Spells & sleeping bags /

Although it can stand alone, Mlynowski's third story featuring the Weinstein sisters will be eagerly grabbed by fans of Bras & Broomsticks (2005) and Frogs & French Kisses (2006). Likable Rachel, who has joined her sister and their mother as a witch,  explores her new powers during summer camp, where she tries to engineer a kiss with her longtime crush while avoiding the nasty attentions of spoiled Liana. Of course, Rachel has not yet mastered her magical skills, which leads to plenty of entertaining mishaps.--Carton, Debbie Copyright 2007 Booklist

The most recent addition to Sarah Mlynowski's Bras and Broomsticks trilogy, Spells & Sleeping Bags, finally finds Miri's older sister Rachel coming into her own powers. Spending the summer at Camp Wood Lake, Rachel must fend off mosquitoes and hostile bunkmates, all while trying to act cool for her camp crush. (Delacorte, $19.99 324p ages 12-up ISBN 9780-385-73387-8; June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Gr 6-9-In the third book (Delacorte, 2007) in Sarah Mlynowski's "Magic in Manhattan" series, sisters (and witches) Rachel and Miri are attending Camp Wood Lake for the summer. Rachel's long-time crush, Raf, is also at camp, and she hopes she will be able to help correct the mess she previously created with a spell gone awry that had Raf's brother falling for her instead. While things start smoothly, with Rachel and Raf growing closer and Rachel making friends, each day brings bizarre occurrences, like her step-mother sending intimate hygiene products and swarms of bees attacking just as she and Raf are about to kiss. Rachel is also having some serious issues with Liana, who turns out to be her long-lost cousin. Ariadne Meyers's narration is spot-on, giving each character a unique personality. Rachel's transition from a hopeful girl to a desperate witch whose skills don't quite match her rival's is perfectly presented. Swiftly paced and convincingly narrated with doses of humor and familial poignancy, listeners will be thoroughly engaged as the summer comes to a surprising end. This fun listen that will leave fans wanting more of Rachel.-Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Fairport Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In this third frothy offering about witch sisters Rachel and Miri, the girls go to camp, where Rachel engages in a series of painfully embarrassing antics and wins over the boy of her dreams. Along the way, Rachel realizes that her nemesis, Liana, is actually her long-lost cousin. The book's last-minute plot twists and too-quick resolutions feel forced and contrived. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.