Half Magic is a children's fantasy novel written by Edward Eager. The book was first published in 1954 and has since become a beloved classic. The story follows four siblings - Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha - who discover a magical coin that grants wishes. However, there's a catch - the coin only grants half of a wish. For example, if a child wishes to be a knight, they will only become half a knight. As the children continue to make wishes, they soon realize that their wishes always lead to unexpected and comical results.
About the Author
Now four cherished stories by Edward Eager about vacationing cousins who stumble into magical doings and whimsical adventures are available in updated hardcover and paperback formats. Now four cherished stories by Edward Eager about vacationing cousins who stumble into magical doings and whimsical adventures are available in updated hardcover and paperback formats.
As the children continue to make wishes, they soon realize that their wishes always lead to unexpected and comical results. For instance, when they wish to be in a desert island, they find themselves stranded on half an island. Throughout the book, the siblings embark on various adventures as they try to make the most of the limited power of the magical coin.
Half Magic, 1 - (Tales of Magic) by Edward Eager (Paperback)
It all begins with a strange coin on a sun-warmed sidewalk. Jane finds the coin, and because she and her siblings are having the worst, most dreadfully boring summer ever, she idly wishes something exciting would happen.
And something does: Her wish is granted. Or not quite. Only half of her wish comes true. It turns out the coin grants wishes--but only by half, so that you must wish for twice as much as you want.
Wishing for two times some things is a cinch, but other doubled wishes only cause twice as much trouble. What is half of twice a talking cat? Or to be half-again twice not-here? And how do you double your most heartfelt wish, the one you care about so much it has to be perfect?
This funny and gentle classic series is an enjoyable read-aloud and also a strong choice for independent reading. For fans of such favorite series as The Penderwicks and The Vanderbeekers.
Enjoy all seven of the middle grade novels in Edward Eager's beloved Tales of Magic series!
Review Quotes
"Half Magic is a funny, charming, timeless book, as much a pleasure to read to a child now as it was forty years ago. Those who had it read to them then may even have an obligation to pass on the pleasure." --The New York Times Book Review * "Ingenious make-believe. . . . Satisfying variety, surprise, and laughter. . . . A book children will want to read at one sitting." --Library Journal, starred review --
About the Author
Edward Eager (1911-1964) worked primarily as a playwright and lyricist. It wasn't until 1951, while he was searching for books to read to his young son, Fritz, that he began writing children's stories. His classic Tales of Magic series started with the best-selling Half Magic, published in 1954.
This book is halfway to overflowing with magic. Say anything while holding the magic charm from this book and you will get precisely half of what you wished for. The book starts off with Four children living in a poor town, and one of them finds a quarter on the sidewalk, and picks it up. It turns out to be a magic charm, a charm that splits whatever you wish precisely in half. Then the children go on all sorts of crazy adventures. From knights to a talking cat, their story just keeps getting crazier. This book is quite good, and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend to readers in fourth, fifth, and maby sixth grade.
They encounter talking animals, encounter a griffin, and even travel back to the Middle Ages. As the story progresses, the children learn valuable lessons about the importance of teamwork, compromise, and the consequences of their wishes. They begin to understand that not everything is as it seems, and that sometimes what they truly want may not be what they expect. Half Magic is known for its witty and humorous writing style, as well as its relatable characters. The book combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and comedy to create an enchanting and entertaining story for young readers. Over the years, Half Magic has garnered praise for its creativity, charm, and timeless message. It has become a treasured book among children and adults alike, and continues to captivate readers with its magical and whimsical storytelling..
Reviews for "The Writing Process Behind "Half Magic": An Interview with Edward Eager"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Half Magic" to be quite disappointing. The concept of children finding a magic coin that grants them only half of their wishes sounded interesting, but the execution fell flat. The plot felt repetitive and predictable, and the characters lacked depth. The writing style was also quite simplistic and didn't engage me as a reader. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn't recommend this book.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Half Magic" was a complete letdown for me. The story felt disjointed and had no clear direction. The characters were one-dimensional and their actions didn't make much sense. It seemed like the author was trying to include too many ideas into one book, which made the story feel cluttered and messy. I struggled to get through this book and was ultimately left feeling unsatisfied.
3. Mike - 2 stars - I expected great things from "Half Magic," but unfortunately, it didn't deliver. The writing style felt juvenile and the dialogue was cringe-worthy at times. The concept of half wishes had potential, but it wasn't explored in a meaningful way. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening and then rushed resolutions. Overall, I found this book to be lacking in substance and substance and would not recommend it.
4. Emily - 2 stars - "Half Magic" was not what I expected at all. The story felt shallow and rushed, with little time given to develop important plot points or characters. The inclusion of different magical creatures and realms felt forced and didn't add much to the overall story. The writing style was also quite simplistic and lacked any real depth. I wanted to like this book, but it just didn't resonate with me.
5. Tom - 1 star - I found "Half Magic" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was unoriginal and felt like a rehashed version of other children's fantasy books. The characters were uninteresting and made choices that made no sense. I struggled to stay engaged with the story and had no investment in how it would turn out. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling read.