This funny, exciting Halloween romp will entertain readers long after the holiday has passed. On her way to the All Hallows' Eve Ghastly Gala A-go-go, a scatterbrained old witch avoids a collision with the Channel 12 air traffic report helicopter. Trick-or-treater Sarah, six, sees her fall from the sky and gives her a Band-Aid. The witch repays the kindness by turning the child's fairy-princess-costume wand into a magical one that grants wishes. At first, these wishes are harmless enough, but then her desires begin to wreak havoc, as when she wishes that everyone had a dog. To remedy the problem, the witch tries a reversal spell that brings even more disasters. Silhouette illustrations decorate the opening pages of chapters. This beginning chapter book is for a much younger set than Vande Velde's usual audience, but the author maintains the wry wit and entertaining fantasy for which she is known. Readers will be kept on the edge of their broomsticks wondering how Sarah's life will ever be put back to normal.