Review Detail

SECRET SPELLS is another fun installment in this series about Bea Black. Bea tells the story through diary entries, where she is currently describing the lead-up to and participation in the Winter Solstice sports day events. After a mishap with her non-magical (or ordinary) friend Ash and the ordinaries who attend his school, the principal of Extraordinary, the school for witches) has decided to make their traditional witch games day into a joint sports day, playing ordinary sports.

Although the day is meant to be about friendship and coming together, everyone wants to win. Bea will have to make some decisions about her friends and who she wants to be on sports day as she writes in her diary for the reader.

What I loved: This series is really great for taking relatable issues for children and presenting them with plenty of fun. Although Bea is training to be a witch, she also is having normal experiences in school with having to deal with some other students not particularly liking her, pushing boundaries with friendships and figuring out what it means to be a good friend, and the temptation of cheating to win or help others out. These ethical and practical issues are discussed well through conversations Bea has with others and with herself as she writes in her diary.

Bea is a compelling character, who, although she goes to a witchy school, is just like any ordinary student - because she used to be one! It was her recent experiences as an ordinary that have made her the expert on sports day among the witch teachers and school, and this leads to plenty of hilarious moments as the witches try to figure out field day type activities. But, like other kids, she is sometimes embarrassed by her father (even though she cares about him a lot), and learning to navigate friendships and schoolwork, often through trial and error.

The voice of the story is humorous and good-natured, and the conversational style works really well for the intended age range. The book also includes key illustrations throughout that really add to the story and the whimsy of it all. The doodle-like format is perfect for the style, and the characters really come to life in key images. Although it is a diary format, there is plenty of written dialogue and explanations to keep interest and the plot moving forward.

What left me wanting more: While we overall really love this series, there is one part of the plot that is difficult - and that is that Bea must keep a secret from her father about what she does as he is not supposed to know about magic. This is mentioned a lot as she avoids talking about her day or what she is up to, hiding things from him. For younger readers, it may be good to have discussions about this and secret-keeping around trusted caregivers.

Final verdict: SECRET SPELLS is a delightful and humorous new installment in the DIARY OF AN ACCIDENTAL WITCH series that will resonate with readers who are navigating being good friends and potential ethical conundrums, such as cheating.