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The Witches of Worm

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Newbery Honor-ed tale not for scaredy cats.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A cat is seemingly possessed and a girl uses that to excuse some pretty bad behavior. Everyone eventually comes to their senses and feels remorse. One parent is often absent and selfish.

  • Violence:

    A creepy cat brings on the chills, and a girl thinks about setting her neighbor's apartment on fire.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of The Witches of Worm was written by Terreece Clarke

Parents need to know that this book deals with a mischievous kid who believes her cat is possessed and telling her to do bad things. They should be prepared to answer questions about witchcraft and exorcism, and to deal with cases of the heebie-jeebies.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about taking responsibility for one's actions. When Jessica got out of trouble by lying, how did it make her feel? Have you ever done something wrong and gotten away with it? How did you feel afterward? Did you come clean?
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More on The Witches of Worm

Book Summary

Jessica Porter, often left alone by her mom and recently on the outs with her best friend, takes up with a strange cat named Worm. When Jessica found him she didn't even like cats, but she started taking care of him anyway. Now she feels like she's somehow under his spell. Is he really talking to her, telling her to do bad things, or is she just imagining it?
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Is It Any Good?

Zilpha Keatley Snyder's Newbery Honor-ed tale is fun, spooky, and ideal for anyone who has found themselves joking, "the devil made me do it." A great thing about Snyder's style is she finds a way to weave great detail and information into a story without overloading it or making the reader feel like they are being lectured. There is a moral to the story, but Snyder presents it with subtlety. Kids who love a good mystery will eat this one up.
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Publisher’s Details

Publisher: Yearling Books, Publication date: 02/01/1986
Number of pages: 183, Price: $6.50 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 9-12, Read Alone: 9-12

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