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Diary of an Accidental Witch

#1 of 4 in Diary of an Accidental Witch Series

illustrations by
4.10
on Goodreads (165)

What’s inside...

Bea Black has recently moved to Little Spellshire, where she inadvertently gets enrolled in a witch school. She must quickly adapt to new magical classes, make friends, and master her wand skills in time for the Halloween Ball, all while trying to keep her magical abilities a secret from her dad. When ordinary girl Bea Black moves to Little Spellshire with her dad, he accidentally enrolls her in the local witch school. What could possibly go wrong? Bea Black has just moved to Little Spellshire with her dad, who accidentally enrolls her in the local witch school. Bea, who is very much NOT a witch, has to tackle complicated classes like potions and levitation, take care of the class frog, and most importantly of all, figure out how to keep her magic a secret from her dad and her best friend! Features black-and-white illustrations throughout. Told through Bea's diary entries, the Diary of an Accidental Witch series invites readers to follow Bea on a humorous journey of self-discovery as she learns where she truly belongs.
In series
Series reading

Non-Sequential

Age

6-9

Length

224 pages

Text complexity

Character compass

Bea Black
Mr. Black
Ms. Spark

Discussion points

How did Bea's feelings change throughout the story, and what events influenced these changes?
What lessons did Bea learn about friendship and trust in her adventures at witch school?
If you were Bea, how would you have handled the mix-up with her magical abilities?
How do the various characters in the story help Bea adapt to her new life as a witch?
What are some ways Bea shows courage and creativity in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their own experiences with school or learning something new to Bea’s experiences at witch school. Discuss the importance of perseverance and friendship, highlighted in the book. Use examples from the book to talk about handling unexpected situations and the value of being open to new experiences. Lastly, emphasize the fun and imaginative aspects of the story to spark creativity in your child.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: Embracing Uniqueness
Explanation: The protagonist, Bea Black, finds herself in a magical school due to an accidental twist of fate, and learns to accept her unique, non-witch background among her supernaturally gifted peers.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate what makes them different and see their unique traits as strengths, even in environments where they may feel like outsiders.
Example Lesson: The Value of Perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the story, Bea faces various challenges in her magical education, but she perseveres, showing determination to succeed despite difficulties.
Real-World Application: This story encourages children to keep pushing forward and working hard, even when faced with tough situations or when learning new skills that may initially seem difficult.
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: Bea builds friendships with other students who are different from her, and these relationships prove essential in navigating her new magical life.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of building and maintaining friendships, demonstrating how friends can support and help one another through various challenges.
Example Lesson: Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: Bea makes several mistakes as she adjusts to her accidental life as a witch, but she learns from each mishap and grows personally and magically.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that mistakes are a part of learning and growing, and that they should view them as opportunities for improvement rather than setbacks.
Example Lesson: Courage to Face the Unknown
Explanation: Bea often faces unfamiliar situations in the magical world, but she tackles them bravely, showing courage and adaptability.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to approach new experiences and challenges with bravery and an open mind, promoting adaptability and resilience.

Diary of an Accidental Witch by Perdita Cargill, Honor Cargill