit Towers, if I tell you the school’s headteacher is a cursed ghost you’ll have some idea what I mean. Daisy (or Ophelia as she calls herself, it’s definitely not Twinkle) is a brilliant heroine who is hilariously endearing, her refusal to conform in any way possible is infuriatingly funny as is her sheer determination not to bend to the will of the school despite everyone’s best efforts. Em has constructed a well thought out world with the most elaborate attention to detail. I particularly love the witchwood charms on the bracelets that can be turned into a variety of useful objects from pencils to torches. Jamie Littler’s illustrations are bursting with humour and attention to detail, capturing perfectly the warmth of this weird and wonderful story. And of course the best thing is that this is just the first book from Twinkle (sorry I mean Ophelia, or was that Daisy) and her friends in a marvellous new series, I for one can’t wait to read the next one.

Rather than fight with my ten-year-old over who got to read it first, we snuggled up out of the rain and read it together, taking it in turns to read out loud and make up funny voices for all the wonderful characters. We almost read it in one sitting because it was sooooo good.Daisy/Ophelia/Twinkle's voice was really funny and she literally jumped off the page. Nice to read something light, fun yet exciting and a wonderful alternative to the other darker magic stuff that is on the market. The illustrations were wonderful, making the it a 'book for keeps'.I loved it and would recommend it for any age. Yes, it is an all female cast, but then so what? Boys will still love it. Got to be the start of a series - would definitely buy the lot!I'm keeping my hat on in celebration.

My daughter loved this series of books and has even bought them for friends to enjoy too!

This delightfully funny new book follows the adventures of Daisy Wart when she is reluctantly sent to witch school and is the first in what is sure to become a smash-hit series. The book is full of brilliantly drawn characters and great ideas, wriitten with great warmth an humour. The story is complemented perfectly by Jamie Littler's witty illustrations. Young readers will love this book and eagerly await the next one!