Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth by E. L. Konigsburg
"Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth" is a children's novel by E. L. Konigsburg that centers around the imaginative friendship between two girls, Jennifer and Elizabeth. The story unfolds through the first-person narration of Elizabeth, who becomes enchanted by Jennifer, a self-proclaimed witch, after an unexpected encounter on her way to school. As their friendship develops, the girls engage in whimsical adventures and playful witchcraft-themed games, focusing on personal growth rather than any darker connotations associated with witchcraft.
Throughout the narrative, Elizabeth's self-confidence blossoms as she navigates the rules and improvisations set by Jennifer, which leads to a shift toward a more egalitarian relationship. The book is structured in ten short, humorous chapters that invite readers into the girls’ experiences and thoughts. With limited illustrations, the story relies heavily on natural dialogue and vivid descriptions to paint its scenes and characters. Recognized as a Newbery Honor Book in 1968, this novel is noted for its relatable themes and realistic portrayal of childhood dynamics, making it a memorable read that resonates with young audiences.
Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth by E. L. Konigsburg
First published: 1967; illustrated
Subjects: Coming-of-age, emotions, family, and friendship
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Psychological realism and social realism
Time of work: The 1960’s
Recommended Ages: 10-13
Locale: An elementary school
Principal Characters:
Elizabeth , the narrator, a shy adolescent who has no friends until she meets JenniferJennifer , a self-declared witch, who allows Elizabeth to become her apprenticeCynthia , a classmate who is neat, pretty, smart, and almost perfect around adults but mean to her classmates
Form and Content
Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth is written in the first person, with Elizabeth serving as the narrator. Two children, Jennifer and Elizabeth, participate in ongoing imaginative play about being witches. The story does not focus on witchcraft or any of the darker elements that are sometimes associated with stories about witches. Instead, the focus is on the growing friendship between two girls.
Elizabeth first meets Jennifer as she is walking alone to school one day. Jennifer hops out of a tree and asks about the cookies in Elizabeth’s lunch bag. After discussing how she knows that there are cookies in the bag (witches know everything), Jennifer, who is a self-declared witch, permits Elizabeth to become her apprentice. From then on, each trip to and from school becomes an adventure for Elizabeth because she may have contact with Jennifer. At least once or twice a week, Jennifer leaves notes for Elizabeth tacked to the tree where they first met. These notes arrange Saturday meeting times, mostly at the library, for the two of them to learn more about becoming witches. Jennifer, however, has some of her own rules for her apprentice witch, such as eating nothing but hot dogs one week and then the next week eating at least one onion a day. As the relationship between the two girls grows and changes, Elizabeth becomes more self-confident, and eventually the two are able to have an equal friendship as partners.
The book consists of ten short chapters, each written in a humorous and easy-to-read manner. The viewpoint of the narrator, Elizabeth, is that of a participant rather than an observer. Therefore, the reader is intimately involved in the story instead of being an spectator. Author E. L. Konigsburg provides a credible story in which the reader is able to understand why Elizabeth and Jennifer act and react as they do. Although the illustrations are limited to a small number of black-and-white sketches, the written descriptions provide detailed images for the reader, mostly through the dialogue of the characters and the personal thoughts of the narrator. The resolution to the story is not contrived; it comes about because of a series of carefully developed, realistic, and logical situations.
The book has a whimsical feel to it that invites constant speculation about what will happen next. Jennifer is unusual and carefree enough to leave one wondering if she does have some sort of magical powers: Perhaps she really is a witch. Yet, in examining her closely, the reader will be able to determine logically how Jennifer knows what she knows and why she acts as she does. Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth is an entertaining book that will remain in the mind of the reader for a long time.
Critical Context
E. L. Konigsburg is known for writing stories with dialogue that seems completely natural and realistic. In 1968, Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth was named a Newbery Honor Book, the same year that Konigsburg received the Newbery Medal for From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1967), another story with a female protagonist. To have one book recognized by the Newbery committee is an honor, but to have two receive acclaim in the same year is truly exceptional. Even more impressive is the fact that these novels were her first two books. Konigsburg is identified in the field of children’s literature as a notable author and one of those credited with introducing contemporary issues. She continued to write stories of realistic fiction for younger adolescents, including About the B’nai Bagels (1969), a story about a boy whose mother coaches his softball team; Journey to an 800 Number (1982), the story of a boy learning to appreciate his father during a summer visit; and Throwing Shadows (1988), a collection of short stories about people making discoveries about themselves. Her stories tell amusing tales that explore substantial, realistic themes throughout.