Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth
Encyclopedia
Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth, or Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth and Me in some editions, is a children's novel
by E. L. Konigsburg
. It was her first book published, in 1967, the same year as her second book From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
. Mixed-Up Files won the 1968 Newbery Medal
and Jennifer won a Newbery Honor, making Konigsburg the only person to win both citations in one year.
The Newbery Honor was initiated for the 1970/71 cycle and Newbery Honors for books published before 1970 were named in retrospect.
She had submitted both manuscripts to editor Jean E. Karl
at Atheneum Books
, who accepted both.
day, when she doesn't yet have friends. Although dressed as a Pilgrim
, Jennifer claims to be a real witch
. After their first Saturday meeting, she takes Elizabeth as an apprentice
and gives regular assignments. "For the first week ... you must eat a raw egg every day. And you must bring me an egg every day. Make mine hard boiled." The apprenticeship is difficult for Elizabeth; sometimes she gets mad at Jennifer. But "before I'd got Jennifer, I'd had no one."
After several weeks they choose a long project, to prepare an ointment that conveys the ability to fly. It will also be a test for Elizabeth's promotion. The final ingredient will be a live frog, who becomes a pet in the meantime (months). Elizabeth stops Jennifer from adding the frog, which terminates the ointment and their friendship. Later Elizabeth realizes that her affection for the frog was part of the test.
Finally Elizabeth learns that Jennifer lives across the street, where her father is gardener at "The Estate". As she proudly puts the clues together, Jennifer is walking to her door. Inside, Jennifer soon laughs and admits that she is not a real witch. The two girls become normal friends.
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
by E. L. Konigsburg
E. L. Konigsburg
Elaine Lobl Konigsburg is an American author and illustrator of children's books and young adult fiction. She is one of five authors to win two Newbery Medals, awarded annually for one contribution to American children's literature.Her first two manuscripts were submitted to editor Jean E...
. It was her first book published, in 1967, the same year as her second book From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a novel by E. L. Konigsburg. It was published by Atheneum Books in 1967, the second published from two manuscripts the new writer had submitted to editor Jean E...
. Mixed-Up Files won the 1968 Newbery Medal
Newbery Medal
The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...
and Jennifer won a Newbery Honor, making Konigsburg the only person to win both citations in one year.
The Newbery Honor was initiated for the 1970/71 cycle and Newbery Honors for books published before 1970 were named in retrospect.
She had submitted both manuscripts to editor Jean E. Karl
Jean E. Karl
Jean Edna Karl was an American book editor who specialized in children's and science fiction titles. She founded and led the children's division and young adult and science fiction imprints at Atheneum Books, where she oversaw or edited books that won two Caldecott Medals and five Newbery Medals...
at Atheneum Books
Atheneum Books
Atheneum Books was a publishing house and adult publisher created by Alfred A. Knopf, Jr. in 1959. He recruited editor Jean E. Karl personally, to come and establish a Children's Book Department in 1961....
, who accepted both.
Summary
Jennifer is narrated by the protagonist, me, Elizabeth in the title. She has moved into a big apartment building in a town where almost everyone lives in houses. She meets Jennifer on her way back to school after lunch on HalloweenHalloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
day, when she doesn't yet have friends. Although dressed as a Pilgrim
Pilgrim
A pilgrim is a traveler who is on a journey to a holy place. Typically, this is a physical journeying to some place of special significance to the adherent of a particular religious belief system...
, Jennifer claims to be a real witch
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
. After their first Saturday meeting, she takes Elizabeth as an apprentice
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a skill. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships...
and gives regular assignments. "For the first week ... you must eat a raw egg every day. And you must bring me an egg every day. Make mine hard boiled." The apprenticeship is difficult for Elizabeth; sometimes she gets mad at Jennifer. But "before I'd got Jennifer, I'd had no one."
After several weeks they choose a long project, to prepare an ointment that conveys the ability to fly. It will also be a test for Elizabeth's promotion. The final ingredient will be a live frog, who becomes a pet in the meantime (months). Elizabeth stops Jennifer from adding the frog, which terminates the ointment and their friendship. Later Elizabeth realizes that her affection for the frog was part of the test.
Finally Elizabeth learns that Jennifer lives across the street, where her father is gardener at "The Estate". As she proudly puts the clues together, Jennifer is walking to her door. Inside, Jennifer soon laughs and admits that she is not a real witch. The two girls become normal friends.