Much as she'd like to be, Salem Hyde just isn't like other kids. For one thing, she has magical powers. For another, she's a genius. She wants to use her powers to help people, but things don't always work out as planned. Salem acts first and thinks later—which means most of her thinking involves thinking up excuses! Good thing she's got a sidekick, Lord Percival J. Whamsford III. This over-anxious cat doesn't like Salem calling him “Whammy” and Salem doesn't like listening to his long-winded explanations as to why she shouldn't do something . . . like entering the class spelling bee. Salem knows she can beat all her classmates at spells, no problem. Too late she realises the competition is about spelling, not Salem's strong point. And there's nothing like a misspelled spell to cause all kinds of havoc!