Fiction - Short Story Collections (Single Author), Fiction - Horror, Monsters & Ghosts, Poetry - Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror
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Overview
In this collection of stories and poems about witches, wizards, and warlocks, readers will encounter Baba Yaga, Merlin, the witch from Hansel and Gretel, a Native American shape-shifter, and others. Here There Be Witches is beautifully illustrated by David Wilgus, and each piece is prefaced by an author’s note from the ever-popular Jane Yolen. “An intriguing and entertaining compilation that will appeal to young adolescent readers with an interest in the scary and supernatural.”—Booklist
Presents an illustrated collection of sixteen stories and poems about witches, wizards, and warlocks.
Editorials
The ALAN Review -
Yolen has written an amazing melange of stories and poems about witches over the years, and this collection of her work is a companion to Here There Be Dragons and Here There Be Unicorns (also published by Harcourt). Yolen's skill at storytelling is evident in this collection, making it a great choice for reading aloud to middle- and high-school classes. Her way with words falls deftly on the ear and will guarantee a chorus of "just one more." Each selection is introduced by Yolen's musings on the motivation for writing the piece and gives the reader a pleasant insight into her personality and writing style, as well as her research and vast knowledge of the field. The book is a natural in a writing class because it does answer the question, "Where do you get your ideas?" Don't let the content scare you -witches are a part of our mythology!School Library Journal
Gr 4-8-A fine companion volume to Here There Be Dragons 1993 and Here There Be Unicorns 1994, both Harcourt. Seven poems and ten short stories present views of witches that range from humorous to poignant. A boy from a long line of sorcerers completes a routine homework assignment in ``When I Grow Up, by Michael Dee.'' Yolen takes a sly poke at political correctness in ``The Passing of the Eye,'' and brings Baba Yaga into the 20th century in ``Boris Chernevsky's Hands.'' Gleanings from historical accounts serve as the seeds for ``The Witch's Ride,'' which is about a lovely young woman beyond suspicion of witchcraft, and ``Witchfinder,'' which takes a look at different sides of the same story. Some of the pieces have a darker note, such as ``Circles,'' in which a young woman learns the true shape of her power, and ``Weird Sisters,'' a poem about how some evil spells are cast by ordinary human beings. A strong, imaginative sense of story and clear, crisp language are trademarks of Yolen's work, and this collection is no exception. Wilgus's cover is enticing, and his full-page pencil drawings enhance the selections they illustrate.-Donna L. Scanlon, Lancaster County Library, PABook Details
Published
December 31, 1998
Publisher
Thomson Learning
Pages
128
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780152016579