This book was pretty good. It was well developed and well paced as a chapter book. I think 3-6 is the perfect level. The language is simple but not too simple and there’s complexity added with the language of the witch. This story is cute and full of magic reminding me of maybe a Disney movie. The dialogue between the characters provides comic relief and we get to see the stereotypes like when clover first meets the witch and looks for moles and extra fingers. Overall I think this is a pretty good read. ( )

Clover Twig is the organizer, the tidy one, the one who takes charge in a large and messy family. When she starts working for the local witch, Mrs. Eckles, she will need all of these qualities - and more - to make it through her first week!

Clover Twig is a brisk and cheerful heroine, always ready with ideas, cleaning supplies, and common sense. Her tidiness is frequently endangered by the unbelievably clumsy and accident-prone Wilf, but she likes him anyways. Mostly.

The plot is as tidy and well-constructed as Clover Twig's newly cleaned witch's cottage and the characters are fun and memorable. Mrs. Eckles is as endearing a personality as Clover Twig, although she's not without her little secrets. The villains are satisfyingly villainous without being cartoonish and the plot twists and turns are funny and exciting.

Oh, and my only complaint is the cover. If we could have fewer covers featuring girls, it would be easier to get boys reading fun books like this! The British cover is better, although it gives away the plot rather badly. Just my opinion.

Verdict: An excellent step-up from beginning chapter books. Fans of Suzanne Selfors, Angie Sage, and Katie Speck will enjoy this story.

ISBN: 978-1596435070; Published August 2009 by Roaring Brook; ARC provided by publisher at ALA 2009; Purchased for the library; Added to my personal wishlist

This silly tale will make you laugh out loud as you see what unfolds when responsible Clover moves in as housekeep for the local witch. Clover never dreamed a simple housekeeping job would be so exciting and full of adventure.

Clover Twig, an ordinary girl, is housekeeper to a witch in her town. She is eager for this job because she is used to share a room with all her siblings, and never had any money to spare. But life gets turned upside down when the witch's evil twin, Mezmerda, tries to take over the magical cottage. Will clumsy Wilf and ordinary Clover be able to save the flying cottage? ( )

Clover's family could use some extra money, but that's not the reason she takes a job cleaning a witch's house; mostly she's eager to have her own bedroom and take responsibility for getting the magical cottage ship-shape. All goes well until the witch's evil sister appears, sending Clover and the clumsy but endearing Wilf on an adventure that involves a flying house, a dungeon, and the craziest set of characters you could ever hope NOT to meet!