23. A Pinch Of Magic by Michelle Harrison_ch23

Summary

In this exciting chapter from 'A Pinch of Magic' by Michelle Harrison, Betty and her friends find themselves back in time, facing the challenge of stopping a curse from ever being made. They are on a mission to retrieve stolen objects that are crucial to breaking the curse, but with danger lurking and unexpected challenges, including a tense encounter with Prudence, Betty must rely on quick thinking and courage. As tensions rise, their journey to save Sorsha and return home becomes even more perilous. The group’s resourcefulness and determination are put to the ultimate test as they race against time.

Takeaways

• 😀 The reader is excited to continue Chapter 23 of *A Pinch of Magic* by Michelle Harrison, emphasizing the growing anticipation and the journey's unfolding mystery.
• 😀 The reader mentions connecting with the audience through reading, including a personal tribute to their son who suggested sharing stories with others.
• 😀 The chapter begins with Betty and her friends arriving at a familiar but changed location, showing the passage of time and the impact it has on their surroundings.
• 😀 Betty and her companions notice the difference in the environment, with everything appearing newer and cleaner than they remember, heightening the sense of unease and change.
• 😀 The group soon realizes that the objects they had been carrying, including a bag, mirror, and doll, have disappeared, forcing them to consider the implications of traveling back in time.
• 😀 The characters discuss the moon's strange red hue and the possible dangers of the situation, with Betty expressing her doubts about the curse and its consequences.
• 😀 Prudence Wilder, the character Betty despises, is introduced, and it’s revealed that she has a connection to the curse and Betty's family.
• 😀 Betty and her friends find themselves in a race against time to retrieve important items from Prudence to prevent the curse from being made, despite the growing tension and risks.
• 😀 A distraction plan is devised by Colton and Charlie to help Betty sneak upstairs and retrieve the necessary objects while avoiding being caught.
• 😀 Betty successfully finds the stolen objects in a cluttered cupboard and manages to escape with them, feeling a mix of relief and fear as she navigates the growing chaos around her.
• 😀 The chapter ends with the group preparing to move forward with their plan, despite the challenges ahead, and the reader expresses gratitude for sharing the experience with the audience.

Q & A

Why is the narrator reading this book publicly?

The narrator is reading the book publicly as a tribute to their son, who suggested they share the books they read aloud to others. This is especially for those who can't read or need help with reading.

What significant event has caused Betty, Charlie, and Fliss to travel back in time?

They have traveled back in time to prevent a curse from being made. The curse is connected to the betrayal of Sorcia by Prudence Wilder, and they are working to stop it from happening.

What objects do the characters realize they no longer have upon arriving in the past?

Betty, Charlie, and Fliss realize that they no longer have the bag containing important objects, such as a mirror and the nesting dolls, which are crucial to their mission.

How does the moon appear when the characters arrive in the past, and what is its significance?

The moon appears during the day, visible and red, which is a sign of an eclipse. This unusual sight causes the characters to feel uneasy, as it might be interpreted as a bad omen by the people of that time.

What does Betty discover when she searches the rooms in the house?

Betty discovers that the rooms are cleaner and more pristine than she remembers, but there are no signs of the mirror or dolls. She realizes that Prudence must have hidden them somewhere else.

Where does Betty finally find the missing objects?

Betty finds the missing objects inside a wooden box in the cupboard, which was filled with junk. She carefully opens it to retrieve the mirror, the dolls, and a pouch of jewelry.

How does Betty manage to escape unnoticed with the objects?

Betty manages to escape unnoticed by hiding the objects in her clothes, then quickly leaving the room and heading downstairs. She also uses a distraction, created by Colton and Charlie, to cover her movements.

What is Betty’s reaction when she confronts Prudence in the cupboard?

Betty feels a mix of anger and disgust as she confronts Prudence, who betrayed Sorcia. She takes the opportunity to make sure Prudence understands that her betrayal won't go unpunished, even if she doesn't fully comprehend the consequences.

What is the plan after they retrieve the objects?

Once they retrieve the objects, the plan is to use them to save Sorcia and prevent the curse from being made. Afterward, they will return the objects to Prudence, ensuring the curse never happens.

Why does Betty decide not to immediately go to the tower with the bag?

Betty decides not to immediately go to the tower with the bag because they need to plan carefully. She wants to understand what they are dealing with and ensure they are prepared before heading to the prison.