Competition's a Witch [Paperback]

After discovering that her ex-best friend back in Beverly Hills moved in on the guy she was crushing on the moment she was forced to move halfway across the United States to Salem, Massachusetts, sixteen-year-old Prudence "Pru" Stewart resolved that it was time to get her witch on. Convinced that there's no place for her left in Beverly Hills, Pru takes matters into her own hands, and begins studying magic during every waking moment. But, alas, she's still stuck in remedial classes at Agatha's Day School for Witches, which is seriously cramping her style. Pru is used to being the reigning queen when it comes to everything - from schoolwork to cheerleading - but at Agatha's, Pru is stuck at the bottom of the totem pole, clawing her way to the top. Sure, she's managed to land a spot on Agatha's cheerleading squad, but even there she can't outshine her teammates, because all of their tricks are done using magic, and Pru is too reliant on gravity. Besides, being stuck in Magic for Dummies isn't helping matters. Witches in remedial classes have absolutely no chance in being named Team Captain. Which is why Pru has decided to change things up a bit. Currently, Pru is stuck in the mind-set of a mortal, which is highly frowned upon at Agatha's, where you're surrounded by all witches, all the time. Not only does Pru talk like a mortal, but she also walks and cheers like one, as well, making her an individual to avoid at all costs. Determined to shake the worries of being discovered by her fellow witches, Pru vows to do one very difficult thing: lose the earthly ways that she's been brought up with, and embrace her inner witch. It sounds easy enough, but having to give up her most prized possessions - her car, her cell phone, and the ability to date totally cute mortal boys, namely the one next-door - proves near impossible. Pru would do absolutely anything to prove her loyalty to her fellow witches, but when you have sixteen years of mortal living in your mind, things can get a little tricky. Especially when the ultra-adorable mortal next-door, Angelo, steps into your life. Pru had no idea that her new neighborhood housed such hotties, but when she's introduced to Angelo, sparks fly, and Pru begins to re-think her stance on putting the ax to all things mortal. After all, Angelo is semi-hard to avoid. Not only is he tending Pru's front lawn, but his nosy mother keeps hanging around, meaning that Angelo is always close at hand, darting curious, and uber-cute glances at her whenever he has the chance. Now, as much as she'd love to cuddle with a mortal, Pru needs to make a tough decision, drop her mortal ways - including the cutie next-door - or dropkick the witch inside her and get back her old life - the life that was perfect before she was forced to leave it all behind. Making the decision, however, proves to be difficult, especially when Angelo's spell isn't easily broken.

Pru won my heart in THE SALEM WITCH TRYOUTS, and only managed to appeal even more to me with her appearance in COMPETITION'S A WITCH. Kelly McClymer has, once again, blended the ultra-hip worlds of TV's SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH, CHARMED, and BRING IT ON, to create the perfect blend of teenage drama, mixed with a little magic. Pru is an adorable character, who is easy to relate to, and extremely hard to resist. Her difficulties with fitting in at a new school, and trying to find a place where she belongs in a world where she's basically an outcast is tear-jerking at times, and really works to make the reader sympathize with her as she attempts to make her voice heard above the chorus of doubters surrounding her. Pru's determination to prove that she has what it takes to make a good witch, and work to whip her new squad into shape for the mortal-based regional cheerleading competition really show her bravery, as she faces so much negativity. The introduction of Angelo, while an intriguing love interest for our favorite wannabe-witch, is a slightly sketchy character, whose constant nosiness, and unplanned drop-ins make the reader wary of his character, and speculating whether he's not trying to uncover dirt about Pru's family; while the disappearance of Pru's one-time crush, Daniel, brings thoughts regarding whether or not the rebellious hottie will suddenly drop-in once again sometime in the future. A magical trip through the difficulties of teenage-dom that leaves you cheering. Bewitching!

Erika Sorocco

Freelance Reviewer

In book one of this series, The Salem Witch Tryouts, Prudence Stewart was moved from Beverly Hills to Salem Massachusetts. Now one month later and sure, Pru's still stuck in Magic for Dummies -- but at least she made the cheerleading squad.

Now Pru has to work even harder on becoming just like her new witch friends. Not only does she have to cram for testing out of remedial magic but she has to learn to cheer with magic while hoping no one on the team catches on that she's not up to their standards and convince the team to learn how cheer like mortals so they win the regional cheer competition. To make things worse she's just met the mortal hottie next door and whenever he's around she can't focus on anything but him.

I have to say that as much as I loved book one, I just didn't feel the same about this book. The storyline didn't have the same pull as the first one. It felt to me like this book could have been condensed into a chapter of book one without losing anything. I plan on finishing the series with book three so I hope it get's better.

Prudence and her family have moved from sunny California to Salem, Massachusetts. When we last left Pru, she had settled into her new school, Agatha's Day School for Witches. Thankfully, she had made the school's cheerleading squad, but she is forbidden to cheer against other witch schools. Prudence had grown up unaware that her mother was a witch. With a drastic decision, her parents moved back to Salem so that Prudence and her brother could begin proper witch education to learn about their powers.

It seemed to take forever, but Prudence managed to make the team; however, until she passes her remedial magic classes, she's stuck on the sidelines. This is terribly not KEWL (Prudence's term). Prudence is DETERMINED to conquer remedial magic and get back into the normal classes. If she can accomplish that, she may just fit into her new school after all.

Her mom enlists the aid of Uncle Seamus for tutoring sessions. Also, her "sort of friend" Samuel assists in extra tutoring lessons. Prudence is determined to give up all her mortal ways to speed her education along. But her next door neighbor adds an extra glitch to the equation. Angelo is simply gorgeous. Angelo is so hot that Prudence's rival, Tara, wants to get to know him.

Trying to fit in with the rest of the girls at school, Prudence and her mother plan a Sweet Sixteen party. Trying out her newfound magic, Prudence creates magical invitations. Magical for everyone but Angelo, that is. Having mortal neighbors makes practicing her magic that much harder.

Finally achieving her goal, Prudence can now concentrate solely on her cheerleading. The coach is positive that Prudence can take them all the way to Nationals. Before leaving her California school, Pru was the head cheerleader and her team had won the National title. But cheering in the air rather than on the ground is a whole different skill set. The remainder of the story builds up to a chaotic cheering competition that no mortal could handle!

Prudence goes through ups and downs trying to adjust to a life that she's never known before. Her younger brother has an aptitude for magic that she just can't comprehend. Through her family and friends, Pru slowly begins to realize her potential. Hiding her other life from her next-door neighbor keeps things interesting and amusing.

Ms. McClymer writes a fun look at what high school might be like for a mortal finding out that they've been a witch all along. COMPETITIONS'S A WITCH is the second novel in the series. It picks up where SALEM WITCH TRYOUTS leaves off, and leaves the story wide open for the continuation of SHE'S A WITCH GIRL. The story will have special appeal for the cheerleader in all of us. You'll be rooting for Prudence to come out on top!

Reviewed by: Jaglvr