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The Witches of Benevento #6
The Secret Janara
The exciting adventures of the Benevento cousins continue, as Primo discovers the identity of the secret Janara.
Primo has been given a tantalizing clue about the secret the Janara lives with him! How can he discover who it is? Only that success will console him for his humiliating defeat at the boar hunt, where Rosa was the winner. Rosa!! Girls are not even supposed to compete.
One night Primo finds a clue. Behind the head of the goddess Diana, the ancient statue in his kitchen, he discovers a bottle of the oil that a Janara needs to transform him or herself before flying off for a night of mischiefs. If he can stay awake one night, surely the Janara will be revealed. But what will he do with the knowledge?
The Benevento children continue to encounter and outwit witches in the sixth and most suspenseful adventure yet of the Witches of Benevento series.
Primo has been given a tantalizing clue about the secret the Janara lives with him! How can he discover who it is? Only that success will console him for his humiliating defeat at the boar hunt, where Rosa was the winner. Rosa!! Girls are not even supposed to compete.
One night Primo finds a clue. Behind the head of the goddess Diana, the ancient statue in his kitchen, he discovers a bottle of the oil that a Janara needs to transform him or herself before flying off for a night of mischiefs. If he can stay awake one night, surely the Janara will be revealed. But what will he do with the knowledge?
The Benevento children continue to encounter and outwit witches in the sixth and most suspenseful adventure yet of the Witches of Benevento series.
144 pages, Hardcover
Published May 28, 2019
19 people want to read
About the author
John Bemelmans Marciano
32 books39 followersJohn Bemelmans Marciano carries on the legacy begun by his grandfather, Ludwig Bemelmans, author and illustrator of the Madeline books, with stunning watercolor artwork and playful, energetic storytelling.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 21, 2022
Feb 2022
We really liked this whole series, a lot. I don’t think we fully understood what was happening with the first book (the way the story will double-back on itself before progressing). I’d almost want to own the set.
We really liked this whole series, a lot. I don’t think we fully understood what was happening with the first book (the way the story will double-back on itself before progressing). I’d almost want to own the set.
September 12, 2019
Primo is not happy. The twins' mother is having a baby and now they can't enact their plans to get revenge on the Crone who refuse to pay Primo's family farmstand. Then Rosa gets bragging rights and Primo is humiliated. How can he regain his status with his cousins? Discovering a secret will help! Primo uncovers evidence that the Janara lives in his house! Who is it? He's determined to find out. When he discovers the Janara's identity he is excited to share but the Janara is angry with him. If he speaks up he might get turned into a frog! An exciting adventure to show his cousins the real Janara is the only way to prove he is right.
The first Primo book was my least favorite of the series up until this one. Out of all the children, Primo is the worst. He exemplifies masculine values I abhor. Primo is egotistical, selfish and loves to brag. I see some possible character growth at the end but so far he hasn't changed. His parents are stereotypes too. His father is lazy and his mother is mean. Isidora, Primo's sister, is a typical moody teenage girl. The other kids aren't in the story as much. Rosa remains a strong female character and Maria Beppina sweet and innocent.
It took a bit to readjust to the present tense writing style and overlapping narrative. There isn't much plot until the very end when it gets rather scary for young readers. I almost missed the plot twist at the end. I went back and realized I had accidentally skipped a page! The plot twist isn't exactly a surprise because the reader is in on the secret, or thinks they are. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, however, and see where this is going.
The illustrations, as always, are charming. I really love the village setting and imagining my little grandmother running around her village nearby 100 years later. I like the inclusion of speech bubbles and the little pops of color that make the black and white drawings more appealing for children.
The first Primo book was my least favorite of the series up until this one. Out of all the children, Primo is the worst. He exemplifies masculine values I abhor. Primo is egotistical, selfish and loves to brag. I see some possible character growth at the end but so far he hasn't changed. His parents are stereotypes too. His father is lazy and his mother is mean. Isidora, Primo's sister, is a typical moody teenage girl. The other kids aren't in the story as much. Rosa remains a strong female character and Maria Beppina sweet and innocent.
It took a bit to readjust to the present tense writing style and overlapping narrative. There isn't much plot until the very end when it gets rather scary for young readers. I almost missed the plot twist at the end. I went back and realized I had accidentally skipped a page! The plot twist isn't exactly a surprise because the reader is in on the secret, or thinks they are. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, however, and see where this is going.
The illustrations, as always, are charming. I really love the village setting and imagining my little grandmother running around her village nearby 100 years later. I like the inclusion of speech bubbles and the little pops of color that make the black and white drawings more appealing for children.
April 21, 2020
I was surprised by the big reveal! This one got a little scary. We are waiting eagerly for the next book to find out what the f is going on with Sergio.
February 14, 2025
this is the last book and it doesn't look like there will be more. and there are lots of open threads that are frustrating for me as an adult, and must drive kids nuts
September 9, 2024
Primo is a boy who dreams of achieving great things, but the only thing in his way is the person he sees in the mirror! Nothing goes his way. His best laid plans are screwy, but he doesn't understand that he is his own worst luck. Primo sets his sights on winning the Golden Tusk of the Calydonian Boar at the Festival of the Triggio by roping the wild boar, the symbol of Benevento, Primo's hometown in Italy where the hunt by Jason and Theseus from ancient Greek mythology is reenacted every year. With success within his grasp, Primo screws it up and loses—to a girl! Primo stumbles upon what he believes to be powerful witch oil. Can Primo change his luck?
Primo loses despite his magic ring and magic words to protect himself from the Manalonga, an evil, bad luck janara. To add insult to injury, when Rosa wins, Primo's poppa cheers for her and admits he bet money on Rosa as the winner, knowing Primo is not half as strong or half as fast as Rosa. But now, Primo's luck might change. An opportunity presents itself. He finds a jar of witch (janara) oil hidden behind the statue of Diana. Primo now realizes one of his family members is a janara and hatches a plan to expose the witch's identity. Can Primo get out of his own way and make this work?
This is a simple, good-natured family tale. Primo's poppa and his uncle argue amicably, his uncle a stickler for historical facts, his father prone to dramatic exaggerations miles from the truth. Primo and his older sister Isadora argue and prank each other. The cousins all prank then run away from the old lady crones. And, of course, they all prank one another. Could one of them be the secret janara? Maybe Poppa? Momma? It couldn't be his sister—she's too stupid!
This book is #6 in The Witches of Benevento series. Easy reading. Not too many pages. Silly fun, not complicated in the least.
Please let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear from you. You can email me at elainewrites@earthlink.net.
I wish you all a life inspired by the wonder of the world around us. May you find and live your truth, in harmony with people, nature and the environment. May you be a force for good and a source of love and comfort. May the world be a better place for you having lived and loved here.
All rights reserved 2024
Primo loses despite his magic ring and magic words to protect himself from the Manalonga, an evil, bad luck janara. To add insult to injury, when Rosa wins, Primo's poppa cheers for her and admits he bet money on Rosa as the winner, knowing Primo is not half as strong or half as fast as Rosa. But now, Primo's luck might change. An opportunity presents itself. He finds a jar of witch (janara) oil hidden behind the statue of Diana. Primo now realizes one of his family members is a janara and hatches a plan to expose the witch's identity. Can Primo get out of his own way and make this work?
This is a simple, good-natured family tale. Primo's poppa and his uncle argue amicably, his uncle a stickler for historical facts, his father prone to dramatic exaggerations miles from the truth. Primo and his older sister Isadora argue and prank each other. The cousins all prank then run away from the old lady crones. And, of course, they all prank one another. Could one of them be the secret janara? Maybe Poppa? Momma? It couldn't be his sister—she's too stupid!
This book is #6 in The Witches of Benevento series. Easy reading. Not too many pages. Silly fun, not complicated in the least.
Please let me know your thoughts. I'd love to hear from you. You can email me at elainewrites@earthlink.net.
I wish you all a life inspired by the wonder of the world around us. May you find and live your truth, in harmony with people, nature and the environment. May you be a force for good and a source of love and comfort. May the world be a better place for you having lived and loved here.
All rights reserved 2024
January 18, 2022
"Never underestimate a girl."
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews