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22
Aug

Thrice Interview: THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN WITCHES

Hi! Today we’re celebrating Lauren Magaziner’s middle-grade debut, THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN WITCHES, which came out last Thursday!

Before we start — why are they called Thrice interviews? The original titles for the Cahill Witch Chronicles were THRICE BLESSED, THRICE CURSED, and THRICE FATED. I have a tattoo with the word thrice, which is partly to remind me how joyful writing that first book was, back when it was just mine, and partly because I like threes. Cate Cahill is the oldest of three sisters, as am I. My birthday is May 3; my anniversary is Sept 30. So there’s a natural theme to these interview questions…

only thing worse 

Roald Dahl meets Eva Ibbotson in this hilarious middle grade debut perfect for reading aloud.

Rupert Campbell is fascinated by the witches who live nearby. He dreams of broomstick tours and souvenir potions, but Rupert’s mother forbids him from even looking at that part of town. The closest he can get to a witchy experience is sitting in class with his awful teacher Mrs. Frabbleknacker, who smells like bellybutton lint and forbids Rupert’s classmates from talking to each other before, during, and after class. So when he sees an ad to become a witch’s apprentice, Rupert simply can’t resist applying.

But Witchling Two isn’t exactly what Rupert expected. With a hankering for lollipops and the magical aptitude of a toad, she needs all the help she can get to pass her exams and become a full-fledged witch. She’s determined to help Rupert stand up to dreadful Mrs. Frabbleknacker too, but the witchling’s magic will be as useful as a clump of seaweed unless Rupert can figure out a way to help her improve her spellcasting—and fast!

“Fifth-grader Rupert Campbell lives in a world that combines Roald Dahl’s Witches and Louis Sachar’sWayside School….readers will banish themselves from the ordinary world to finish this book in a flash.” -Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Now for our interview with Lauren:​

1. Describe your main character in 3 adjectives + a noun.

Rupert is a clever, curious, quietly-disobedient 5th grader.

2. Describe your book in 3 adjectives + a noun.

THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN WITCHES is a magical, sillyshorts, whimsical frolic. (JS: I love this description! So fun!)

3. Describe yourself in 3 adjectives + a noun.

I am a silly, funny, creative dreamer.

4. If you could travel to any 3 countries, what would they be?

Australia, Austria, and Iceland (JS: Iceland is on my list, too!)

5. If you could take any 3 non-writing-related classes, what would they be?

Philosophy, Physics, and Medieval European History

6. If you could have any 3 alternate careers, what would they be?

International Secret Agent/Spy, Ice Cream Taste-tester, and Eccentric/Reclusive Inventor (JS: Ooh, ice cream taste-tester? Yes, please!)

7. What are your 3 favorite flowers?

Thistles, Roses, and Water Lilies

8. What are your 3 favorite foods?

Cheesesteaks, Ice Cream, and Matzah Ball Soup

9. What are your 3 favorite books?

HARRY POTTER, SIDEWAYS STORIES FROM WAYSIDE SCHOOL, and GONE GIRL

Thanks for stopping by, Lauren! Congratulations on your debut!

You can find out more about Lauren and THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN WITCHES at her website or by following her on twitter or Facebook.

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