Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth

by E. L. Konigsburg

I read this book as a kid, and was reminded of it when I looked through CasualReader’s book relay page. I was too slow to pick up the copy that was offered there, but several weeks later, Andrew spied a copy at a garage sale.

Elizabeth and her parents moved to a new apartment building in a new town over the summer. When school starts, Elizabeth has no friends and no one to walk with to school. Then, while walking back to school after lunch on Halloween in her hand-me-down pilgrim costume, Elizabeth sees a girl up in a tree. This girl is also wearing a pilgrim costume, but hers looks older and more authentic that Elizabeth’s. Her name is Jennifer, and Jennifer is a witch. During the next several months, Jennifer takes Elizabeth on as an apprentice witch, as they collect the ingredients they need for a flying ointment.

I loved this book as a kid. Reading it again brought back some nostalgia for those days. This is a good book about friendships, and also very fun to read right near Halloween.