The fourth book in an exciting new chapter book series by
John Bemelmans Marciano and
Caldecott medalist Sophie Blackall.
Welcome to Benevento, an ancient town famous for its witches!The children of Benevento have to be careful and clever to evade the clutches of such witches as the Manalonga, the Janara, and the Clopper, who hide in wells and under bridges, fly at midnight, and play tricks during Mischief Season.
Five cousins – Primo, Emilio, Rosa, Maria Beppina, and Sergio – share adventures and narrow escapes, and discover astonishing secrets as they outwit the witches in each exciting story.
Book #4
Respect Your Ghosts: a Sergio Story
It’s Sergio’s job to take care of Bis Bis, the ancestor spirit who lives upstairs. Unfortunately, it’s hard to satisfy all the ghost’s demands and still keep Sergio’s mother happy.
On sale: April 25, 2017
Age: 7-10 years
Grade: Grades 2-5
Page count: 144 Pages
ISBN: 9780698175464
Reading level: Lexile: 620L
Writer and artist
John Bemelmans Marciano is the grandson of Ludwig Bemelmans. John has continued his grandfather’s legacy of the Madeline books with
Madeline and the Old House in Paris,
Madeline at the White House, and
Madeline and the Cats of Rome. He is the author of
Bemelmans: The Life and Art of Madeline’s Creator, and of
The Nine Lives of Alexander Baddenfield, illustrated by Sophie Blackall. John lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Andromache, and their daughter, Galatea.
Sophie Blackall has illustrated more than thirty books, including
Finding Winnie, for which she won the Caldecott medal, and the
New York Times Best Illustrated books
Big Red Lollipop and
The Baby Tree, which she also wrote. Born in Australia, Sophie lives in Brooklyn with her children Olive and Edward.
John and Sophie share studio space in Brooklyn, which makes it easy for them to collaborate.
"Winningly blends broad comedy with eerie encounters . . . A droll picture of life yesteryear in a—seemingly—ordinary Italian town" —
Kirkus Reviews
"Blackall’s distinctive drawings are sweet and expressive" —
School Library Journal
Praise for The Witches of Benevento series:“Blackall’s delicate, lovely artwork is bewitching and Marciano’s text is, as the title implies, loaded with molto mischief. I can't wait to read what the Janara have in store for the Benevento kids next.” —
Lane Smith, author of
Return to Augie Hobble
“Not your run-of-the-mill chapter book. What we have here is a fresh, charming tale about an Italian village afflicted with witches and the brave, quarrelsome band of friends who try to make their acquaintance. A frisky, ingenious introduction to an old world and a new series.” —
Annie Barrows, author of the Ivy and Bean series
“There is a mystery in Benevento—a mystery of witches and spirits and magic. Will you go back in time to this charming town and solve the mystery? And if you do, will you tell me what the solution is? Really! Please tell me! But watch out for the spirits. They are mischievous indeed...
The Witches is a charming, intelligent tale, illustrated beautifully and evocatively. —
Adam Gidwitz, author of
A Tale Dark and Grimm
