Half Magic Book Half Magic is a children's fantasy novel written by Edward Eager. It was first published in 1954 and has since become a beloved classic in children's literature. The book tells the story of four siblings who discover a magic coin that grants half of any wish they make. The four siblings - Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha - are in for an adventure of a lifetime when they stumble upon the magical coin. Each sibling gets to make a wish, but there is a catch - the wishes only come true halfway. This leads to hilarious and often chaotic situations as the children try to navigate the limitations of their wishes.
This leads to hilarious and often chaotic situations as the children try to navigate the limitations of their wishes. As the story unfolds, the children find themselves in various magical adventures and misadventures. They encounter a talking cat, travel back in time to meet knights and dragons, and even visit Camelot.
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Mark, Katherine, Jane, and Martha, the children of a single mother, find themselves entrusted with a lot of responsibility when they discover a magic coin that works by halves. Their mother unwittingly has the first adventure with the coin, during which she suddenly finds herself halfway home from visiting her aunt and uncle, but soon the children are making carefully calculated wishes that take them to far-flung points in time and space.
My husband and I listened to the full cast audiobook recording of this book on a car trip years ago, but I believe I slept through some of it and therefore didn’t add it to my Goodreads shelves because I hadn’t read the full story. This time around, I read the book aloud to my three oldest daughters (ages 2, 4, and 6) and enjoyed it much more. My intended audience was really the oldest two girls, and they both loved the idea of the magic coin and its tricky way of granting wishes. Each time we sat down to read, they were curious to know who was going to have a turn with the coin next and how they were going to use it.
For me, the appeal was largely that, despite the magical elements, the story is grounded in reality. I have a hard time diving right into fantasy worlds, so I always appreciate it when an author begins in the real world and slowly introduces magic. I also thought it was a fun way to encourage my kids to think mathematically, and also a great excuse to introduce them to the legend of King Arthur, which figures heavily into one child’s adventure with the coin.
Half Magic will appeal to readers who like old-fashioned family stories, like Elizabeth Enright’s Melendys series or Eleanor Estes’s Moffats books, as well as to those who enjoy stories where magic enters the real world a la The Enchanted Castle by E. Nesbit. I plan to read aloud the sequel, Magic by the Lake, possibly during the upcoming school year.
This post is part of r/fantasy's series of Author Appreciation posts, focusing on lesser known (or well known but lesser discussed, possibly forgotten) authors, as organized and masterminded by u/The_Real_JS. Here is a complete list of appreciations to date.
The combination of magic and ordinary life creates a charming and whimsical atmosphere throughout the book. Half Magic not only captures the imagination of young readers but also teaches valuable lessons about the power of friendship, teamwork, and the importance of being careful what you wish for. As the children learn to work together and make full use of their half wishes, they discover that even half magic can lead to full happiness and fulfillment. Edward Eager's writing style is humorous and engaging, with a touch of nostalgia that appeals to both children and adults. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and their adventures are filled with excitement and surprises. Eager's love for classic literature and folklore is evident in the references and allusions scattered throughout the book. Half Magic is a timeless tale that has enchanted generations of readers. Its blend of magic, humor, and relatable characters makes it a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good adventure. Whether you're a child or an adult, Half Magic is sure to spark your imagination and bring a smile to your face..
Reviews for "Navigating the Rules of Magic: An Exploration of the Magical System in "Half Magic"
1. Sarah - 1 star - "I found Half Magic Book to be incredibly underwhelming. The plot was predictable, with no real surprises or twists. The characters lacked depth and seemed one-dimensional. I felt no connection to any of them, making it difficult to care about their journey or what happened to them. The writing style was also quite juvenile, which made it hard for me to stay engaged. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend this book."
2. Mark - 2 stars - "While Half Magic Book had an interesting premise, it failed to deliver on its potential. The pacing was slow and the story dragged on in many parts. The humor also fell flat for me, as it seemed forced and repetitive. The lack of character development made it hard to get invested in the story, and I found myself losing interest as I continued reading. It had potential, but it just didn't live up to my expectations."
3. Emily - 2.5 stars - "Half Magic Book had an interesting concept, but it didn't fully deliver. The writing style was dull and lacked originality. The characters were forgettable and their actions often felt forced. The plot had potential, but it felt rushed and underdeveloped. There were also several plot holes and inconsistencies that left me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I think this book had promise, but it fell short in execution."