GA

SUPER READERS
Title:  Which Witch?
Author:  Eva Ibbotson
Reviewed by : 
Reviewer:  Rachael B. '11

Which Witch is a story about a wizard named Arriman the Awful. He holds a contest to marry a witch who is equally as black as him. Seven witches join the contest. Their names are; Mabel Wack, Nora and Nancy Shouter, Mother Bloodwart, Ethel Feedbag, Mrs.Olympia, and Belladona.

One of these witches has a slight problem. Belladona is a white witch and can only do good things and the way you win the contest is if you do the blackest thing and get the highest score.  Who will Arriman choose? You'll have to read the book to find out.

I enjoyed this book because it was suspenseful and unpredictable.

Summer 2003

 
Reviewer:  Sarah D. '10
Which Witch is a book about a wizard named Arriman who is the greatest in the land until a gypsy named Esmerelda tells him that an even greater wizard is yet to come.  Since he is a wizard, Arriman makes something called the "WizardWatcher" to wait on the end of his driveway to watch for the wizard. When the Wizard watcher has no luck, Arriman's assistant Mr. Leadbetter brings up the idea of marriage. Arriman goes into a rage, but finds that it might be the only way.  He and Mr. Leadbetter organize a contest for the witches of Todcaster so that  whoever does the most evil magic will marry Arriman.  There are seven witches ranging from one that turns herself into a coffee table to another that makes begonias sprout up at her feet. Which witch will win the contest? Find out when you read Which Witch?"

Winter 2003

Reviewer: Hamish P. '09

From the day Arriman is born, his parents know something is wrong with him. His father studies Arriman's strange behavior and finds out Arriman is a wizard. His parents show him how to use his magic. Arriman moves away and lives in a place called Darkington with his secretary, Mr. Leadbetter, and an ogre, Lester. One day Arriman gets bored and asks his secretary what he should do. Mr. Leadbetter suggests to Arriman to get his fortune told.  Esmarelda, the fortune teller, tells Arriman that a powerful wizard will kill him. Arriman is shaken and asks Lester what he should do. Lester suggests that Arriman get married.

Who should Arriman marry? How does Arriman find a witch to marry? Read the book to find out the hilarious ways they set about to find a witch for Arriman to marry.

I really enjoyed this book. It is funny, disgusting, and romantic. It is funny when a Karken (a sea monster) thinks Arriman is its daddy. It is disgusting when a witch named Madam Olympia conjures up a spell called Sphany of Death where all these rats appear and eat each other alive until one rat is left and eats itself.  It is romantic when Arriman falls in love with Belladonna.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and folklore.

Fall 2001

Reviewer:  Kevin W. ‘08

Which Witch? is about a white witch named Belladona who is in love with a a very black wizard name Arriman the Awful. Arriman has been waiting for a new wizard to take his place. When no one shows up, he decides to get married to a witch so he can have a black wizard as a son who will one day take his place. Arriman proposes a contest to all witches and the winner will become his wife. The witches must impress him with spell or magic. Belladona has never done anything black in her life, but she is determined to wed Arriman. I would recommend Which Witch to people who like books that have witches and wizards in it. There is a lot of comedy and it isn’t very serious. It is perfect for fans of Harry Potter. I loved this book and I hope you enjoy it, too.

Spring 2001

Reviewer:    Matt P. ’08

Which Witch is a good book about a dark wizard who has to chose a bride. But the way he goes about this is he has a contest. Whoever can perform the darkest act of wizardry will win. The one who loves him most is a good wizardress. She has to find out how she can marry him.

Spring 2001

Reviewer: Meera S. ’08

This book is about a wizard that is very powerful and evil. He is the wizard of darkness. He is looking for a wife and he sees some amazing spells cast by the witches. He holds a little contest to decide which witch he will choose to be his wizardess of darkness. The wife he chooses must have performed the most powerful dark magic. Belladona is a witch of white which means she can do all good magic but not bad magic. She must find a way to win this contest with the help of some of Arriman’s (the wizard) helpers. To find out if she wins the contest read the book.

Spring 2001

Reviewer:  Katie C. '08

Arriman, a wizard, is getting old and must marry a witch so that he will have a son who can take his place.   So Arriman goes to a witches' convention to announce a contest in which the witch with the best dark magic will marry him. Here are the witches in the competition: Mabel Wrack who is part mermaid, Ethel Feedbag who is very fat, the Shouter twins, Nancy and Nora, who always disagree about everything, Madame Olympia who is a banshee, Mother Bloodwort, who is very old, and Belladonna, who is a white witch.

Belladonna wants to be Arriman's wife, but she is white.  Will Belladonna get black?  Will she marry Arriman?  Find out in this book.

Spring 2001

Reviewer:   Michele M. ‘08

Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson, is about a black wizard, named Arriman Cranker who is very powerful and needs a young wizard to take his place when he gets too old to rule Todcaster and the castle of Darkington. His secretary asks, "Have you ever, Sir, considered marriage?" Arriman isn’t thrilled with the idea, but agrees, and they decide to have a contest. The blackest witch will wed Arriman the Awful. The seven witches of Todcaster are the ones to enter the contest. They all have to perform their own spell. They each have to wear masks and hooded cloaks. I really enjoyed reading this book and I encourage you to read it, too. If you want to find out who will become Mrs. Arriman Cranker, read Which Witch? by Eva Ibboston, to find out!

Spring 2001


5th Grade Super Readers
Betty Grant - Lower School Reading Specialist
Andrea Owens - Home Page Coordinator
Germantown Academy

Super Readers | Lower SchoolGAnet