A lovely book for children of all ages. The different characters are charmingly depicted, with some extreme traits but nevertheless recognisable. The school setting is engaging and a pleasure to visit, with lots of nice witchy touches.

** I was given a free arc of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review **

I do so adore the 'Worst Witch' series by Jill Murphy. They're quick fun reads. While they don't exactly have a moral, the cast all have interesting character. It has been a delight over the last couple of years, to read about Mildred's adventures, and see if she can work herself out of all of the disastrous scrapes she seems to find herself in.

Without giving too much away, I think First Prize for the Worst Witch might be my favorite installment yet. It's the same flavor from the rest of the series, with a stronger reading level for those who are growing their reading skills alongside the books.

I was terrified that we were in for more nastiness courtesy of Ethel Hallow, but as Miss Cackle put it, "We're trying something new this year." This was a wonderful and I'm excited and hopeful to see the rest of Mildred's story in the future.

This was a great addition to the series! I really enjoyed reading about how Mildred Hubble works with the ups and downs of her witchy life. It's perfect for readers ages 7-10.

Thank you, Candlewick Press, for reissuing this — pardon the pun — magical series featuring witch-in-training Mildred Hubble. Before there was Harry Potter, before there was the TV series "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" (even the cheery original), before there was "Kiki’s Delivery Service," there was Mildred, an impetuous, clumsy and unlucky girl who first appeared in 1974. Despite her ill fortune, Mildred saves the day through her ingenuity and the help of her fast friends, Maud Spellbody and Enid Nightshade. A wonderful message for children who feel that nothing goes right.

In this, the eighth and latest book in the series, Star, the stray dog Mildred found in a previous book, is reclaimed by his owners. Heartbroken, Mildred seeks to find a way to be reunited with her dog. She also wishes that her arch-nemesis Ethel Hallow wouldn’t win all the prizes at the end of the year. No spoiler to reveal that Mildred gets recognized for her kindness and good intentions. (It’s in the title!)

Each book in the series covers one semester of the five years at Miss Crackle’s Academy for Witches, so we can expect two more. But newbies to author Jill Murphy’s humorous, good-natured series will enjoy this book as much as longtime fans.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
This was on par with other books in the series. If you like the rest of the series, you won't be disappointed in this addition.

A lovely addition to the Worst Witch series, which follows the misadventures of a young witch at Miss Cackle's Academy. I loved how, in this last book, Mildred's talent for learning from all her mistakes is celebrated.

It's funny, highly entertaining and well written. I didn't read the other books in this series but I had no issues with the plot or the characters.
The author is a good storyteller and I loved the humor, the character development and the world building.
It's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I have loved this book series since I was a young reader, and I happily recommend them to a new generation of readers at my library, so you can imagine my delight at discovering a new addition to the series! First Prize for the Worst Witch was such fun to read! I loved returning to Cackles Academy and seeing the payoff of the big contest from the previous book! I also love seeing the growth of Mildred over the course of the stories as well. This volume really allowed that character development to shine as Mildred was put in a position of trying to push herself to a seemingly impossible goal, and also trying to do right by her friends.

First Prize for the Worst Witch sees our heroine Mildred Hubble back at Cackles, a magical boarding school. Mildred's hopes of a fun year with her friends are soon thrown into disarray when rival Ethel Hallow discovers Mildred's dog actually belongs to a travelling circus nearby.

Mildred can't bear being away from Star, and is distraught when told to give him back. It's not long before she, Maud and Enid are devising a plan to get Star back. In the meantime, there's plenty of things happening at the castle, including a swimming pool and secret spells.

I appreciated Mildred's strong friendship, devotion to her dog and (sometimes) inattention to detail - these traits make her a constant source of teacher attention but also relatable to the reader. Enid is a bit of a tornado of chaos, while Maud is dedicated to doing the right thing.

I was a bit surprised that there weren't any real consequences for how the gang end up solving the puzzle of retrieving Star, and thought some of the ending was a bit convenient, This is the last book in the series - I would have liked to see how Mildred and Co, went after the book ended.

Suggested for younger fans of witches, wizards and of course, the recent Netflix series.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have not read any of the previous books in this series, so I am reviewing this book as a stand alone. This story was so much fun, and the illustrations are delightful. It is full of interesting and amusing characters, not to mention magic and mayhem. Mildred and her friends are at the end of their penultimate year at Miss Cackle’s Academy, and are hoping to win prizes. Then it all seems to go wrong, and they have to put it right!

This was a great light-hearted tale of magic and friendship, and everything coming right in the end! I definitely recommend it.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

A missing circus dog, a chance of an important prize and the usual cast of Miss Cackle, Miss Bat, Miss Hardbroom, Mildred, Maud, Enid, Ethel and Druisilla make up another fun story at Cackles Academy. It’s as well and reliably written as they always have been for primary school/middle grade children with themes of school life, magic, friendship and teamwork, mixed in with humour, this series always entertains and is perfect for reading for pleasure. Whether you’re new to this series or an established reader to them, this is a book you can dive right into.

Mildred Hubble, the most haphazard witch in Cackles Academy is back for the summer term, as are her fellow witchy class mates. She still has her trusty cat – Tabby, plus a tortoise – Einstein and another addition from last term – a dog – Star.
There’s fun with trying to get a Fourth Year Firsts prize and what Mildred really wants is to be picked as Head Girl. That gets Maud giggling so much! Readers of this series will know that Mildred’s reputation isn’t exactly favourable in Cackles Academy and her witch skills leave a lot to be desired. Ethel Hallow is also bemused by her even reaching fourth year!

There’s also the addition to the school – a swimming pool with all manner of pond life in it, which causes excitement and ideas, which leads to creating spells that go wrong, leaving Miss Hardbroom (HB) to fix things out with a Selkie.

Druisilla and Ethel discovered a poster that shows Star to actually be a missing dog from a circus and Miss Cackle and Miss Hardbroom are left to deal with it, a situation, Mildred only goes and makes worse for those involved, including the Brilliantines at the circus.

Ethel and Druisilla are still up to their tricks on poor Mildred, to sabotage anything she wants to try and acheive. Maud and Enid are never too far behind, trying to keep her spirits up.

It’s another joyous addition to the Worst Witch series. I’ve read from this series since I was a child and more recently, to school children and it still never fails to entertain.

Mildred Hubble was flying on her way to miss cackles academy. She is ready to move up soon and start wearing an uniform . Mildred is flying with her dog star which I think is a cute name. I didn't think the story was too cutesy but I was bored.

First Prize for the Worst Witch by Jill Murphy

Mildred is back with all her friends and animal companions, including her dog, Star, with Amazing acrobatic skills. He loves flying alongside Mildred on her broomstick.

Unfortunately, as usual Ethel and her friends are keen to stir up trouble. When Drusilla stumbles across a missing poster for Star, Ethel can’t wait to inform Miss Cackle and poor Mildred is forced to give Star back to the Circus forever unless an alternative act can be found. Mildred's going to need her friends help to come up with a plan to find an alternative act for the circus and rescue Star and the other circus animals.

As usual, the latest book in The Worst Witch series is all about the ups and down of Mildred’s school life.

When I read this book, I found myself transported back to my seven year old self, who saw herself in Mildred and the challenges she faces. I’m sure many young readers feel the same. Any child who knows what it’s like to lose a beloved pet will feel Mildred's anguish at losing Star. They'll be flying along with Mildred, hoping everything works out in the end. It’s another winning story for The Worst Witch.

5 out of 5 stars. With thanks to Candlewick Press and NetGalley for this ARC, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

I received an electronic ARC from Candlewick Press through NetGalley.
Latest in the series about Mildred. They move through Year Four in this book. Murphy spins a delightful story about Mildred and her friends Maud and Enid along with her archenemy, Edith. Her text and the illustrations make readers part of the adventures. Mildred has her flaws and quirks and younger readers will relate to her successes and failures. She's an example of showing GRIT and solving problems.

The Worst Witch books are a popular series for young readers.  They have also been made into a Netflix series.  So, children who know these books, and new readers, should both be delighted to add this book to their shelves.  It will give them an enjoyable and fun read.


Much like in Harry Potter, Jill Murphy creates an entire world for her characters.  It is based on British boarding schools but with its own take as Miss Cackle's Academy.  This entry starts with Mildred flying to school on her broomstick.  Readers are immediately engaged as Mildred alters her flying height for her dog's comfort, but what is bothering him?  And, the adventures go on from there.


I recommend this title highly.  It is fun and imaginative.  Those who are beginning to explore the joys of chapter books should delight in this one.


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

"First Prize for the Worst Witch" is a cute children's story and I liked it better than the first part in the series.