Ruby McCracken’s Guide to Christmas

Hi guys, Ruby McCracken here. As I get ready to spend another Christmas in the Ordinary World, I thought I’d explain some of the weird Ord customs to help any visiting witches. (And if you haven’t already, you can read my more general Guide to the Ord World here!)

Christmas Decorations

Ords do have Christmas trees, and they’re ALMOST the same as the ones back home in Hexadonia. The big difference is that instead of a tarantula, they put a star on top. Who knew?

And they put up what they call Christmas stockings, only the ones here aren’t smelly. They don’t seem to know that it’s best to use gym socks that have been worn continuously for at least eight days.

They have mistletoe here, too, but instead of tweaking someone’s nose under it, you’re supposed to – actually, I can’t say it. It’s too gross.

Christmas Dinner

OK, Ord Christmas cake is actually disgusting. They don’t use dried gnats and chopped earthworms like you’re supposed to, they put in raisins and currants and… BLECH.

Pigs in blankets are delicious though. Those Ords can get SOMETHING right at least…

Christmas in Hexadonia

You know what? Writing this is making me homesick for Christmas in Hexadonia. It’s my fourth favourite holiday (after Halloween, Feline Familiar Liberation Day and The Western Hexadonian Archipelagic Independence Day).

I have so many happy memories of singing Christmas carols with my friends. My favourites are “The Holly and the Poison Ivy”, “Jingle Bats”, and “The 12 Spells of Christmas”.

On snowy days, we would go outside and build snow trolls until my parents would call us in for dinner. The meal would always begin with Christmas creakers – you have to listen carefully to hear the C-R-E-A-K-I-N-G sound they make when you pull them.

Well, I’ve got to run now, because my dad’s calling me. He wants me to be a guinea pig for one of the new hair sculptures he’s creating for the salon where he works. It’s a Christmas-themed one, but to be honest, I really don’t see how he’ll fit all eight reindeer on my head…

About the Book

Ruby McCracken’s life is OVER. Her parents have forced her to move to the Ordinary World and that means – new home, new school and worst of all, no magic! Seriously?! A witch without magic? That’s LITERALLY tragic.

Ruby has to leave behind her broomstick (and walk everywhere – YUCK!) and her friends (no more watching Hex Factor together on a Saturday night). She’s absolutely STARVING with no snack spell, and there’s no way to get revenge on the mean girls at her boring new school without a good curse.

Despite her best witching efforts, the Ordinary World remains tragically magic-deprived, until Ruby receives a mysterious hext that seems to offer an answer. That is, if she can figure out what it means and, more importantly, who sent it.

Packed with great humour, loveable characters and witty banter, Ruby McCracken: Tragic Without Magic is perfect for fans of Witchworld and The Worst Witch.

Winner of the Kelpies Prize 2016. Find out about the all-new Kelpies Prize here!