This book comprises two titles in the Worst Witch series by Jill Murphy: The Worst Witch and The Worst Witch Strikes Again. In the first story accident-prone Mildred Hubble is in her first year at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. She is terrible at riding a broomstick and she manages to mix things up so often that she rarely gets anything finished. If she could just get through a day without being sent to Miss Cackle's office, or displeasing her fierce form mistress, Miss Hardbroom things would be easier. In the second story Mildred has returned to Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, and on her first day is already in trouble. A new girl at school, Enid Nightshade, appears well behaved and shy, but is she really? Mildred tries really hard to stay out of trouble but she does seems to get the blame for everything that goes wrong, whether her fault or not.

These stories are a great mix of friendship, adventures, and fantasy. They are a really good read for a child not yet ready for Harry Potter. Very enjoyable. ( )