Rosemary's Witch [Paperback]

Ann Turner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1994

After moving into an old house in a small New England town, 9-year-old Rosemary discovers that the nearby woods conceal a 150-year-old witch, who once lived in the house and is using her magic to take it back.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Morgenthaus seem content with their new house, but nine-year-old Rosemary feels a chill. Then she discovers that the house is haunted by the spirit of a girl named Mathilda. Neglected and never loved, Mathilda's hurt and anger has somehow denatured her; at age 150, she is a heinous witch. Rosemary explores this mystery and appeases Mathilda with presents, including her own beloved teddy bear. Certain elements linger unpleasantly--in particular, the message that a girl's rightful pain and rage will turn her into an evil witch is coercive and sexist. Additionally, readers may feel cheated when Rosemary's sacrifice of her teddy bear is erased after the witch inexplicably returns the gift. The book's spooky atmosphere, however, compensates for a somewhat opaque and slow-moving style. Ages 11-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-- Rosemary is delighted when her family moves from crowded quarters in Garden City to a large New England farmhouse. But Rosemary is puzzled by the sad face drawn among the wallpaper flowers of her new room. Treasured objects begin to disappear; a chilling fog arrives in July; and a plague of toads causes the small rural community to rumble with fear and speculation. Only nine-year-old Rosemary has the ability to perceive what is happening. A chanteuse of a storyteller, Turner uses poetic prose to caress the plot while keeping the tension turned high. Alternating the viewpoints of Rosemary and the witch who is causing the trouble allows the story to evolve in an unusual manner. Turner's splendid descriptive ability depicts a beautifully detailed landscape, the social exchanges of a small town, and a most nauseating witch. Character development is superb. In a believable way, insecure Rosemary gathers the courage to grapple with the 150-year-old woman's confused and malevolent thoughts. This courage, in turn, enables Rosemary to claim a place in her loving, yet competitive, family. Even the witch becomes a sympathetic figure as Rosemary leads her and readers to understand that home is not a collection of things, but rather warmth, company, and emotional comfort.
- Cindy Darling Codell, Belmont Junior High School, Winchester, KY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Trophy Pr (January 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064404943
• ISBN-13: 978-0064404945
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,403,425 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book, great for a middle schooler., November 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rosemary's Witch (Hardcover)

I really liked this book because Rosemary is the same age as me,and she has to go and find a witch. Rosemary likes to achieve her goals. she was a good character.She did achieve her goal.The one thing I liked was when Rosemary finds she does not have a title,like her father is a history teacher,and hermother is a dancer,and her brother wants to be an archeoligist, but she does not have one. She later finds she does not need one. So that is why I like this book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rosemary's witch, March 8, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Rosemary's Witch (Paperback)

Rosemary's Witch
The novel Rosemary's witch, by Ann Turner is a story about two young neighbors who are best friends and they try to find out why this witch is taking things from them. Ernie, a chubby boy, who lives down the street, from Rosemary Morgenthau, Ernie's best friend. Rosemary, a girl who moves into a 150-year-old witches house in a town called Woodhaven and she finds out that the witch wants her house back.
Rosemary and Ernie go to the witches house, which is in Rosemary's backyard and they try to find out what she wants and why she wants it. What I like about Rosemary is that she's only eleven-years-old and she's very brave. She's brave enough to face a witch. My favorite part of the book was when she became friends and when she was picking on Ernie before they tried to find out what she wanted, and my least favorite part was when the toads were all over the streets. I think the ending of this book is good because it acts as if there is going to be a part two, another section.
I like the way that Ann Turner writes her books, she gives just enough information; not too much and not too little. Her vocabulary is a little but not much easier than it should be. I think that she wrote the book for ages 12-15. I would recommend this book because it teaches you to be brave and don't hold back on your dreams or on your accomplishments!