Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Delacorte Books for Young Readers (2005), 320 pages
Description
Living in New York City with her mother and her younger sister, Miri, fourteen-year-old Rachel tries to persuade Miri, who has recently become a witch, to help her become popular at school and to try to stop their divorced father's wedding.
Subjects
Awards
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2007)
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member FionaCat
Rachel is a freshman at a high school in New York City. Her (former) best friend is busy rehearsing for the big school fashion show, neither of the two boys she has a crush on even know she's alive and now she finds out that her little sister Miri is a witch! Even worse, so is their mom and
But there is a bright side -- if Rachel can just convince Miri to practice some of the spells in her new spell book, maybe her life can get better....
I enjoyed this book with it's magical twist on the typical teenage chick lit formula, sort of Jess Jordan (from Girl, 15, Charming but Insane) goes to Hogwarts. Rachel gets herself into some crazy situations, not always due to Miri's magic. One thing that I really liked about her is that she's not just a boy-obsessed girl whose main goal is to be popular. Rachel is also a math whiz (she won a trophy in math competition) and takes accelerated classes. Smart as she is though, she still gets herself into more than enough trouble!
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apparently Rachel hasn't inherited the magic gene. But there is a bright side -- if Rachel can just convince Miri to practice some of the spells in her new spell book, maybe her life can get better....
I enjoyed this book with it's magical twist on the typical teenage chick lit formula, sort of Jess Jordan (from Girl, 15, Charming but Insane) goes to Hogwarts. Rachel gets herself into some crazy situations, not always due to Miri's magic. One thing that I really liked about her is that she's not just a boy-obsessed girl whose main goal is to be popular. Rachel is also a math whiz (she won a trophy in math competition) and takes accelerated classes. Smart as she is though, she still gets herself into more than enough trouble!
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LibraryThing member scoutlee
I’ve read several of Ms. Mlynowski’s chick lit books and ran across this book at the library. Having enjoyed her adult fiction, I decided to give this one a try. Rachel is just like any teenage girl: worried about wearing the latest fashion, crushing on the cute, popular guy in school and
After getting over the shock (and the disappointment that she’s not a witch), she convinces her sister to use some magic (against their mother’s orders) to help her win over the “in” crowd and break-up her father and soon-to-be step-mother. What Rachel doesn’t realize is, she should be careful what she wishes for because she might just get it.
Although Rachel makes poor choices and uses her sister’s spells for selfish gain, she soon realizes what she thought she wanted isn’t better than what she currently has. Bras & Broomsticks is a light, fun read, however it speaks to an important message: do not take for granted the important people in your life. Also, we sometimes may need a reminder that we cannot force other people to always do or be what we expect of them.
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
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trying to maintain her friendships. It’s not like she doesn’t have enough already on her plate when she discovers her younger sister and her mother are both witches.After getting over the shock (and the disappointment that she’s not a witch), she convinces her sister to use some magic (against their mother’s orders) to help her win over the “in” crowd and break-up her father and soon-to-be step-mother. What Rachel doesn’t realize is, she should be careful what she wishes for because she might just get it.
Although Rachel makes poor choices and uses her sister’s spells for selfish gain, she soon realizes what she thought she wanted isn’t better than what she currently has. Bras & Broomsticks is a light, fun read, however it speaks to an important message: do not take for granted the important people in your life. Also, we sometimes may need a reminder that we cannot force other people to always do or be what we expect of them.
I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
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LibraryThing member JRlibrary
Rachel is in grade nine at a New York City high school. She's at school when she suddenly has a pair of sneakers she wanted on her feet. She doesn't understand, but later that day she finds out that her little sister Miri is a witch! Even worse, so is their mom but Rachel hasn't inherited the magic
Rachel spends a lot of time in the novel trying to get Miri to practice some of the magic spells in her book, which she does, with unintended results.
I'm not sure why, but I just wasn't able to get into this series. I bought the next two, thinking I'd love it, but just could NOT stand to finish even book one. I'm certain there will be people at school who will love them.
In the words of another reviewer: Rachel is not just a boy-obsessed girl whose main goal is to be popular. Rachel is also a math whiz (she won a trophy in math competition) and takes accelerated classes. Smart as she is though, she still gets herself into more than enough trouble!
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gene.Rachel spends a lot of time in the novel trying to get Miri to practice some of the magic spells in her book, which she does, with unintended results.
I'm not sure why, but I just wasn't able to get into this series. I bought the next two, thinking I'd love it, but just could NOT stand to finish even book one. I'm certain there will be people at school who will love them.
In the words of another reviewer: Rachel is not just a boy-obsessed girl whose main goal is to be popular. Rachel is also a math whiz (she won a trophy in math competition) and takes accelerated classes. Smart as she is though, she still gets herself into more than enough trouble!
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LibraryThing member msjoanna
I read this book back to back with the sequel. First, the magic in this book actually plays a much smaller role than I expected and seems less creatively handled than I would have liked. Nonetheless, I thought the trick of narrating the story from the sister of the witch rather than the one with
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powers was clever. Overall, a decent young adult novel, but not great and no especially interesting narrative voice or plot twists. Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Light fluffy story about Rachel who discovers that her sister, Miri and mother are genuine witches, but then Rachel decides that it would be useful for her sister to help her be popular and try to stop the wedding between her father and the potential step monster. Some of the consequences are quite
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interesting. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jenson_AKA_DL
Rachel dreams of being A-List popular. After all her best friend Jewel has become popular and seems very happy about it, even if she almost never speaks to Rachel anymore. However, Rachel figures the odds are not good. That is until her younger sister, Miri, discovers she's a witch. Now Rachel is
At the start of the book I can't say that I really liked Rachel very much because she was so self-involved. Then, I began to look back at my own teenagehood and realized, I was that self-involved at that age! By the time the middle of the book came I was hoping against hope that Rachel and Miri would get away with their schemes, that Rachel would get the boy of her dreams and that everything would turn out okay. I was almost afraid to keep reading on and find out what happened! But, I'm glad I did as this was a very cute, funny tale. I'm really looking forward to reading the next of the series, Frogs and French Kisses. I'd totally recommend the book for girls middle school and up.
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scheming all sorts of things from love spells to potions to get rid of the horrible STB. If only she can get her straight laced, by the book sister to cooperate...At the start of the book I can't say that I really liked Rachel very much because she was so self-involved. Then, I began to look back at my own teenagehood and realized, I was that self-involved at that age! By the time the middle of the book came I was hoping against hope that Rachel and Miri would get away with their schemes, that Rachel would get the boy of her dreams and that everything would turn out okay. I was almost afraid to keep reading on and find out what happened! But, I'm glad I did as this was a very cute, funny tale. I'm really looking forward to reading the next of the series, Frogs and French Kisses. I'd totally recommend the book for girls middle school and up.
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LibraryThing member Euphoria13
Girl is in High School, Girl is not Popular, Girl discovers that she has a way to be popular and...voila! She's popular! I know, i know, we've read way too many books with this storyline, but let me say that this version had a magical twist to it! Can you say Witches and Humor??
I really liked this
But to Rachel, popularity and Raf just seem to be way out of her league... Until Rachel finds out that her mother is a witch and her 12 year old little sister Miri inherits their mother's powers. "Spell books are wasted on the young" Rachel tells herself, if she had her sister's powers she could make herself popular and be among the A-list crowd at her school, not to mention she could make Raf fall in love with her. Wouldn't life be marvelous if she could make that happen?
But her mother warns her and Miri that magic can cause serious damages if not used carefully. Life isn't any better with magic as well. But for Rachel, popularity and Raf would make her life alot better! The question is how does she obtain this if she did not inherit any magical powers from her mother? Rachel then seeks the help of Miri by showing her that she can use her magical powers to not only help her but by helping stop the wedding of their Dad with STB (Step Mother To Be) Jennifer, the woman whom their dad has fallen in love with but does not see just how evil she is when he's not around.
And so begins the comical story of Rachel , juggling High School life, spell supply shopping with Miri, dress fittings and wedding preparations,and being the Cosmic Witness to the spells that Miri conducts.
There were many parts within this book that really made me Laugh Out Loud. I loved the relationship between Rachel and Miri. Its really cute and funny, the older sister seeking the help of the younger sister. Miri is the mature one , while Rachel is the airhead with some smart traits- such as being a math whiz.
Sarah Mlynowski's writing in this book was brilliant!
Fast paced and comical! I loved how she wrote out Rachel's thoughts. I'm sure many teenage girls would enjoy this book! Pick it up for a good laugh!
I really liked this
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book! I was not expecting that at all! Not saying that i had doubts about the book (I didn't) i just didn't think that it would appeal to me. This is the first in the series "Magic In Manhattan"- I definetely want to read the others!14 year old Rachel Weinstein is just another girl in High School, going through her Freshman year. Dreaming about being popular and the guy of her heart's desire- Raf, the gorgeous popular boy at her school.But to Rachel, popularity and Raf just seem to be way out of her league... Until Rachel finds out that her mother is a witch and her 12 year old little sister Miri inherits their mother's powers. "Spell books are wasted on the young" Rachel tells herself, if she had her sister's powers she could make herself popular and be among the A-list crowd at her school, not to mention she could make Raf fall in love with her. Wouldn't life be marvelous if she could make that happen?
But her mother warns her and Miri that magic can cause serious damages if not used carefully. Life isn't any better with magic as well. But for Rachel, popularity and Raf would make her life alot better! The question is how does she obtain this if she did not inherit any magical powers from her mother? Rachel then seeks the help of Miri by showing her that she can use her magical powers to not only help her but by helping stop the wedding of their Dad with STB (Step Mother To Be) Jennifer, the woman whom their dad has fallen in love with but does not see just how evil she is when he's not around.
And so begins the comical story of Rachel , juggling High School life, spell supply shopping with Miri, dress fittings and wedding preparations,and being the Cosmic Witness to the spells that Miri conducts.
There were many parts within this book that really made me Laugh Out Loud. I loved the relationship between Rachel and Miri. Its really cute and funny, the older sister seeking the help of the younger sister. Miri is the mature one , while Rachel is the airhead with some smart traits- such as being a math whiz.
Sarah Mlynowski's writing in this book was brilliant!
Fast paced and comical! I loved how she wrote out Rachel's thoughts. I'm sure many teenage girls would enjoy this book! Pick it up for a good laugh!
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LibraryThing member kirathelibrarian
Being the older sister stinks. Especially when your younger sister turns out to be a witch and your powers are no where in sight. Put on top of that surviving high school, dealing with an evil stepmother-to-be and a father who has no idea about magic and you have this girl's life in a nutshell. Of
A funny, quick read for reluctant and avid readers alike. A great book to give to girls who have to read a fantasy book for school, but prefer realistic or humorous ficiton. The characters are entertaining and likable. The plot has tons of twists and turns. You'll laugh your head off from cover to cover.
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course, Rachel isn't above getting her sister to use magic to get rid of evil said stepmother, getting the most popular guy in school to ask her out, and stealing the limelight at her school's talent show.A funny, quick read for reluctant and avid readers alike. A great book to give to girls who have to read a fantasy book for school, but prefer realistic or humorous ficiton. The characters are entertaining and likable. The plot has tons of twists and turns. You'll laugh your head off from cover to cover.
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LibraryThing member Jellyn
I wasn't sure I'd like this as much as I did. It's very girly. The main character uses her younger sister's newfound witch powers to make herself popular. There's mean girls, there's boys, there's a dance, there's an evil stepmother, etc, etc. And the concept is stolen straight out of Bewitched or
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Sabrina.But.. somehow, I didn't mind. The voice of the main character must've sold it. Even though she keeps denying she's a geek, she likes Star Wars (quite alot) and is really good at math. And while some things were predictable, other things weren't so much.Will I read the next one? Well, I think I may have if it was available as an e-book. But as I begin to forget this book and this character, I'm going to start caring less what happens to her next. So.. I probably won't. Show Less
LibraryThing member mzonderm
The only thing that gets this book two stars that, rather than sticking to the done-before theme of teenager-suddenly-finds-out-she's-a-witch, Mlynowski switches things up a bit and gives us teenager-suddenly-finds-out-that-her-younger-sister-(and her mother)-is-a-witch.
Why did the magical powers
Why did the magical powers
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skip Rachel, and go straight to her younger sister, Miri? Her mother explains that it could be because Miri is more mature than her older sister. Rachel demonstrates her lack of maturity throughout the book, making us all glad that she did not, in fact, get magical powers. Not that, in the end, Miri does much better, repeatedly bending to Rachel's ideas of how to use the powers. Predictable catastrophe ensues, with only a hint that Rachel has learned any of the predictable lessons about true friendship or family or the like. Maybe that's what the sequels are for, but I don't think that I care enough to read them. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jenster
I didn't really like it but it was ok.I would recommed this book to people who like witch craft and like to read something hilarious.I also didn't really like how her sister does magic with her shoes right in the begining chapter.But I would give it a four star rateing because it was good but not
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amazing like I thought it would. Show Less
LibraryThing member kymmayfield
The first in the book and it filled me with trepidation as I don't normally read books with witches and things in it. However it shocked me. The book was a quick read and flowed very easily. One of the first YA books that I have read in a long time that was a complete page turner. These 2 girls
It rated a 4 out of 5.
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think that the Miri being a witch is the best thing in the world and turn to magic to help them in their every day lives and sometimes (most of the time) the consequences are not what they expect. I can't wait for the next one in this series.It rated a 4 out of 5.
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LibraryThing member aperrigo
Pretty fun! Read last year for humor, and enjoyed. Definitely magical! Definitely real life!
LibraryThing member allasan
Bras and Broomsticks is a good book; it is deff. made for youth though. it goes through a series of events that are really interesting. So, overall- good book for youth(middle school?) girl readers
LibraryThing member snapplechick
This book is cute and I felt a lot of girls could relate to Rachel(maybe not about having a witch for a sister)in her struggle to become popular. I can't wait to read te sequel Frogs & Frenchkissing
LibraryThing member cornpuff12
This book is amazing. Have you ever wished that you had superpowers? But in secret? This has everything about the life of a girl, and her mother's/younger sister's special gifts.
LibraryThing member ragulto101
Bras and Broomsticks started out with 14 year-old Rachel waiting for her friend by the lockers and suddenly.... poof!- her black worn-out boots turns into the green shoes she'd seen at Bloomie's .
Mlynowski automatically grabbed the reader's attention.
With Rachel's new Knowledge on her sister and
Mlynowski automatically grabbed the reader's attention.
With Rachel's new Knowledge on her sister and
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her mother's magical powers; Rachel tries to convince her 12 year-old sister Miri to help her stop the wedding between her father and her STB (Soon-to-Be) Stepmother and beyond that she convinces her sister to mix up a spell which will her the gift of dancing to get to know her crush; Raf better and with her new dancing skills she became part of the JFK Fashion Show which will automatically put her on the A-List. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
So now that I have a cd player in my car again I decided that it is time to listen to audiobooks to and from work again. I grabbed this at work last Wednesday and decided to give it a listen. I remember my sister reading this when she was in high school and I was curious about it.
Rachel's sister
Rachel's sister
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Miri develops magical powers. The girls use Miri's powers to try and break up their dad and his girlfriend, get their parents back together, and propel Rachel to the A-List. The beginning of the book struck me as a lot of fun and funny and I thought the narrator did a phenomenal job with all of the different characters voices, especially Miri and Rachel. However there was a point where Rachel got a little bit too selfish for me and I did have a hard time with them trying to screw up the wedding, which I'm willing to admit might have something to do with my own wedding being a week away. Funny with a very strong message, but I haven't decided if I will give the next book in the series a try yet. Show Less
LibraryThing member deslivres5
I found the writing style to be very juvenile, but maybe, taking the characters into consideration, that was the point?!
I wanted to give up on this one, but since it was a triology (I think I was hoping for a Harry Potter-type magical universe) I decided to continue and did enjoy the next two books
I wanted to give up on this one, but since it was a triology (I think I was hoping for a Harry Potter-type magical universe) I decided to continue and did enjoy the next two books
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a wee bit more. Show Less
LibraryThing member willowwaw
A nice little teen novel about a young girls dealings with her magical powers. Had nice meanings about growing up and dealing with unusual circumstances. I would recomend it to some teen readers, but was not a favorite of mine.
LibraryThing member jkmurray
14-year-old Rachel Weinstein is having a good time! Her sister is a witch! Her mother is too! Look at all the magic that can be performed! But there is a sad part of this...she is not...Will her sister help make her crushes like her? Will her sister help her with friend issues? Could this turn into
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a problem? Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
So now that I have a cd player in my car again I decided that it is time to listen to audiobooks to and from work again. I grabbed this at work last Wednesday and decided to give it a listen. I remember my sister reading this when she was in high school and I was curious about it.
Rachel's sister
Rachel's sister
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Miri develops magical powers. The girls use Miri's powers to try and break up their dad and his girlfriend, get their parents back together, and propel Rachel to the A-List. The beginning of the book struck me as a lot of fun and funny and I thought the narrator did a phenomenal job with all of the different characters voices, especially Miri and Rachel. However there was a point where Rachel got a little bit too selfish for me and I did have a hard time with them trying to screw up the wedding, which I'm willing to admit might have something to do with my own wedding being a week away. Funny with a very strong message, but I haven't decided if I will give the next book in the series a try yet. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
So now that I have a cd player in my car again I decided that it is time to listen to audiobooks to and from work again. I grabbed this at work last Wednesday and decided to give it a listen. I remember my sister reading this when she was in high school and I was curious about it.
Rachel's sister
Rachel's sister
Show More
Miri develops magical powers. The girls use Miri's powers to try and break up their dad and his girlfriend, get their parents back together, and propel Rachel to the A-List. The beginning of the book struck me as a lot of fun and funny and I thought the narrator did a phenomenal job with all of the different characters voices, especially Miri and Rachel. However there was a point where Rachel got a little bit too selfish for me and I did have a hard time with them trying to screw up the wedding, which I'm willing to admit might have something to do with my own wedding being a week away. Funny with a very strong message, but I haven't decided if I will give the next book in the series a try yet. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
So now that I have a cd player in my car again I decided that it is time to listen to audiobooks to and from work again. I grabbed this at work last Wednesday and decided to give it a listen. I remember my sister reading this when she was in high school and I was curious about it.
Rachel's sister
Rachel's sister
Show More
Miri develops magical powers. The girls use Miri's powers to try and break up their dad and his girlfriend, get their parents back together, and propel Rachel to the A-List. The beginning of the book struck me as a lot of fun and funny and I thought the narrator did a phenomenal job with all of the different characters voices, especially Miri and Rachel. However there was a point where Rachel got a little bit too selfish for me and I did have a hard time with them trying to screw up the wedding, which I'm willing to admit might have something to do with my own wedding being a week away. Funny with a very strong message, but I haven't decided if I will give the next book in the series a try yet. Show Less
LibraryThing member phoenixcomet
A delightfully funny coming of age book where Rachel suffers the pangs of adolescence and of her father planning to remarry. When she discovers that her sister, Miri is a witch, she manipulates Miri into trying to stop her father from getting remarried. An enjoyable audiobook.
ISBN
0385731817 / 9780385731812