Twelve-year-old Jack is disgusted that he has to visit his great aunt Gretel (whom nobody in his family has ever seen, and who lives in a deadly forest with many skinny cats), horrified that there is no wi-fi, internet, or television in her dusty ancient cottage, and totally terrified when he realizes that she is a real, honest-to-goodness witch--fortunately she sends him packing after one night; unfortunately she sends him home with a deadly gift.