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Salem Witch #1
The Salem Witch Tryouts
Prudence Stewart had it all at Beverly Hills straight A's, the cutest crush, and a sweet gig as captain of the cheerleading squad. Then poof! Mom and Dad announce they're moving to Salem, Massachusetts. Turns out, Pru comes from a long line of witches and it's time for her to learn the craft. Buh-bye, Beverly Hills High -- hello, Agatha's Day School!
But Pru's not about to trade in her spirit stick for a broomstick! She's sure she can keep her kewl at her new school -- until she discovers it's all magic, all the time, and she's failing Witchcraft 101. Worst of all, even the cheerleaders bring a special "spirit" to their routine. As in, triple-back-somersault-with-a-twist kind of spirit.
It's time for Pru to cast a spell and prove she's just as enchanting as the next girl -- and somehow make cheering tryouts a flying S-U-C-C-E-S-S!
But Pru's not about to trade in her spirit stick for a broomstick! She's sure she can keep her kewl at her new school -- until she discovers it's all magic, all the time, and she's failing Witchcraft 101. Worst of all, even the cheerleaders bring a special "spirit" to their routine. As in, triple-back-somersault-with-a-twist kind of spirit.
It's time for Pru to cast a spell and prove she's just as enchanting as the next girl -- and somehow make cheering tryouts a flying S-U-C-C-E-S-S!
272 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2006
13 people are currently reading
1370 people want to read
About the author
Kelly McClymer
53 books202 followersUSA Today bestselling author Kelly McClymer writes fairytale-inspired romances set in Victorian England (although a few characters escape to the United States), fairytale fantasy, and mom-inspired mystery.
Kelly shares her characters’ family values: she grew up with three younger sisters and has successfully raised three children of her own. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.
Kelly’s first published writing was for her high school newspaper and she’s been writing fiction in many forms ever since. While she explores many genres including historical romance, mystery, young adult, and fantasy, her stories share common themes: developing inner strength, the power of love in all it’s forms, triumph of good over evil, and the strength of family connection.
Kelly shares her characters’ family values: she grew up with three younger sisters and has successfully raised three children of her own. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.
Kelly’s first published writing was for her high school newspaper and she’s been writing fiction in many forms ever since. While she explores many genres including historical romance, mystery, young adult, and fantasy, her stories share common themes: developing inner strength, the power of love in all it’s forms, triumph of good over evil, and the strength of family connection.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
December 23, 2016
Dumb-cute, in an entirely acceptable sense. Prudence has the sort of witchy powers that most people would love to have—very little is off-limits. She can undo stains with the wave of a hand, teleport, stop time, levitate...or at least she can do all of this in theory. In practice, Prudence's parents (witchy mother, mortal father) have raised her in the very mortal world of Beverly Hills, and moving to Salem, MA, is a huge leap out of her comfort zone. In California, Prudence was expected to hide her powers, but in Massachusetts, she's expected to flaunt them...and she's behind. Way behind.
It's pretty damn fluffy, but...well, it's meant to be fluffy. There's some minimal boy drama, a chunk of girl drama, not really enough characterisation for the side characters... I'd have loved to go deeper into the witch end of things (how far do her powers extend?), but at any rate it was acceptably entertaining.
It's pretty damn fluffy, but...well, it's meant to be fluffy. There's some minimal boy drama, a chunk of girl drama, not really enough characterisation for the side characters... I'd have loved to go deeper into the witch end of things (how far do her powers extend?), but at any rate it was acceptably entertaining.
April 16, 2019
People say this story is vapid and silly, as insubstantial as a mouthful of cotton candy. Well, just like cotton candy, I can't deny that it has its own sweet appeal. I found this book to be weirdly addictive and comforting. I come back to this story even as an adult as a sort of comforting escape from daily life when it gets too tough. There's something really comforting reading about Prudence's small and funny problems in a world that still thinks flip phones are cool. Its nostalgia in the best way, enhanced by some cool witchcraft. Pick up this book if you just need some mindless and fun reading to get you through a nasty bout of flu.
June 2, 2019
Really enjoyable little light read. Witches and Cheerleaders nice.
A young witch who has not been witching and has been living mortal gets flung into working and learning her witch craft talent. This is a series book no conclusion to the story but I enjoyed it enough to read the next one.
A young witch who has not been witching and has been living mortal gets flung into working and learning her witch craft talent. This is a series book no conclusion to the story but I enjoyed it enough to read the next one.
January 24, 2018
It was cute, a fun magic system, and I read it pretty fast.
March 2, 2023
This was cute, not life changing but good for a late middle school / early high school audience interested in modern fantasy.
January 18, 2009
Another recommendation from my 10 year old daughter. And this one was really fun...yes written for teens but very fun. I used to LOVE the show Bewitched and there was just the tiniest bit of reminder while I was reading this for some reason. Really enjoyed this quick read and I will definitely be reading the second book.
Read
January 31, 2010What I noticed in this book is that the
girl at first hates that she has to move.
and in the end she wants to stay and I think that it shows feelings and emotions change.I think it is a great book if you like reading about witches.
girl at first hates that she has to move.
and in the end she wants to stay and I think that it shows feelings and emotions change.I think it is a great book if you like reading about witches.
April 5, 2022
A quick fun children/ya read between my other books. Pru was a fun and annoying character all bundled into one but my heart couldn't help but go out to her. I can only imagine thinking you had it all....a cute guy, about to be head cheerleader, great grades and then having it all snatched away in mere seconds and having to start all anew at a new school where it seemed most folks hated you even the teachers simply because you're only "half" a witch and have no idea how to use your powers because you were raised in a mortal household.
April 14, 2023
This book was like a weird time capsule of the early-mid 2000s. Where "kewls" are aplenty and camera phones are the hip, new thing. All in all, The Salem Witch Tryouts had cringey moments where the MC, Prudence, came off completely vapid but it was silly and fun too. It was nice to feel like I was reading something from my childhood again.
October 13, 2022
a childhood favorite of mine. the lingo is very dated but still very enjoyable!
May 4, 2024
This story is about a girl who moves from one school to another and basically she wants to try out for the cheerleading team and she try to uses her magic to help her be great at tryouts. This is a cute book for middle schoolers who's looking for something fun to read.
October 18, 2025
This book was pretty outdated as it was written nearly 20 years ago. It was a light and fluffy distraction read.
April 12, 2020
I do love a good young adult witch book, although it was a little hard to get into I stuck through it and was interested in more of Pru’s adventures
November 17, 2012
Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com
For Prudence Stewart, sixteen, leaving behind her home and school in Beverly Hills to move to Salem, Massachusetts, is more than just an inconvenience. She's worked for years to get where she is--which is near the top of the Beverly Hills High School popularity list. Right before she was to be named the youngest head cheerleader ever, her parents announced the move to Salem. It seems that Pru's younger brother, Dorklock (or, if you prefer, Tobias), needs to attend school in Salem, where he can get a handle on his powers. Yes, powers. Oh, did I forget to mention that Pru and Dorklock are the half-mortal, half-witch children of their four-hundred-year-old mother, Patience?
Yes, Patience Stewart is a witch. And although her husband is a mortal and still freaks at the thought of magic, he's realized that his children need to be in a place where they can attend schools that are specifically designed for witches. So off the family drives to Salem (much to Pru's disbelief; after all, her mom zapped their furniture to their new home, but they have to drive?), where Pru quickly realizes that her former popularity and academic excellence don't mean much at Agatha's Day School for Witches.
It's bad enough that for her sixteen years back in Beverly Hills her mother had discouraged her from using magic. Now she's changed her tune--use magic for this, practice your magic on that. But Pru is woefully lacking in the magic department. She's been put in remedial classes (remedial? the horror!), the students at Agatha's stare at her as if she's some type of mutant freak, she still hasn't manifested a Talent, and she has to actually try out for the cheerleading squad. Try out. Her, Miss Was-Going-To-Be-The-Youngest-Head-Cheerleader-In-History. Yes, Salem is turning out to be a real pain.
I loved THE SALEM WITCH TRYOUTS! A truly original twist on being the new kid in a brand new school, it's fun and interesting to watch Prudence develop her powers, interact with students who think mortals are a new type of abnormality, and learn what it means to be a cheerleader on a squad that uses magic in their routines. I really hope there are more books planned in this series--and if the pimple-inducing spell at the end of the book is any indication, there will be!
For Prudence Stewart, sixteen, leaving behind her home and school in Beverly Hills to move to Salem, Massachusetts, is more than just an inconvenience. She's worked for years to get where she is--which is near the top of the Beverly Hills High School popularity list. Right before she was to be named the youngest head cheerleader ever, her parents announced the move to Salem. It seems that Pru's younger brother, Dorklock (or, if you prefer, Tobias), needs to attend school in Salem, where he can get a handle on his powers. Yes, powers. Oh, did I forget to mention that Pru and Dorklock are the half-mortal, half-witch children of their four-hundred-year-old mother, Patience?
Yes, Patience Stewart is a witch. And although her husband is a mortal and still freaks at the thought of magic, he's realized that his children need to be in a place where they can attend schools that are specifically designed for witches. So off the family drives to Salem (much to Pru's disbelief; after all, her mom zapped their furniture to their new home, but they have to drive?), where Pru quickly realizes that her former popularity and academic excellence don't mean much at Agatha's Day School for Witches.
It's bad enough that for her sixteen years back in Beverly Hills her mother had discouraged her from using magic. Now she's changed her tune--use magic for this, practice your magic on that. But Pru is woefully lacking in the magic department. She's been put in remedial classes (remedial? the horror!), the students at Agatha's stare at her as if she's some type of mutant freak, she still hasn't manifested a Talent, and she has to actually try out for the cheerleading squad. Try out. Her, Miss Was-Going-To-Be-The-Youngest-Head-Cheerleader-In-History. Yes, Salem is turning out to be a real pain.
I loved THE SALEM WITCH TRYOUTS! A truly original twist on being the new kid in a brand new school, it's fun and interesting to watch Prudence develop her powers, interact with students who think mortals are a new type of abnormality, and learn what it means to be a cheerleader on a squad that uses magic in their routines. I really hope there are more books planned in this series--and if the pimple-inducing spell at the end of the book is any indication, there will be!
June 2, 2009
No Matter How You Spell It
At Beverly Hills High, Prudence Stewart was a shoe-in for head cheerleader. She had the perfect grades and the perfect guy to drool over... until her mom and dad decided it was time for Pru and her brother to start learning to use the magic they've been denied for years. Which means not just leaving behind sunny California for dull Massachusetts but leaving behind the only lifestyle they've really known. While her little brother might be totally okay with the change, Pru is anything but happy!
If there's one thing that can save Pru from loserville at her new school it's joining the cheerleading squad. If only the girls at Agatha's Day School didn't do their routines in the air. Hopefully with a little tutoring and a lot of practice Pru can catch up in her magic studies and master the fine art of cheering with a witch squad. Maybe, just maybe if she does she'll get her cool factor back and fit in with her peers just magically.
If you're looking for something with a little more humor and a lot less angst, The Salem Witch Tryouts is a good place to start. The whole Beverly Hills cheerleader thing has been done in urban fantasy before but doesn't lose any of it's charm with this one. Pru isn't the snotty cheerleader one might expect though she does have some snobby moments and certainly thinks very highly of herself. Going from being Miss Popular to remedial magic student would certainly be tough on any young woman but she handles it with a decent dose of positivity and determination.
Overall this was definitely on the lighter side of urban fantasy but I personally love witch stories and thought this one was really cute and funny. The world of magic that McClymer has set up for this series is fairly unique and Agatha's Day School is definitely not Hogwarts but could appeal to that same audience if they were looking for an Americanized witch school. I really had a good time reading this book because of the lighter tone and my only real beef was the text-speak conversations tossed in between Pru and her friend back in Beverly Hills.
At Beverly Hills High, Prudence Stewart was a shoe-in for head cheerleader. She had the perfect grades and the perfect guy to drool over... until her mom and dad decided it was time for Pru and her brother to start learning to use the magic they've been denied for years. Which means not just leaving behind sunny California for dull Massachusetts but leaving behind the only lifestyle they've really known. While her little brother might be totally okay with the change, Pru is anything but happy!
If there's one thing that can save Pru from loserville at her new school it's joining the cheerleading squad. If only the girls at Agatha's Day School didn't do their routines in the air. Hopefully with a little tutoring and a lot of practice Pru can catch up in her magic studies and master the fine art of cheering with a witch squad. Maybe, just maybe if she does she'll get her cool factor back and fit in with her peers just magically.
If you're looking for something with a little more humor and a lot less angst, The Salem Witch Tryouts is a good place to start. The whole Beverly Hills cheerleader thing has been done in urban fantasy before but doesn't lose any of it's charm with this one. Pru isn't the snotty cheerleader one might expect though she does have some snobby moments and certainly thinks very highly of herself. Going from being Miss Popular to remedial magic student would certainly be tough on any young woman but she handles it with a decent dose of positivity and determination.
Overall this was definitely on the lighter side of urban fantasy but I personally love witch stories and thought this one was really cute and funny. The world of magic that McClymer has set up for this series is fairly unique and Agatha's Day School is definitely not Hogwarts but could appeal to that same audience if they were looking for an Americanized witch school. I really had a good time reading this book because of the lighter tone and my only real beef was the text-speak conversations tossed in between Pru and her friend back in Beverly Hills.
November 6, 2015
More like, 1.5
Not a bad book, but it is very juvenile. And Prudence is just a spoiled brat. Also very shallow. Although, to be honest, I prefer a shallow brat over a Mary Sue. But she complains a lot, and although she is not an orphan (thankfully), her mother is pretty useless. Yes, her mother is a good witch, etc, but how come couldn't she at least advice her daughter before inscribing her in a witch school at 16? When all her life, Prudence had to behave like a normal teen? And then, bam! you are going to Agatha School for witches although you are ignorant in everything there is to know. Yee, thanks Mom. At least you could have given me the family spell book, tell me what a Talent is, etc.
I disliked all he hot boys and her bff. Oh, and her MSM with her bff. Is that the way teenagers write nowadays? WOW, they need to learn how to use comas and grammar. And what about that awful word "kewl"? Kewl this, kewl that. It was a little too much.
I may have liked it if I was 10 years younger. So yeah, I recommend this to people younger than 20.
Not a bad book, but it is very juvenile. And Prudence is just a spoiled brat. Also very shallow. Although, to be honest, I prefer a shallow brat over a Mary Sue. But she complains a lot, and although she is not an orphan (thankfully), her mother is pretty useless. Yes, her mother is a good witch, etc, but how come couldn't she at least advice her daughter before inscribing her in a witch school at 16? When all her life, Prudence had to behave like a normal teen? And then, bam! you are going to Agatha School for witches although you are ignorant in everything there is to know. Yee, thanks Mom. At least you could have given me the family spell book, tell me what a Talent is, etc.
I disliked all he hot boys and her bff. Oh, and her MSM with her bff. Is that the way teenagers write nowadays? WOW, they need to learn how to use comas and grammar. And what about that awful word "kewl"? Kewl this, kewl that. It was a little too much.
I may have liked it if I was 10 years younger. So yeah, I recommend this to people younger than 20.
April 12, 2010
Pru has to leave her Beverly Hills High School and the head cheerleader spot at her school because her brother hit puberty and his magic has gone awry. Yep, magic, as in witches. To prevent said brother from creating some disaster, the family decides to relocate to Salem and put both kids in Witch School so they can develop their magic. So suddenly Pru leaves a world where she had to hide the little bit of magic she knew to a place where she is, dare we say it, remedial. Forget being head cheerleader, she will be lucky if she can even make the squad where flying involves actual ...flying.
This is a fun, magical book. I mean Sabrina the Teenage Witch Magical. I found Pru to be a likable character. She is determined to become popular but she is willing to work for it. She knows how to work people, but she gives as much as she gets. It is sheer fluff, but please, who would not like to be able to de-frizz their hair with a thought. I will be reading the next in the series.
This is a fun, magical book. I mean Sabrina the Teenage Witch Magical. I found Pru to be a likable character. She is determined to become popular but she is willing to work for it. She knows how to work people, but she gives as much as she gets. It is sheer fluff, but please, who would not like to be able to de-frizz their hair with a thought. I will be reading the next in the series.
February 23, 2013
Prudence had the life she always wanted in Beverly Hills. She was 16, popular and the head cheerleader of her school. Her mother was a witch and her father was mortal and her little brother was a warlock unable to hide or control his powers any longer so they packed up and moved to Salem Massachusetts. St. Agatha's school for withes was their final destination. Pru was in remedial classes cause she was never allowed to practice magic, she could not even conjure herself a lunch. With the help of Samuel she learned more spells and ended up on the cheer squad. He helped her with a binding spell to make Tara the head cheerleader her friend so they can get along and win nationals. At the end of the book a family that was vacationing came to introduce themselves and drop off a casserole. Their son was Pru's age and totally hot, in fact she wanted to stay in Salem and give this witch school a shot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2007
Prudence is a straight A student, captain of the cheerleading team, and "was" the girlfriend of the cutest guy at Beverly Hills HIgh. But one day her mom tells her that she's a witch and that she is moving to where she grew up. Prudence's mom is trying her best to get the good out of moving(with the indoor pool, letting her choose her room, and more). There was one time where she told her best friend that she was a witch and her mom had to brainwash her mind. Prudence grew up not being able to use magic. Now she must use magic all day and all the time. Prudence is having trouble passing her new school and casts a spell to show the new girls what she's all about making cheerleading tryouts a total success.
June 4, 2009
Prudence is a Beverly Hills teenager with very good grades, good looks, nice clothes, plenty of friends and the position of head cheerleader on their award-winning squad. She has parents that loves her and a life every girl would want. But that life soon changes. Pru's mom is a graduate of Agatha's Day School for Witches, located in Salem, Massachusetts. She thinks her son and daughter need to be trained in the art of witchcraft before all goes awry, so she sends them to witch school. In Salem, Pru has major problems dealing with a new school and all the new rules. She has problems with controlling her witch powers and has trouble making friends. Eventually, things begin to clear up and soon she finds herself making new friends and back on the cheerleading aquad.
February 2, 2011
This book was really pretty stupid. I read the whole thing hoping it would get better, but it never did. Pru was a really annoying character, and I could care less about her. Probably the most irritating thing in this book was that every chapter began with "text-speak" between her and her old best friend. Maybe I'm just too old, but my brain does not easily decipher text-speak, and frankly I don't even understand why it's so popular. It takes MORE effort to spell things in weird, abbreviated sentences.
I guess this is a series, but I really don't give a crap what happens in the other books.
I guess this is a series, but I really don't give a crap what happens in the other books.
January 15, 2013
This is a frothy little teen fiction book, that is nevertheless enjoyable.
Prudence, who majored in teen politics and cheerleading in 90210 is forced to move to Salem, Ma because it is a safe place for her brother who can't seem to hide the magic that runs in their family of witches.
Cast out of her role as Beverly Hills Head Cheerleader, she quickly discovers that 16 years of being prohibited to use magic places her in the bottom of her class when it comes to using magic and even witch-style cheerleading. In the Salem Witch Tryouts, Prudence begins her social and academic climb up the high school ladder, starting near the the bottom rung.
Prudence, who majored in teen politics and cheerleading in 90210 is forced to move to Salem, Ma because it is a safe place for her brother who can't seem to hide the magic that runs in their family of witches.
Cast out of her role as Beverly Hills Head Cheerleader, she quickly discovers that 16 years of being prohibited to use magic places her in the bottom of her class when it comes to using magic and even witch-style cheerleading. In the Salem Witch Tryouts, Prudence begins her social and academic climb up the high school ladder, starting near the the bottom rung.
January 3, 2010
This book is pretty good and I cant wait to read the next one. I gave it four stars because it is very slow in the beginning. Then it gets better and slow again. I love Samuel if only he would take off his glasses! That would be so much better and then maybe he could get Prudence to actually like him! Maybe they will get together in the other books. But I do hope that Pru gets a love interest, to spice things up. Someone who is not Daniel because I doubt he's going to be in any of the other books since he got expelled.
October 9, 2020
2020 review: It was fun and fluffy, but I couldn't help but think how annoying it was anytime the word "kewl" was used. I rolled my eyes because I couldn't help but think, we really say the real world could we? I just will always love books that involve magic and that aren't about saving the world, so I couldn't hate it even if I was annoyed about that one thing.
Original: I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was fun and fluffy and with the magic involved there was no way I wouldn't like it. Great for those who want a quick fluffy read with a side of magic.
Original: I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was fun and fluffy and with the magic involved there was no way I wouldn't like it. Great for those who want a quick fluffy read with a side of magic.
August 22, 2018
I DNF'ed this at page 130. It wasn't bad...it just wasn't really that interesting. I was bored, to be honest. I couldn't get into it, and I didn't really like Pru. She and her attitude irritated me.
EDIT
It's been a while since I read this, but looking back on it, I think it was just too young for me to read. I like the older end of YA, and I tend to like a little more darker, grittier stories. So if you like younger YA, or prefer something a little lighter, then this may be for you. The magic and witch concept was fun.
EDIT
It's been a while since I read this, but looking back on it, I think it was just too young for me to read. I like the older end of YA, and I tend to like a little more darker, grittier stories. So if you like younger YA, or prefer something a little lighter, then this may be for you. The magic and witch concept was fun.
June 17, 2012
I loved this series as a young teen and rereading is just as much fun now! It's a WAAAY more "realistic" version of a teen's magic school than any other I've read. Pru is a likeable (though sometimes whiney) girl who really does work hard to succeed and surrounds herself with interesting and (in most cases) likeable characters. This book sets the tone for rest of the series but takes place over a very short space of time so it feels odd when it ends.
January 28, 2015
It's probably unfair of me to give 3 stars to a book that was clearly not written for a middle aged audience. I really liked McClymer's Must Love Black and thought I would go ahead read this series about a teenaged girl who is uprooted from her "kewl" life in Beverly Hills as The It Girl, and moved to Salem, Mass to start training as a witch. I found myself getting really annoyed at the superficiality of this uprooted popular girl, but did enjoy the whole fish out of water theme.
February 4, 2008
The Salem Witch Tryouts by Kelly McClymer is a fantastic book that gives a great twist to normal stories about witches and wizards. Although the characters are made up the author did a wonderful job of making them come to life and jump right off of the page. The book is an amazing story and a fantastic way to spend a rainy day. -YSO
April 1, 2008
Pru is devasted when she learns that because her brother can't control his magic, they all have to move back to the Northeast and attend her mother's witch school. So she concocts a brilliant plan to become just as popular as she was at her old school by joining the cheerleading team here too, not realizing that her magic classes might be too much for her to keep up with.
October 28, 2013
This is one of those typical teen books. But in the end you still enjoy it. The book is decent paced it goes from fast to slow. The characters you meet in the book are all likable. One thing I wished for the book is a love triangle. Who doesn't love a typical teen read with a love triangle. Quick and oddball read. Definitely plan to pick up the second book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews