Diary of an Accidental Witch: Flying High

4 reviews for Diary of an Accidental Witch: Flying High

1. 

   Kristen Hopwood – December 23, 2021

   ‘Diary of an accidental witch: flying high’ is the second instalment of the diary of Bea Black, student at the School of Extraordinary Arts in Little Spellshire. It picks up right where the first book left off and takes place during Bea’s second half term at the school. It’s the half term holidays and Bea’s friend and neighbour, Ash, wants to hang out with her. However, he isn’t a witch and doesn’t know that Bea is as he attends the very ordinary Spellshire Academy. Bea’s got some unusual homework to do like levitate objects and find sneezewort and mad dogweed in the forest which is taking up most of her time. Her witch friends Winnie, Amara, Puck and Fabi tell her about the extremely exciting Grand Tournament that always takes place during the upcoming half term. It’s the witch equivalent of sports’ day, including sports like ‘Go’, a witch sport played on broomsticks which Bea happens to love. Bea finds it increasingly difficult to juggle magical and non-magical friends. They can’t all meet up together as there are too many magical things she can’t mention in front of Ash.
   Just as with the first book, Katie Saunders’ illustrations make it look like a real diary with doodles in the margins, words crossed out and things stuck in. The story is just as enjoyable as the first and full of humour. The characters are likeable and the way they attempt to navigate friendships and school life is realistic, despite the magical setting! I was excited to return to Little Spellshire and I wasn’t disappointed.

2. 

   Alina – January 21, 2022

   THE WORST WITCH meets KID NORMAL.

   The idea of diary series set in a witch school is absolutely brilliant! Wow. This book is full of heart and humour, and I enjoyed reading it so much that I’m planning to order the first book tomorrow. I loved it all – the premise, the format, the voice, Katie Saunders’s illustrations, the title, Stan the frog, the Winter Solstice Grand Tournament, Bea’s goals lists, the Egg, the weirdest weather in the world, Bea’s friends and her relationship with her weather-scientist dad, etc.

   One of the main themes is that different doesn’t mean less good.

   I found the diary entries about the flying moves rather boring, but other than that this book is so wonderful that words fail me! I look forward to reading the next book about Bea and her friends. Hopefully, it will be about the next term’s Year Seven residential trip!

3. 

   Schizanthus Nerd – February 2, 2022

   Bea starts her second diary at the beginning of November, on the first day of half-term. It’s only fifty days until Winter Solstice, which is the “longest and witchiest night of the year”. Before that, though, the students at the School of Extraordinary Arts will be participating in the Grand Tournament, which is “only the biggest, SPORTIEST day in the witchy calendar!”

   Bea has learned a lot since we first met her. Our witch-in-training is getting better at flying and her levitation skills are improving. Her incantations may also, well, she needs to find words that rhyme with ‘piggle’ before we discover how she’s faring with those.

   There’s still an us and them mentality in Little Spellshire, with Witches and Ordinaries staying well away from one another. This makes it awkward for Bea because, coming from a family of Ordinaries but training to be a witch, Bea has a foot in each world. She’s also friends with Ash, the Ordinary next door, but can’t tell him she’s a witch, no matter how much she wants to.

   ‘Those of us who know, know and those of them who don’t, can’t.’

   Something’s going on with Ash as well and Bea means to ask him what it is, really she does, but she’s just so busy. She needs to prepare for both the Grand Tournament and the Winter Solstice, and take care of Stan and Egg. And there’s homework to do too.

   I enjoyed this book just as much I did the first in the series. With a focus on friendships and breaking down the barriers between people, this was a fun read that also included some sage advice.

   “Friendships are a bit like eggs you know, Bea. They can be fragile. Best to look after them carefully.”

   Katie Saunders’ illustrations bring Bea’s diary to life. I particularly loved the froggy pictures and the ones that showcase the fashionistas that are Bea’s School of Extraordinary Arts’ friends.

   I’m looking forward to next term. There’s going to be a residential trip for Year Seven students and a new teacher to meet. I don’t know about you but a geography teacher who is a “world expert on caves, lairs and unexplained snares” sounds like someone I need to befriend, if only so I’m invited along for their adventures.

   Thank you so much to NetGalley and Little Tiger Group, an imprint of Stripes Publishing, for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 4.5 stars.

4. 

   Daphne Sharpe – February 5, 2022

   This highly entertaining read is the second in this series, but can be enjoyed as a standalone.
   Bea Black is a scholar at the school of Extraordinary Arts in Spellshire, where her father accidentally enrolled her, this is now her second year. She is becoming more confident of her abilities and has started to make friends, both with fellow students and non magic friends, especially Ash who lives nearby. He doesn’t know Bea is a witch and that makes her homework interesting, levitating spells and chemical formulas in particular. After a fight between both schools, a non- magic sports day has been arranged, in order to foster friendships, using magic is forbidden, and the children accept this far better than the teachers!!
   The sports day is hilarious, and this book teaches us that politeness, honesty and fairness are in abundance, even the most spiteful , nasty bully has a heart of gold. It also emphasises that being different ( a witch ) doesn’t preclude friendships with ordinary mortals ( Ash ).
   Written in diary form, with many amusing corrections, this will appeal to both sexes in years 2&3. My daughter grew up with The Worst Witch books, and now , aged 37, is obsessed with Harry Potter. This is a lovely book to be read aloud by a class teacher, my daughter in law teaches this particular age group, perhaps this will find a place on her bookshelf!!
   Many thanks to Danni Price at Little Tiger group, who really pulled out all the stops when my Kindle absolutely refused point blank to download this book in any readable state! I’m so pleased we both persevered, as this book is not my usual read , but with young grandchildren about, I’m really rather keen to find books that amuse and entertain them when I Child mind for them.
   Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, Tiger stripes and Little Tiger group, for my printed book , in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. It has been a real giggle to read this novel, I now plan to read the first in this series, and will hope to read the third in the future.
   I have given this a five star rating. I will post to Goodreads and Little Tiger group and Amazon.