Bras & Broomsticks (Magic in Manhattan #1)

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Bras & Broomsticks (Magic in Manhattan #1)

Author(s)

Sarah Mlynowski

Publisher

Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Genre(s)

Fantasy

Age Range

12+

Release Date

February 22, 2005

ISBN

0385731817

Buy This Book

What if all your wishes could come true? Blink your eyes, drink a fizzing pink potion, and poof! Life is perfect. That’s Rachel’s situation. Except she’s not the one who suddenly has magical powers. Her younger sister is. And as Rachel would tell you, spellbooks are wasted on the young!

Yes, yes, of course world peace and cures for horrible diseases are important. But so is dancing without looking like she’s being electrocuted, winning back her best friend, stopping her dad’s wedding, and finding a date for Spring Fling.

Rachel’s not bewitched. Yet. . . .

Editor reviews

2 reviews

As easy as wiggling your nose&

June 21, 2005

Overall rating

5.0

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Rachel's little sister Miri seems to be the one that gets everything first, even though she's younger. For instance, her chest outgrew her sisters and how fair is that? But even worse, now it turns out Miri has inherited their mother's magic powers and Rachel hasn't!

What's a girl to do? Talk her sister into casting spells for her, that's what. Besides wanting to get in with the A-list at school, Rachel also wants to stop her dad from marrying STBSM (Soon to be Step Monster), or STB for short. The sisters combine and try to come up with ways to foil the marriage from giving STB a really bad case of acne to making a spell that causes her to only speak the truth.

Meanwhile, Rachel's wiggling her way into the popular crowd, often with unexpected results. But then things suddenly come tumbling down when their mother discovers what is going on.

This is very fun book told in Rachel's voice. Yes, she's a bit pre-occupied with getting on the A-list. Yes, she's a bit selfish. But she knows it and truly loves her little sister, despite Miri getting everything first.

I recommend this book primarily for girls ages 12 and up and anyone who likes a good laugh.

Kimberly Pauley Top 50 Reviewer 393 reviews

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User reviews

21 reviews

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4 stars

24%

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4.5

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Funny and tons of fun

June 16, 2009

Overall rating

1.0

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Reader reviewed by Kristen

I have to say, this was a serious guilty pleasure read for me. I felt
like I was living through Rachel's freshman year of high school and
could not put this down. If ever there was chick-lit for teenagers -
this is it. What's funny is that I was far from wanting to be the type
of girl that Rachel is in this novel - wanting to be popular and really
making that her goal.

So - basic plot - Rachel finds out her
younger sister is a witch, and her mom is a witch, but she isn't. Of
course, the first thing she does is try to figure out ways that her
sister can help her become popular. She's dying to become a part of the
A-list, so much so that she even tries to ruin her dad's upcoming
marriage (to a woman she thinks is awful) so she can basically go to a
dance with a cute guy.

I love how flawed Rachel is at 14 - she's
the epitome of a self-centered teenage girl. She thinks mainly of
herself, but tries hard at some points to be a "good person". I loved
the drama of it all and will probably eat up the rest of the series
this summer.

Guest #1 Reviewer

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Tons Of Cool Magic!

March 19, 2009

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5.0

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Reader reviewed by Aryanna Draeger

Title: Bras& Broomsticks Author: Sarah Mlynowski Publisher: Delacourte Press Number Of Pages: 310

Summary from back of book: Rachel can't believe it.Her younger sister, Miri, is a witch! How come Miri inherited the supernatural skills that could have turned Rachel into a teenage superstar? Just as Rachel suspects, magical powers are wasted on the young. Miri refuses to use them for Rachel's benefit. And Rachel is desperate! Not only does she need to learn some serious dance moves, she's got to win her best friend back, stop her father's wedding, and snag a cute guy's heart. Maybe Rachel will discover she's got magical powers of her own. Or maybe, just maybe, she can find a way to change Miri's mind.....

Review: Bras & Broomsticks is hilarious!!! I absolutely loved this book. It was a great book all around. I highly recommend this book.

I recommend this book if you like witches and young adult novels.

Guest #1 Reviewer

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Bras and Broomsticls

March 07, 2009

Overall rating

4.0

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Reader reviewed by Megan

What if all your wishes could come true? Blink your eyes, drink a fizzing pink potion, and poof! Life is perfect. Thats Rachels situation. Except shes not the one who suddenly has magical powers. Her younger sister is. And as Rachel would tell you, spellbooks are wasted on the young!

Yes, yes, of course world peace and cures for horrible diseases are important. But so is dancing without looking like shes being electrocuted, winning back her best friend, stopping her dads wedding, and finding a date for Spring Fling.

Rachels not bewitched. Yet. . . .

I loved this book, I loved the characters and how differnt and interesting thay all are. I loved the plot and how all the funny spells and things that happen. I loved how Rachel acted and how she wanted to dance to get Raf. I would totally reccomend this book.

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Sarah's On The Right Track!

April 13, 2008

Overall rating

5.0

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Reader reviewed by Holly

I picked this book up on a whim, because I love her adult books. I'm glad I did. Rachel is upset, because she finds out that her mom and sister are both witches. What bothers her, is that her sister is younger and she gets to be a witch. Which isn't fair, because, Rachel could do SO MUCH with being one. She cons her sister into using spells to her advantage. They still have a wicked step mother, that they have to take care of.

This is a great book to pick up and it's a quick read.

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the same, but still somewhat original

January 15, 2008

Overall rating

3.0

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Reader reviewed by abscae

Well, in some ways, this book can be considered just like many others, and doesn't mean anything special. It talks about dealing with issues of popularity and then leaving a friend behind, and then both her and her sister are willing to keep a new mom from coming into the big picture.

Better part is: her sister is a witch, which throws a new curve ball.

Just overall, nothing special, just the usual young adult novel.

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Very good book

November 02, 2007

Overall rating

5.0

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Reader reviewed by Maggie

The first to the series, a story of a normal girl and her witch sister and mom. Racheal always trys to make her sister do magic for her. And it always seems to backfire.

I would reccremend this book to any girl who likes to read. Its not your ordinary wizard book.

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So the Best Series Ever

July 05, 2007

Overall rating

5.0

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Reader reviewed by Lu

Get prepared to laugh and love this book!

I have read this book four times already! If it was possible I would give this book a ten! It keeps you laughing and suprised for the entire book.

Bras&Broomstick is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! Sarah Mlynowski has made unique and hilarios charecters! A screamingly hilarious story that you'll want to read over and over again! This is amust read book! Girls drop what you're doing and reead this book it has to be the best book ever!

You must read this book! Push it to the top of your list! HILARIOUSLY GREAT!!!

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Its one of the best books i've ever read!!! It's full of suspense and advanture! I love this book!

April 08, 2007

Overall rating

5.0

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Reader reviewed by Samantha

This is the first book that I have gotten from my father. He doesnt live with us and doesnt have alot of money. Its nice of him to give it to me I have read this book so many times I know what happens on every page. (well maybe not every page) but still I just to say that this such a good book that I started to read it to my nextdoor neighboor because she saw me read it and she wanted to read it also (she's only 6) any way thats pretty much it.

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BEST BOOK IVE EVER READ!

November 11, 2006

Overall rating

5.0

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Reader reviewed by bec

I have read this book & frogs & french kisses. They are the best books i have ever read! They are funny, suspenseful & full of magic! I would definitely recommend them to any girl aged 11-15. I can't wait until the next one, Spells & sleeping bags is out!

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magical

August 25, 2006

Overall rating

4.0

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Reader reviewed by linda

This was a hilarious book about Rachel and her sister Miri. Miri found out that she was a witch just like her mother and Rachel is quite jealous because Rachel knows she would put her magical skills into better use if she were in Miri's shoes. For example, Rachel has a long list of situations she would change if she had powers: she would make her crush fall in love with her, she would make her ex-best friend like her again, she would use magic to make herself popular, she would call off her father's next wedding, and she would try to get into her high school's fashion show. All these things could be achieved by a simple spell-a spell that makes Rachel the best dancer ever. Rachel persuades Miri into casting the spell on her and everything seems perfect until the fashion show.

Guest #1 Reviewer