Since Half Magic first hit bookshelves in 1954, Edward Eagers tales of magic have become beloved classics. Now four cherished stories by Edward Eag...
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Dec 16, 2009
colleen
rated it: 
oh, one of my all time favorites. i LOVE when they wish the cat could talk and since it is half-magic, the cat's every other word is "meow."
i bought this (and the rest of the series) for my niece for christmas a couple of years ago, and i can't wait until my daughters are old enough to read it.
i bought this (and the rest of the series) for my niece for christmas a couple of years ago, and i can't wait until my daughters are old enough to read it.
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Apr 27, 2008
Abigail
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Four siblings, Jane, Mark, Katherine, and Martha, find their dull summer vacation transformed by the magical, wish-giving coin that Jane finds one day. After a number of experiments in which the children discover that the coin only half-grants the wishes asked of it, they set out to have some adventures, asking for twice as much of everything they desire. Hilarious misadventures ensue when the children travel back to the time of King Arthur, when baby Martha half disappears, and when Jane wishes
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Oct 11, 2007
Donald
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Edward Eager was my very first "favorite" author. I remember reading "Half Magic" and feeling a light turn on in my mind; my imagination was stimulated like never before. This is the first of a series of magical adventures involving two sets of children, who are intertwined biologically and magically (in Eager's later book "The Time Garden," the children of the characters in this book and "Magic By The Lake" would be saved by their own future children). Ba
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Mar 27, 2009
Spencer
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I read the first 2 chapters a day or two ago and was intrigued. Today I picked it up again and read the third chapter. It had me laughing out loud. So, I finished it today.
This is, apparently, a children's book. Back in the day, children were considerably more well-read. They would have had to be, otherwise they would miss the multitude of references to other works of literature. For example there is the part that goes something like this (not quoting verbatim, but it goes some More...
This is, apparently, a children's book. Back in the day, children were considerably more well-read. They would have had to be, otherwise they would miss the multitude of references to other works of literature. For example there is the part that goes something like this (not quoting verbatim, but it goes some More...
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Mar 13, 2009
Mamamaggie
rated it:
maggie and I really liked this book. It is the first we have read together that is this length & we are very excited to read more creative fiction like this together. Very much like Edward Eager's writing and plan on starting the next of the series.
maggie (6 yo) liked the pictures and the magic coin. that was her favorite part. in the book possession of the magic coin allows the possessor's wishes to come half-true. it was imaginative but not frightening, even in the section where knights o More...
maggie (6 yo) liked the pictures and the magic coin. that was her favorite part. in the book possession of the magic coin allows the possessor's wishes to come half-true. it was imaginative but not frightening, even in the section where knights o More...
Mar 06, 2011
Jesse
rated it:
Summertime belongs to childhood. The grown-up version, with BBQs and yard work, can’t compare to the long, long days spent exploring and digging in the dirt.
Now, I’m a winter girl, through and through, but when the lightning bugs start to rise up out of the grass, I start to ache for the summers from when I was little. Unfortunately, all the kids who used to comeoutandplay have moved on, and I’ve been trying to eat less dirt, so I was at a loss for a way to revisit my summers.
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Now, I’m a winter girl, through and through, but when the lightning bugs start to rise up out of the grass, I start to ache for the summers from when I was little. Unfortunately, all the kids who used to comeoutandplay have moved on, and I’ve been trying to eat less dirt, so I was at a loss for a way to revisit my summers.
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Aug 25, 2010
Connie
rated it: 
Mostly, I love this book. I liked it as a kid (except for that caveat I'll get to in a minute). I like it now, as a grown-up. The story is interesting and engaging. The trouble the kids get themselves into is believable (well, for a fantasy novel...!), and I like their solutions. The problem of having to double all your wishes is interesting to me. The only thing is...
The only thing is that a whole chapter is taken up with a trip to a desert, where the children run across an evil, wi More...
The only thing is that a whole chapter is taken up with a trip to a desert, where the children run across an evil, wi More...
Sep 14, 2009
Mitchy
rated it:
ของนักเขียนคนนี้มีแปลไทยหนึ่งเล่มแล้วคือ "seven days magic"
เล่มนั้นอ่านแล้วรู้สึกเฉยๆ
แต่เล่มนี้อ่านแล้วสนุกดี ถ้าอ่านตอนเด็กกว่านี้น่าจะเป็นหนังสือที่ชอบได้ไม่ยาก
เป็นแนวกลุ่มเด็กพี่น้องที่ได้พบการผจญภัยเกี่ยวกับเวทย์มนต์แบบเรื่องของ E.Nesbit (ซึ่งก็มาอ่านประวัติผู้เขียนแล้วพบว่าเค้าชื่นชอบเนสบิทมากๆจึงเขียนเรื่องเพื่อให้เด็กๆที่ได้อ่านหนังสือของเค้าได้รู้จักกับนักเขียนคนนี้)
แต่เรารู้สึกว่าหนังสือของเนสบิทสนุกกว่า...แต่ก็น่าจะเป็นเพราะได้อ่านตอนเด็กๆนั่นเอ More...
เล่มนั้นอ่านแล้วรู้สึกเฉยๆ
แต่เล่มนี้อ่านแล้วสนุกดี ถ้าอ่านตอนเด็กกว่านี้น่าจะเป็นหนังสือที่ชอบได้ไม่ยาก
เป็นแนวกลุ่มเด็กพี่น้องที่ได้พบการผจญภัยเกี่ยวกับเวทย์มนต์แบบเรื่องของ E.Nesbit (ซึ่งก็มาอ่านประวัติผู้เขียนแล้วพบว่าเค้าชื่นชอบเนสบิทมากๆจึงเขียนเรื่องเพื่อให้เด็กๆที่ได้อ่านหนังสือของเค้าได้รู้จักกับนักเขียนคนนี้)
แต่เรารู้สึกว่าหนังสือของเนสบิทสนุกกว่า...แต่ก็น่าจะเป็นเพราะได้อ่านตอนเด็กๆนั่นเอ More...
Sep 27, 2007
Medford Children's Library
rated it:
Four children find a coin that grants them half a wish. Unfortunately, they don't find out about the magic until each one accidentally makes a wish including their mother. The children have wacky adventures through the desert, king arthur's court, and at the movies. They must learn to wish wisely or surely they will be stuck! Should they tell an adult? What if the coin runs out of wishes? A great fantasy book for 4th grade and up.
Food for thought: If you had one wish what would it be
Food for thought: If you had one wish what would it be
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May 23, 2011
I don't like the illustration on the cover of this edition. The edition I read made it clear that the story takes place, not in the 1950s, but in the 1920s, and are the same as the internal illustrations in this book. Furthermore, the language is anything but 'old-fashioned'. People tend to forget that the 1920s were a revolutionary era, and that the modernization they began was shunted onto a siding by the Depression, the War, and the subsequent marterialistic conservatism--and only began to
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Oct 03, 2010
Teresa
rated it:
I read this for the first time as an adult and although I wouldn t say it's the greatest kids book I ve ever read, the story is lots of fun. Each adventure is just different enough to keep the story from getting tedious. And there s the kind of humor that s typical of a lot of classic children s fiction. I also enjoyed how the children's magical adventures started to pale in comparison to some of the real-life drama. There are a couple of moments of real emotional honesty there, particul
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Sep 17, 2010
Blake
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 15, 2010
Sue
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Title: Half Magic
Author: Edward Eager
Genre: Yough Adult
Challenges: 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, The Naming Convention Challenge, Book Around the States Challenge, Read and Review Challenge 2010, 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge, 100 + Reading Challenge, Young Adult Reading Challenge, YA Through the Decades, Audio Book Challenge 2010, Pages Read 2010, A to Z challenge, 1001 Childrens book Before I Grow Up
Rating: 4/5
No. of Pages: Audi More...
Author: Edward Eager
Genre: Yough Adult
Challenges: 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, The Naming Convention Challenge, Book Around the States Challenge, Read and Review Challenge 2010, 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge, 100 + Reading Challenge, Young Adult Reading Challenge, YA Through the Decades, Audio Book Challenge 2010, Pages Read 2010, A to Z challenge, 1001 Childrens book Before I Grow Up
Rating: 4/5
No. of Pages: Audi More...
Dec 29, 2011
Christopher
rated it:
This was a fun little book that May got for Christmas. Parts were a bit dated, as it was originally published in the 1950s and it is set some time in the 20s or so. The story is good at keeping in the perceptions of the child characters, but societal norms have changed. I found myself cringing at the descriptions of Achmed the Arab, or at the assumptions that the 3 sisters would defer to their brother because he is a boy, or that their mother just wants to be a stay-at-home mother (actually the
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Nov 23, 2011
Jackie "the Librarian"
rated it:
Five children find a silver medallion, and discover that it grants wishes - but only half-way! Hilarity ensues. My favorite part is when they idly wish the cat could talk. And then, it sort of CAN talk, in kitty fashion. Hee!
This is my favorite book by Eager, with lots of wit and humor. A classic of children's literature, but not in a stuffy way.
This is my favorite book by Eager, with lots of wit and humor. A classic of children's literature, but not in a stuffy way.
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Aug 15, 2010
M.
rated it:
The book has an interesting plot--set in the 1920's, a girl finds what she at first thinks is a nickel but which turns out to be an ancient magic talisman which grants wishes, but only halves of the wishes. For example, wishing that you are on a desert island puts you and whoever is with you in the Sahara Desert. The girl and her siblings have lots of adventures, some unintended, as they figure out how to use the talisman. A subplot involves the children's widowed mother and a possible stepfa
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Apr 17, 2008
Marianne
rated it:
Half Magic is a story about some kids who are having a very boring summer. That changes when they find a strange coin that gives you wishes you ask for. But soon they discover it gives them half only half what they ask for. So they have to ask for two x what they want. A great book to read any day!
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Aug 22, 2009
Joanna
rated it:
The four children's stodgy summer was saved when Jane found a nickel-like charm by the sidewalk. Ever since then, anyone who made a wish, when the charm is in physical contact, the wish would come true. However, the wish only comes in half. Like when Mark wished that they were in a desert island, sure enough, he and his sisters were in a desert, but no island. Soon, the children went on adventures, that involved traveling back in time, fixing a talking cat and changing identity.
I lik More...
I lik More...
May 27, 2010
Relyn
rated it:
This year's class was the fourth I've read Half Magic to. It's a hit every single time. Generally it takes a full chapter and some assistance for the kids to be able to understand the old-fashioned language and references, but when they do, they are hooked. Half Magic is a terrific book to teach children that a book doesn't have to be brand new to be really good. It's a fantastic book for teaching them that just because you have to work at a story, doesn't mean you should give up on it. Anot
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Jul 20, 2009
Sophie
rated it:
This was one of my favorite childhood books. I read this in possibly Third or Fourth Grade and I still remember it fondly. Since then, I've read it to my children, who loved it as much as I do.
Looking back, I think this book along with Wizard of Oz started my fascination with fantasy fiction. It explains my love of urban fantasy/paranormal romance today. But, it is a childrens book. With sweet characters and a great little plot that actually uses math!! Thus, the Half potion of Half More...
Looking back, I think this book along with Wizard of Oz started my fascination with fantasy fiction. It explains my love of urban fantasy/paranormal romance today. But, it is a childrens book. With sweet characters and a great little plot that actually uses math!! Thus, the Half potion of Half More...
Jan 28, 2010
Holly
rated it:
this book was written in 1954 so don't get your panties in a wad when the mom wants to quit her job and be a stay home mom. I gather this bothers some pople from reading the other reviews. My goodness you would think she wants to stay home and bar-b-q small children and torture animals. I am an evil stay home mother myself! This is a delightful children's book full of midadventure. Four siblings are facing a long boring summer when they find a magical wishing coin- only the coin grants 1/2 of yo
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Jan 07, 2010
Sherry
rated it:
"Half Magic" is a wonderful tale of children's whimsy! A found magic charm brings time and space travel, and the granting of wishes, to four young siblings. The author owes his debt of gratitute to E. Nesbit, he says, yet I also see an indebtedness to Pamela L. Travers' Mary Poppins series. Related to Poppins, I see "Half Magic" as a much improved imagination of children's fantasies. Additionally, the children's sibling squabbles ring true, and there are no rather nasty,
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May 10, 2010
Courtney
rated it:
I think that if I had sat down 60 years ago to write a book for bright & curious children 9and if I were American) it would have looked a lot like 'Half Magic'.
A somewhat slight, but sparkling, story of 4 children (with the pre-requisite absent parental figures and replacement disagreeable minder)who stumble onto a magical token that grants their wishes - but only half-way. Inevitably, my favourite scene was a return to Arthurian England and the discovery that Lancelot was a bit of a More...
A somewhat slight, but sparkling, story of 4 children (with the pre-requisite absent parental figures and replacement disagreeable minder)who stumble onto a magical token that grants their wishes - but only half-way. Inevitably, my favourite scene was a return to Arthurian England and the discovery that Lancelot was a bit of a More...
Mar 03, 2010
Ines
rated it:
Laugh all you want, but children's books is where it's at. They, my oldest friends, are the ones that continue to resonate within me to this day. I can re-read them now and still feel that slight tug of excitement in my chest, that urge to quickly turn the page. I don't care how old I am, I'll feel the same way when I'm 40, 70, 100.
This particular installment of Eager's series is what started me on the idea that, really, magic is just around the corner.
One hot summer's day, More...
This particular installment of Eager's series is what started me on the idea that, really, magic is just around the corner.
One hot summer's day, More...
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Oct 03, 2010
Denae
rated it:
I might have liked it more if I were younger. Maybe. As it was, the plots were resolved easily, and there wasn't enough trouble with the magic. Rather, the children figured out how to use the charm within a few pages and were able to get anything they wanted. It was funny, at times, and was well set in a nice little city of a few decades ago. I just didn't like the jumbled ending a whole lot, with the mother thinking she was going crazy and stuff.
I also thought the children acted...to More...
I also thought the children acted...to More...
May 19, 2009
Heather
rated it:
We enjoyed this books magic. It is about 4 children who find a magic coin & learn how to make wise wishes as it only grants half of their wish. This book also allowed for much open ended discussion on what we would wish for, and how we would word it to be granted our full wish. My almost 5 yo ds loved the magic treehouse & magic school bus series & this was a nice match & we are looking forward to the next books in the series.
My son can be sensitive at times but I found the humor in More...
My son can be sensitive at times but I found the humor in More...
Apr 14, 2009
Bonnie
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Mar 18, 2011
Cball
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Audio version. How did I miss this one as a kid? First published in the 1950's, this story of 4 siblings withstands the test of time. The 4 kids find a magic coin that gives them a wish. But only 1/2 of it. It was fun to follow the adventures of the children as they figure out how to use the coin and how they test the coin with unintended consequences.
Told in present day 1950's, it was an excellent introduction to the "back seat listeners" of how much has changed in a me More...
Told in present day 1950's, it was an excellent introduction to the "back seat listeners" of how much has changed in a me More...
Oct 21, 2010
Kaarin
rated it:
How have I never read this before?!? I've heard the title bounced around as a favorite among my friends with similar reading tastes for years, but I just never quite got around to reading it. But boy! am I glad I did! It is a fun(ny) story about some kids who find a charm that grants wishes, only by half, and how they find what they really are looking for.
Even though this book takes place in Toledo, Ohio, I kept thinking the kids lived in England. In my literary experience, the things tha More...
Even though this book takes place in Toledo, Ohio, I kept thinking the kids lived in England. In my literary experience, the things tha More...
Jan 02, 2011
Paco
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