Maya's Story

The third book of the Backyard Witch series, by acclaimed authors Christine Heppermann and Ron Koertge, stars a spelling bee almost-champion, an imaginary chicken, and Ms. M, the mysterious witch who always appears when you need her. Fans of Ivy + Bean, Dory Fantasmagory, and Clementine will find much to love about the Backyard Witch.

Maya has been preparing for the school spelling bee F-O-R-E-V-E-R. She spells every unusual word she hears, and even enlists her best friends, Sadie and Jess, to help her practice. But on the day of the bee, something terrible happens—Maya loses. To Sadie. Enter Ms. M, who is substituting for the school librarian. Ms. M always knows just how to make everyone feel better . . . but she also always brings a little mischief. This time it involves a library poltergeist and an imaginary chicken!

Short chapters filled with illustrator Deborah Marcero’s striking, lively black-and-white illustrations make the Backyard Witch series a must-have for young middle grade readers.