The Readin Roos

This book, the first in a trilogy, combines history, romance and mystery. While doing research in Oxford's Bodleian Library, Yale historian Diana Bishop comes upon an old, enchanted, alchemical manuscript titled Ashmole 782. She accidentally unlocks it. Diane prefers to use her intellect and is reluctant to use her magical powers since she is a descendent of one of the first women killed during the Salem Witch Trials.

I remembered reading this as a child, so I thought I'd give my childhood a quick rerun. As I was reading, I found a number of things I remembered and many I'd forgotten, including the ending, which was very satisfying.

On her way to school after lunch one day, fifth-grader Elizabeth chances upon Jennifer, a new classmate, sitting in a tree. She pushes Jennifer's falling-off shoe back onto her foot and a mysterious friendship is born. Jennifer, a self-proclaimed witch, holds a mystique for the very normal Elizabeth, who eagerly agrees to be Jennifer's apprentice witch.