<p>Salem Hyde just isn't like other kids. For one thing, she's stubborn, independent, and impulsive. For another, she's a witch. Salem acts first and thinks later&#8212;which means most of her thinking involves coming up with excuses!<p>Good thing she's been assigned an animal companion, Lord Percival J. Whamsford III. This over-anxious cat doesn't like Salem calling him &#147;Whammy," and Salem doesn't like listening to his long-winded explanations as to why she shouldn't do something . . . like enter the class spelling bee.<p>Salem knows she can beat all her classmates at spells, no problem. Too late, she realizes the competition is about spelling <i>words</i>, not magic. And there's nothing like a misspelled spell to cause all kinds of havoc!<p><b>Praise for <i>The Misadventures of Salem Hyde: Book One</i><p>STARRED REVIEWS</b><p>"A fledgling witch receives necessary guidance from a talking cat in this utterly adorable page-turner... A delightful buddy story and an auspicious series opener; be sure to make room on shelves for Salem and Whammy."<p>&#8212;<i>Kirkus Reviews</i>, starred review<p>"It's just about the perfect story for comics-loving fathers to read with their comics-loving daughters."<p>&#8212;<i>Publishers Weekly</i>, starred review<p>"Cammuso evokes both the sarcastic spunk and gentle warmth of <i>Calvin and Hobbes </i>in this humorous tale of unlikely pals."<p>&#8212;<i>The Bulletin of The Center for Children's Books<p>"</i>Young readers will eat up Cammuso's (<i>Otto's Orange Day</i>, 2008) action-packed panels, full of cartoonish antics, silly puns, and playful slapstick humor."<p>&#8212;<i>Booklist</i><p>"The humor, appealing artwork, and underlying message of friendship will attract readers."<p>&#8212;<i>Library Media Connection</i>