The Curse of Madame Petrova

This enchanting chapter book follows twins Silke and Janis, who were separated at birth due to a terrible prophecy from Madame Petrova predicting their mutual demise. After their parents' death, their greedy cousins bring them back together, hoping the prophecy will come true so they can inherit the family home. Determined to survive, the twins fake their deaths and embark on a perilous journey through a fairy-tale-like historical Europe. They face harsh winters, poachers, a dancing bear, and mysterious figures, all while trying to understand and break the curse. This story is ideal for children aged 7-11 for independent reading, or 4-6 as a read-aloud, offering a blend of adventure, mystery, and deep emotional themes about family and destiny.

CCBC Choices 2025 Two twins, separated since birth by a terrible prophecy . . . until now! Since birth, Silke and her twin brother Janis have been separated. For a terrible prophecy, made to their parents by the mysterious Madame Petrova, predicted that the twins would one day be the cause of each other’s demise. So, Janis was sent away to be brought up among the mountains, while Silke remained in the family home . . . until now. Silke and Janis's parents have died, and their devious cousins have brought them back together to carry out the prophecy so they can inherit the family home. But the twins are determined not to let that happen — and so they decide to run away. Faking their own death, they flee into the forest wilderness, meeting poachers, a harsh winter, a dancing bear, a mysterious medium, and . . . Madame Petrova. Can the two siblings stick together and unravel the prophecy before it manifests? Set in a charming blend of fairy-tale setting and historical Europe, The Curse of Madame Petrova bewitches and builds to a crescendo that feels genuinely unexpected and movingly shocking.