Elizabeth just moved to a new apartment, which means she’s stuck in a new school. It’s hard to make friends at a new school. Her mother wants her to be friends with Cynthia, who lives in the same apartment building that they do. But Elizabeth doesn’t like her. She one of those girls who acts all nice when a grown-up is around, and as soon as the grown-up is gone, she’s mean and stuck-up.

And then Elizabeth meets Jennifer. Jennifer isn’t like the other kids at school. She’s always reading. In fact, she can walk and read a book at the same time without running into anything or tripping. She leaves Elizabeth notes tacked to the tree that she passes on her way to school. The notes are mysterious and in fancy handwriting. And then Elizabeth finds out the truth about Jennifer—that she’s a witch. And fortunately for Elizabeth, she’s looking for a apprentice to mentor, someone she can cast spells with.

Elizabeth enjoys spending time with Jennifer, and she’s intrigued at the thought of being a witch. But apprentice witches have a lot of rules, and Elizabeth doesn’t like that Jennifer is always bossing her around. And that she keeps secrets from her. So Elizabeth has to decide if the friendship with Jennifer is worth the sacrifice, or if she’s better off on her own.

Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth is one of E.L. Konigsburg’s Newbery Award winning books for ages 8-12 (and up, I have to say, since I haven’t been in that category for a very long time).

I first read this book when I was a kid, after I’d devoured her From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Now, every year, when schools start back up, leaves start falling down, and Halloween is just around the corner, I get the urge to pull it out and read it all over again. I cannot resist this book. I love the characters and I love to hang out with them every year. They’re old friends now, and reading about how they met and became friends takes me back to my time in elementary school. This book is a winner for all ages.