Half Magic by Edward Eager is a charming children's fantasy book that tells the story of four siblings who discover a magical coin that grants them half of whatever they wish for. As they embark on various adventures and misadventures, they learn valuable lessons about responsibility, teamwork, and the power of imagination. The story begins with Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha finding the coin while on a boring summer vacation. They quickly discover its magical properties when they realize that whatever they wish for only comes true halfway. For example, if they wish for a plate of cookies, they only get half of what they asked for. Throughout the novel, the children encounter numerous comical situations as they learn to navigate the limitations of the coin's magic.
The charm opens the world to demi-desire, with all its incidental delights and perils. Incautious cravings ("I wish you'd go jump in the lake"; "I wish I weren't here") can cause no end of half-trouble.
She rescues Sir Launcelot ungrateful and, as I always suspected, overrated , but is piqued by his arrogance and resents being called churl or elfspawn. She rescues Sir Launcelot ungrateful and, as I always suspected, overrated , but is piqued by his arrogance and resents being called churl or elfspawn.
Throughout the novel, the children encounter numerous comical situations as they learn to navigate the limitations of the coin's magic. They make wishes for things like a trip to a desert island, a magic carpet ride, and the ability to fly. However, their wishes always come with unexpected results.
Half Magic (Tales of Magic #1) (Paperback)
This is book number 1 in the Tales of Magic series.
- #2: Magic by the Lake (Tales of Magic #2) (Paperback): $7.99
- #3: Knight's Castle (Tales of Magic #3) (Paperback): $7.99
- #4: The Time Garden (Tales of Magic #4) (Paperback): $7.99
- #5: Magic or Not? (Tales of Magic #5) (Paperback): $7.99
- #6: The Well-Wishers (Tales of Magic #6) (Paperback): Email or call for price.
- #7: Seven-Day Magic (Tales of Magic #7) (Paperback): $7.99
Description
Book one in the series called "truly magic in a reader's hands" by Jack Gantos, Newbery Medal winner for Dead End in Norvelt.
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!
About the Author
Edward Eager (1911–1964) worked primarily as a playwright and lyricist. It wasn’t until 1951, while 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. In each of his books he carefully acknowledges his indebtedness to E. Nesbit, whom he considered the best children’s writer of all time—“so that any child who likes my books and doesn’t know hers may be led back to the master of us all.”
Alice Hoffman is the author of many books for children including Aquamarine, Green Angel, and Nightbird. Her books for adults include Practical Magic, The Museum of Extraordinary Things,The Dovekeepers and The Marriage of Opposites. Half Magic is her favorite book for children and Edward Eager is her favorite children’s book author.
Praise For…
“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 —
- Juvenile Fiction / Classics
- Juvenile Fiction / Fantasy & Magic
- Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories
- Paperback, Large Print (November 14th, 2005): $15.99
- Paperback (March 31st, 1999): $6.99
Edward Eager (1911–1964) worked primarily as a playwright and lyricist. It wasn’t until 1951, while 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. In each of his books he carefully acknowledges his indebtedness to E. Nesbit, whom he considered the best children’s writer of all time—“so that any child who likes my books and doesn’t know hers may be led back to the master of us all.”
As the children continue to make wishes, they learn the importance of making their intentions clear and thinking through the consequences of their actions. They also learn to work together and compromise to achieve their goals. Along the way, the children meet a talking cat named Mr. Smith who advises them on their wishes and helps them navigate the magical world they have stumbled upon. With Mr. Smith's guidance, the siblings begin to understand the true power of the coin and the importance of using it wisely. Half Magic is a delightful tale that combines elements of fantasy and adventure with important life lessons. Edward Eager's engaging storytelling and relatable characters make this book a timeless classic that continues to captivate young readers. In conclusion, Half Magic by Edward Eager is a magical and entertaining story that teaches children about responsibility, cooperation, and the power of imagination. It is a must-read for any child who wants to embark on a whimsical and enchanting adventure..
Reviews for "Half Magic: A Magical Journey into the Imagination of Edward Eager"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Half Magic" by Edward Eager. The writing felt incredibly juvenile and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and the plot was predictable. I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the story and ended up skimming through most of it. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a more sophisticated and nuanced read.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Half Magic" was a complete letdown for me. The concept of finding a magic coin that grants half of your wishes sounded interesting, but the execution fell flat. The writing style was bland and the characters were unmemorable. I also found the pacing to be too slow, making it difficult to maintain my interest. Overall, I found the book to be uninspiring and not worth my time.
3. Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Half Magic," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story felt rushed and the magical elements were not well explained. The dialogue between the characters was clichéd and lacked depth. Additionally, the resolution of the conflicts felt too convenient and predictable. While the concept of the book was intriguing, the execution left much to be desired.
4. Emily - 2 stars - I couldn't get into "Half Magic" by Edward Eager. The characters were uninteresting and the plot lacked excitement. The writing style felt outdated and didn't engage me as a reader. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it to others looking for a captivating fantasy read.