The Worst Witch Series by Jill Murphy (8 Books)

8-book series of The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy. Originally debuting in 1974, this beloved classic fantasy series predates Harry Potter and centers around a magical boarding school for young witches.

🧹 The Core Premise

The stories follow Mildred Hubble, a well-meaning but incredibly clumsy young girl attending Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches. Mildred has the absolute best intentions, but she is disaster-prone: her potions explode, she constantly crashes her broomstick, and her cat (a tabby named Star instead of the traditional black cat) is afraid of flying.

Mildred relies on her loyal best friends, Maud Spellbody and Enid Nightshade, to help her survive school life. Along the way, she must constantly endure the strict, terrifying potions teacher Miss Hardbroom, and outsmart her elitist, snobbish rival, Ethel Hallow. Despite her reputation as the “worst witch” in school, Mildred’s quick thinking routinely saves the entire academy from dark witches and disasters.

📚 Book-by-Book Breakdown

The books in the image cover all eight installments of Mildred’s chaotic school years:

Middle Row

• The Worst Witch (Book 1 – Purple): Introduces Mildred, her clumsy broom-flying skills, and her disaster with the school tabby cat. When Ethel Hallow turns her into a frog, Mildred accidentally uncovers a plot by Miss Cackle’s evil twin sister, Agatha, to take over the school.

• The Worst Witch Strikes Again (Book 2 – Yellow): Mildred is tasked with looking after a new student, Enid Nightshade. Enid turns out to be a mischievous prankster who gets Mildred into immense trouble, though the two ultimately become inseparable friends.

• All at Sea (Book 3 – Green): The academy goes on a seaside holiday. Forced to leave her beloved tabby cat behind, Mildred secretly smuggles him along in a boat, only to get caught up in a midnight cliffside mystery involving a legendary sea chest.

Bottom Row

• A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch (Book 4 – Orange): Mildred returns for her second year, determined to stay out of trouble. However, her bitter feud with Ethel peaks when she is cruelly turned into a frog and trapped in the lily pond.

• The Worst Witch Saves the Day (Book 5 – Light Blue): A sneaky new teacher arrives at the academy, and Ethel steals Mildred’s project and locks her cat away in a dark tower. Mildred must find a way to clear her name and protect the school.

• The Worst Witch to the Rescue (Book 6 – Dark Blue): Mildred’s clever research on turning animals back into humans is stolen by Ethel. Defying the rules to fix it, Mildred runs away into the dark forest and discovers a secret that can save Miss Hardbroom’s job.

Top Row

• The Worst Witch and the Wishing Star (Book 7 – Teal): In her fourth year, Mildred makes a wish on a shooting star that gives her a secret, magically talented stray dog. Her secret is threatened when the school hosts a massive talent competition.

• First Prize for the Worst Witch (Book 8 – Lime Green): The grand finale of the series. Mildred is unexpectedly in the running for the prestigious title of Head Girl. Ethel tries everything to sabotage her, leading to a frantic race against time during an adventurous summer camp trip.

✨ Key Themes & Appeal

• Relatability: Mildred isn’t a chosen savior or a prodigy; she is an underdog who struggles with schoolwork, anxiety, and peer pressure, making her deeply endearing to young readers.

• Friendship and Loyalty: The emotional core of the series relies heavily on Maud, Enid, and Mildred sticking together through thick and thin against unfair rules and school bullies.

• Whimsical Illustrations: Written and illustrated by Jill Murphy, the books feature charming, expressive drawings that visually capture the cozy, chaotic, and magical atmosphere of Miss Cackle’s Academy.