A Witch's Garden

by Miriam Young, Charles Robinson (Illustrator)

Jenny becomes alarmed when she surmises Mrs. Matthews, a neighborhood newcomer, is a witch. Should she expose her or exorcise her?

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens

156 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Geourska · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood favorite - I read it every summer for years.

[Arielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember the cover of this book from when I was a kid, and it must have been where I heard the name Niobe, which I've long loved, but I don't remember the story at all. It's so well done, with more heft than I bargained for. The story starts with an exclusive, anti-Semitic community and Jenny's frustration that her older neighbors are causing her best friend's family to move out in protest. She wishes ill to the community's membership committee, and when a new neighbor comes in and bad things start to happen, well... could she have influenced it?
The book toes the line very well, with Jenny's real, valid questions and concerns driving the narrative. The language is often so nice, and it was a really lovely read that also pushed back against the worldview of those older neighbors. Big thumbs up.

[Samantha Gronberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating novel! I don’t think it’s really appropriate for younger children as it mentions the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms and in practically every chapter someone’s smoking a cigarette but as an adult I loved it. I would definitely read this again and had a great time reading a semi dated account of witchcraft through the eyes of a child. The book also addresses bigotry and the negative side of stereotyping so that was a nice surprise. Overall I really enjoy this little vintage gem.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

gated community that doesn't allow Jews. Young girl upset by loss of friends and a witch(?)that seems to avenge the injured.

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

We had this book in our summer house and I would read it every single summer until it disappeared. I recently got another copy and finally re-read it (in our summer house, of course). Looking forward to reading it every summer again.

[Aria · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a good story until it got to the exorcism bit. That was when it jumped the shark. I enjoyed it until that point. All the shine was lost at that point, unfortunately.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable children's book for all ages

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

D. fiction, supernational, supposedly elementary level; creepy; from strash, discard