The Wish Giver: Three Tales of Coven Tree

"In this account of sinister doings in Coven Tree, Stew Meat (of Devil's Donkey) relates thead a wish fulfilled, and each of whom rued that fulfillment. (A) literary folk story at its best".--School Library Journal. Newbery Honor Book; ALA Notable Children's Book.The people of Coven Tree are no strangers to magic. In fact, the town's very name comes from a gnarled old tree where covens of witches used to gather. Even now, imps and fiends continue to appear, frightening the townfolk with their more >>

"In this account of sinister doings in Coven Tree, Stew Meat (of Devil's Donkey) relates thead a wish fulfilled, and each of whom rued that fulfillment. (A) literary folk story at its best".--School Library Journal. Newbery Honor Book; ALA Notable Children's Book.The people of Coven Tree are no strangers to magic. In fact, the town's very name comes from a gnarled old tree where covens of witches used to gather. Even now, imps and fiends continue to appear, frightening the townfolk with their devilish pranks. Usually these creatures are easy to spot. They have a particular smell, or sound, or way of moving, that betrays their dark nature. But Thaddeus Blinn showed none of these signs when he came to Coven Tree. He was just a funny little man who drifted into town with a strange tale about being able to give people whatever they wished - for only fifty cents. There was nothing scary about him. At least, not until the wishing began..."In this account of sinister doings in Coven Tree, Stew Meat [of Devil's Donkey] relates the King Midas luck that came to three young people, each of whom had a wish fulfilled, and each of whom rued that fulfillment. [A] literary folk story at its best'folksy, fascinating and fun." -- "SLJ.""An eerie delight."-- "NYT.""This delightfully spooky tale should send shivers up and down the love-to-be-scared circuit.And with good reason. When 14-year-old Dan'lPitt's hard-boiled Yankee skepticism runsheadlong into some of New England's eerie, inexplicable superstitions, who could predicthe'd be transformed into a donkey by a vengefulwitch?" -- The New York Times"The fast-paced events conclude suspensefully in a rope-pulling contest that has Dan'l struggling for his very soul. Brittain seasons his tale with generous amounts of tension, merriment, and magic." (Starred Review) -- ALA Booklist"The plot unfolds in short, suspensefulchapters ... the brisk pace of the action makesthis a pleasing addition to American folklore, and the nine excellent illustrations are shadowy, misty, spooky, yet full of humor." (Starred Review)-- School Library Journal"A highly original fantasy The wonder and humor of the story are finely evoked by animated charcoal drawings conveying atmosphere and a sense of mystery"-- The Horn Book"A good old-fashioned tale of witchcraft andtransformation."-- The Kirkus Reviews << less