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Hocus Pocus Challenge
With October being around the corner, and the pumpkin spice is already out, we need fall more than ever.

Now we are all kinds of excited to bring you this beautiful and wicked challenge your way. Especially since Hocus Pocus is probably my most favorite Halloween movie ever!

This challenge is based on the movie and is split into 7 parts. There's a total of 112 tasks that are spread throughout them as well. Only one book will be counted per task, but the parts themselves do not need to be done in order.

For example, if someone reads the following:

for 1. Read a book published in October (any year).
for 109. Read a book from the Bullying Books List.

Then they just completed a task for Part 1 and Part 7.

Once a team has completed all the tasks for a part they will get 5 bonus points. If a team completes all the tasks for this challenge, then they can start the challenge all over again. They will also get 10 bonus points for completing the whole thing as well.

It's all just a bunch of hocus pocus!

This challenge will only take place during the month of October. That means, books will be accepted from October 1st to October 31st. Winners will be announced on November 1st.

If you start a book before October, you will only be able to count the pages that you read in October for this challenge. If the page amount is over 100 pages, you can still count it towards a category.

When signing up, please mention the number of books you plan on reading for the month of October. This number will be easier for me to make teams match up a bit more evenly.

For example,

Alaina - 50 books
Felicia - 10 books
Andy - 15 books
Aly - 50 books
Jennifer - 25 books

**You will not be penalized if you go over or under your number.**

The general challenge rules can be found here.

Page Points
1 - 99 pages �� 0.5 pts (and it will only count for page points - not categories)
100 - 149 pages �� 1 pt
150 - 249 pages �� 2 pts
250 - 349 pages �� 3 pts
350 - 449 pages �� 4 pts
450 - 549 pages �� 5 pts
550+ pages �� 6 pts

Buddy Reads will DOUBLE your points.
BOTM will TRIPLE your points.

If you have any questions about this challenge, please click the link here: Q & A

Part 1:

On October 31, 1693, near Salem, Massachusetts, Thackery Binx sees his little sister, Emily, spirited away to the cottage of three witches.

1. Read a book published in October (any year).
2. Read a book first published on the 31st (any month).
3. Read a book set in the 1600's.
4. Read a book with the letters S,A,L,E,M in the title (in any order).
5. Read a book by an author with initials that are MA.
6. Read a book that features siblings (i.e., brother/sister, brother/brother, & sister/sister.)
7. Read a book where the main character is a witch.
8. Read a book where the title only has 3 words.
9. Read a book where 'spirit' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).
10. Read a book with a cottage on the cover.

**You can get 10 bonus points if you read a book that was first published on October 31st AND set in the 1600's.**


There, the Sanderson sisters, Winifred, Sarah, and Mary, cast a spell on Emily to absorb her youth and regain their own, killing her in the process.

11. Read a book where the title starts with any letter in SANDERSON.
12. Read a book where the main character's name starts with either W, S, or M.
13. Read a book where 'absorb' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).
14. Read a book with the letters S,P,E,L,L in the series title (in any order).
15. Read a book that features a death.

Thackery confronts the witches who transform him into an immortal black cat cursed to live forever with his guilt for not saving Emily. The townsfolk, led by Binx's father, capture the witches.

16. Read a book that features a confrontation (your interpretation).
17. Read a book that features shapeshifting.
18. Read a book where 'capture' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).
19. Read a book with an immortal character.

But before being hanged, Winifred's spellbook casts a curse that will resurrect the witches during a full moon on All Hallow's Eve when any virgin lights the Black Flame Candle.

20. Read a book that has Magic for a Main Page Genre (MPG Magic).
21. Read a book that features a holiday.
22. Read a book with the letters V,I,R,G,I,N in the title (in any order).
23. Read a book with a moon on the cover.

Unable to convince his father of his true identity as a cat, Thackery guards the cottage to ensure no one summons the witches.

24. Read a book with a cat on the cover.
25. Read a book that features guards.

Part 2:

Three hundred years later, on October 31, 1993, on Halloween, Max Dennison is feeling unsettled from his family's sudden move from Los Angeles, California, to Salem, Massachusetts.

26. Read a book that is set in the '90's
27. Read a book set in High School
28. Read a book set in two places (i.e., California & Massachusetts.
29. Read a book where the main character is unsettled.

Max takes his younger sister Dani trick-or treating, where they run into Max's new crush Allison.

30. Read a book where 'trick' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word)
31. Read a book where the title has the word 'OR' in it.
32. Read a book where the author's initials are in TREAT
33. Read a book that has a hyphen in the title.
34. Read a book that features a crush.

Allison mentions that her family owns the Sanderson cottage as a museum.

35. Read a book from the Museums Books List
36. Read a book where 'cottage' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).
37. Read a book that has Family for a Main Page Genre (MPG Family).

Max, in effort to impress Allison, invites her to show him the Sanderson house to convince him that the witches are real.

38. Read a book where the main character is invited to something (i.e., party, wedding, etc.)
39. Read a book where the main character's name is only 3 letters long. (i.e., Aly, Kit, Amy, Bri, etc.)
40. Read a book with the letters W,I,T,C,H,E,S in the series title (in any order).

Part 3:

Investigating inside the cottage, Max lights the Black Flame Candle and inadvertently resurrects the witches, who must continue to suck the souls of every child in Salem to continue living, or else they disintegrate.

41. Read a book with a candle on the cover.
42. Read a book where 'candle' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).
43. Read a book that features a resurrection.
44. Read a book where the title starts with any letter in SOULS.

The witches attempt to suck the soul of Dani, but Max comes to her rescue.

45. Read a book that features a rescue.
46. Read a book where the main character attempts to do a task.
47. Read a book with lots of twists.

Escaping, Max steals Winifred's spellbook on advice from Thackery.

48. Read a book that features a spellbook.
49. Read a book where the main character is a thief.
50. Read a book with the letters E,S,C,A,P,E in the series title (in any order).
51. Read a book where 'advice' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).

The witches pursue them to a cemetery, where Winifred raises her unfaithful lover Billy Butcherson as a zombie to chase them on foot.

52. Read a book from the Cemetery Books List
53. Read a book that features zombies.
54. Read a book that features an unfaithful character.
55. Read a book where 'cemetery' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).
56. Read a book with an alliterative title.

Part 4:

The witches try to acclimate to the 20th Century, but are horrified when they discover Halloween has become a holiday.

57. Read a book published in the 20th Century.
58. Read a book that has Horror for a Main Page Genre (MPG Horror).
59. Read a book where 'costume' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).
60. Read a book with candy on the cover.

They pursue the children across town using Mary's enhanced sense of smell..

61. Read a book with a nose on the cover.
62. Read a book where 'smell' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).
63. Read a book that has been tagged 'adventure' on the first page.

Max, Allison, and Dani find their parents at a Halloween party at the town hall, where Winifred enchants the partygoers to dance until they die.

64. Read a book the features a curse.
65. Read a book where the main character sings.
66. Read a book with the letters P,A,R,T,Y in the series title (in any order).
67. Read a book where 'dance' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).
68. Read a book where the word 'DIE' is in the title.

At Jacob Bailey High School, the children trap the witches in a kiln to burn them alive. While celebrating the witches' curse revives them again.

69. Read a book with fire on the cover.
70. Read a book that features a trap.
71. Read a book where 'celebration' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).
72. Read a book with the letters B,U,R,N in the title (in any order).

Part 5:

Not realizing that the witches haven't truly died, Max and Allison open the spellbook in an effort to reverse the spell on Binx.

73. Read a book where someone faked their own death.
74. Read a book where 'spell' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).
75. Read a book where the author's initials are in REVERSE.

The open spellbook reveals the location of the group, and the witches track them down and kidnap Dani and Thackery, and get the book back.

76. Read a book that features a kidnapping.
77. Read a book with a book on the cover.
78. Read a book with the letters T,R,A,C,K in the title (in any order).

Sarah then uses her siren-like singing to mesmerize Salem's children, luring them to the Sandersons' cottage.

79. Read a book from the Mermaids Sirens Books List.
80. Read a book that features a mesmerized character (your interpretation).

Max and Allison rescue Dani and Thackery by tricking the witches into believing the sunrise came an hour early.

81. Read a book with a sun on the cover
82. Read a book where 'hour' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).

Part 6:

Back at the cemetery, Max runs into Billy, who cuts open his stitched up mouth and insults Winifred, joining Max to protect Dani.

83. Read a book with a rude character.
84. Read an enemies to lovers book.
85. Read a book that features a protective character.
86. Read a book where 'stitch' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).

The witches attack and Winifred attempts to suck out the soul from Dani with the single vial of potion she retrieved from her cauldron.

87. Read a book where the main character is single.
88. Read a book with the letters C,A,U,L,D,R,O,N in the series title (in any order).
89. Read a book where 'potion' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).
90. Read a book where the author's initials are in VIAL

Thackery leaps on Winifred and knocks the potion out of her hand into Max's but is then thrown to the ground and injured at the spot where his sister Emily's grave is.

91. Read a book where the main character is in danger.
92. Read a book where the word 'GRAVE' is in the title.
93. Read a book that features an injury.

Rather than smashing the vial, Max drinks it in order to force the witches to take him instead of Dani.

94. Read a book with a drink on the cover.
95. Read a book where 'smash' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).
96. Read a book where the main character is forced to do something.

The sun rises just as Winifred is about to finish draining Max's life force, and due to standing on hallowed ground in the cemetery, she turns into a stone statue, before she is disintegrated into dust along with her sisters.

97. Read a book where the title starts with any letter in HALLOWED.
98. Read a book with a statue on the cover.
99. Read a book where 'dust' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).

Part 7:

With the witches gone, Max, Dani, and Allison say goodbye to Billy Butcherson as he returns to the grave and gets to sleep.

100. Read a book that features a goodbye.
101. Read a book where 'sleep' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).

Thackery Binx finally dies, freeing his soul. Appearing as a spectral, Thackery Binx thanks Max, Dani, and Allison for their help and bids farewell to them before reuniting with the spirit of his little sister Emily.

102. Read a book that features a ghost.
103. Read a book that features a family reunion.

A gate door opens and Thackery and Emily walk through it out to heaven, fading away as the gate door closes and Max, Dani, and Allison happily watch them depart.

104. Read a book with a gate on the cover.
105. Read a book with a happy ending.
106. Read a book where 'door' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).

As the end credits begin, the exhausted partygoers, including Max and Dani's parents, Dave and Jenny, are freed from the now-broken spell and return home, oblivious to their enchantment.

107. Read a book that features an oblivious character.
108. Read a book that features a spell being broken.

Meanwhile, at the Sandersons' cottage, Jay and Ice, two bullies who earlier tormented Max and Dani were captured by the witches after inadvertently insulting them, remain imprisoned in their cages and sing 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat' to pass the time.

109. Read a book from the Bullying Books List.
110. Read a book where 'torment' can be found in text. (Please add page or % and the actual quote with the word).

The film ends with Winnie's spellbook opening its eye, revealing it is still alive and the witches could possibly return again.

111. Read a book with an eye on the cover.
112. Read a book with a cliffhanger.

Participants!
Anna 'Bookbuyer' - 2-3 books
Alaina - 60+ books
Maddielucy(Patti) - 25-30 books
Kelly - 30+ books
Cindy - 5-6 books
Aly - 50 books
Celia - 3-5 books
Tayane - 10 books
craftykatreads - 10 books
❀ Crystal �� - 20+ books
Vicki - 20+ books
Elizabeth - 10 books
Saige - 6 books
Shan ~A~ - 10+ books
Cindee - 20 books
J.D. - 12 books
Aarja - 5 books
BookWorm - 10 books
☘M������������ǰ��徱���� ~ The Serendipity Aegis ~ ⚡ϟ⚡ϟ⚡⛈ ✺❂❤❣ - mystery #
Johanne - 20 books
Jenn - 12-15 books
Ashley - 5 books
Keri - 7-8 books
Donna - 20 books
Jammin Jenny - 25 books

I'm in. 2-3 books. I'm barely reading anymore. 😭

Anna 'Bookbuyer' wrote: "I'm in. 2-3 books. I'm barely reading anymore. 😭"

Added ☺️

I'm in. I'll probably read about 25-30 books in October Thanks!

Maddielucy(Patti) wrote: "I'm in. I'll probably read about 25-30 books in October Thanks!"

Added ☺️

Count me in! 30+ books :)

I've never seen Hocus Pocus but I should probably watch it...

Kelly wrote: "Count me in! 30+ books :)

I've never seen Hocus Pocus but I should probably watch it..."



OMG please do! Also, added ☺️

I’ll join with 5-6 books in October

Cindy wrote: "I’ll join with 5-6 books in October"

Added ☺️

Yessss! 50 books please

Aly wrote: "Yessss! 50 books please"

Added ☺️

Yeah I'm in. 3 - 5 books probably

☮️❤️Celia❤️☮️ wrote: "Yeah I'm in. 3 - 5 books probably"

Added ☺️

This sounds fun! I'm not sure how much I'll be able to read, so I'm gonna say around 10 books.

Tayane wrote: "This sounds fun! I'm not sure how much I'll be able to read, so I'm gonna say around 10 books."

Added ☺️

sounds fun. count me in. I'm back at work so might not make all 10 books im planning to read.

Im in 20+ books

craftykatreads wrote: "sounds fun. count me in. I'm back at work so might not make all 10 books im planning to read."

Added ☺️

❀ Crystal �� - wrote: "Im in 20+ books"

Added ☺️

Looks fun...20+ books

Im in ! 15-20 books

Vicki wrote: "Looks fun...20+ books"

Added ☺️

Elizabeth wrote: "Im in ! 15-20 books"

Added ☺️

I'm in for about 6 books!

Saige wrote: "I'm in for about 6 books!"

Added ☺️

I will most likely read close to 20, but I'm just going to say 10+

Shan ~A~ wrote: "I will most likely read close to 20, but I'm just going to say 10+"

Added ☺️

I'm in for 20 books

Cindee wrote: "I'm in for 20 books"

Added ☺️

Alaina wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Im in ! 15-20 books"
Added ☺️"

Actually can I lower to 10?

I'm definitely in, this looks like a really fun challenge. I think I'll be able to read 10 - 12 books for the month of October.

Elizabeth wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Im in ! 15-20 books"
Added ☺️"

Actually can I lower to 10?"

Changed ☺️

J.D. wrote: "I'm definitely in, this looks like a really fun challenge. I think I'll be able to read 10 - 12 books for the month of October."

Added ☺️

Wow, this sounds super fun! I haven't watched Hocus Pocus yet, but now I'll surely do! I have not finalized my October TBR, but probably 5 books?

Aarja wrote: "Wow, this sounds super fun! I haven't watched Hocus Pocus yet, but now I'll surely do! I have not finalized my October TBR, but probably 5 books?"

Added ☺️

Alaina wrote: "
Changed ☺️"

Thank you!

Elizabeth wrote: "Alaina wrote: "
Changed ☺️"

Thank you!"

You're welcome!

I'm in for 10 books.

BookWorm wrote: "I'm in for 10 books."

Added ☺️

Hii! I'm in (but not sure about the #).

Hi everyone! I'm new on this group and I would like to join the challenge! Sign me up for 20 books please.