In The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, David, Janie, Tesser, and Blair Stanley are all a bit surprised when Amanda, their new stepsister shows up at their house dressed in a ceremonial costume and carrying a crow she says is her "familiar".
After claiming to be studying witchcraft, the Stanley kids mark her off as strange, until truly strange things begin to happen around their house. A wooden cupid carved into the stairs gets its head lopped off by rocks flying through the house, and when the Stanley children's father is away, chaos is unleashed upon their home. Amanda claims that a evil poltergeist is haunting their house, and that only they can vanquish the evil spirit.
My thoughts
The Headless Cupid was the book that made me interested when I read it for the first time, even though the magic, (SPOILER ALERT) is revealed to be actually fake in the end. (SPOILER IS NOW OVER) but is it?
The book leaves you to ponder that question. I do recommend to not only read this book but all of Zilpha Keatley Snyder's books. Although they are old, they have become parts of many people's childhood, as it has for mine.
Everything in perfect detail to the lush outdoors to the spooky atmosphere of the Stanley's house. It's just me, but Autumn has a certain feel and smell, and this book gives me that.