Bras & Broomsticks

February 7, 2005
Although its premise is not altogether original, Mlynowski's (Milkrun
) novel starring a teenage witch, told from the point of view of her 14-year-old mortal sister, offers plenty of laughs and some deliciously complicated predicaments. The fun begins when narrator Rachel learns that her "vegetarian, socially inept" 12-year-old sister, Miri, has suddenly developed magical powers. Oddly enough, she apparently has inherited them from the girls' divorced, rather mundane mother, who admits she "excommunicated from the witchcraft community" a long time ago. Their mother forbids Miri to cast spells until she undergoes a year of witch training, but the girl is eventually persuaded by her scheming sister to test her spell-casting abilities by helping Rachel become a flawless dancer, win a spot in a fashion show and capture the attention of a cute boy named Raf. All too soon, however, the girls discover that messing with fate can have dire consequences, especially when they attempt to put a halt to their father's upcoming wedding. While the outcome of the story is fairly predictable, Rachel and Miri have enough depth, morals—and flaws—to draw sympathy from readers and keep events interesting. The book's open ending suggests that more pleasingly far-fetched scenes await, but readers will have to hold out until next year for the sequel, Frogs and French Kisses.
Ages 12-up.

April 18, 2005
Sure, having a younger sister can be annoying. But what if your kid sis was a witch? Such is the predicament of ordinary, mortal 14-year-old Rachel, whose 12-year-old sibling, Miri, has suddenly shown an affinity for powerful spell casting and wish fulfillment. Meyers's solid energy and dead-on teen voice renders Rachel an entertainingly shrewd narrator and generally likable character. As the elder, Rachel takes her role seriously, persuading Miri to help her mend fences with friends, learn how to dance and land a hot date with her biggest crush. And more importantly, Rachel and Miri craft a plan to prevent their dad (divorced from Mom, who it turns out is a retired witch) from remarrying. The fun blend of humor, magic, grand adolescent dreams and honest emotions gives Meyers lots to work with as she leads listeners into this diverting teen-chick-lit fantasy. Ages 12-up.