The All-Powerful Ring: 2 (The Witches of Benevento) - Hardcover

Praise for The Witches of Benevento series: "Blackall's delicate, lovely artwork is bewitching and Marciano's text is, as the title implies, loaded with molto mischief. I can't wait to read what the Janara have in store for the Benevento kids next." --Lane Smith, author of Return to Augie Hobble "Not your run-of-the-mill chapter book. What we have here is a fresh, charming tale about an Italian village afflicted with witches and the brave, quarrelsome band of friends who try to make their acquaintance. A frisky, ingenious introduction to an old world and a new series." --Annie Barrows, author of the Ivy and Bean series "There is a mystery in Benevento--a mystery of witches and spirits and magic. Will you go back in time to this charming town and solve the mystery? And if you do, will you tell me what the solution is? Really! Please tell me! But watch out for the spirits. They are mischievous indeed...The Witches is a charming, intelligent tale, illustrated beautifully and evocatively. --Adam Gidwitz, author of A Tale Dark and Grimm "Marciano has delivered a delicious blend of otherworldly adventure, sure to be a hit with young readers. Blackall's distinctive and expressive drawings complement the gentle magical tale. A magnificent introduction to fantasy for younger chapter readers" --School Library Journal "A fresh and pleasing Continental sojourn for chapter-book readers." --Kirkus Reviews

Benevento, a town in southern Italy, is famous for its witches, who are not broomstick-riding hags but a variety of supernatural beings. Among them are the Janara, who fly about on stormy nights performing mischief; the Clopper, an old witch who chases children through the streets of town; and the Manalonga, who hide in wells and under bridges and try to drag children down. Benevento is an ancient town; a Roman theatre is at the center, a castle fortress overlooks the town and the river, and farmland surrounds it. The stories in the Witches of Benevento series take place in the 1820s and feature five children, two of whom are twins. In each of the four books in the series, a different child will be the main character. Book 2: When Primo catches a fish in the river and finds a ring inside, he believes the ring will provide supernatural protection for him and his friends.