book data
415 ratings,
4.19
average rating, 31 reviews
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published
March 31st 1999
(first published 1956)
by Odyssey Classics
binding
Paperback, 208 pages
isbn
015202073X
(isbn13: 9780152020736)
description
Roger, Anne, Eliza, and Jack find a magic way to go back into the time of Robin Hood, Rebecca, and Ivanhoe.
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avg 4.19
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in April, 2009
This is my second Eager book. This author is really a kick! He even puts a tongue-in-cheek reference to a Keats poem ("La belle dame sans merci") in one of his descriptions of a knight in the book. And then there's the kooky and completely delightful hodge-podge story itself, which includes a re-telling of the Ivanhoe story in a way that has to delight fans of Sir Walter Scott (even the purists!) Where else would you find Ivanhoe dumping the annoying Rowena and meeting up again wit...more
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Read in March, 2009
Ann and Roger must stay with their cousins in Baltimore for the summer while their father is in the hospital. They, along with their cousins Eliza and Jack, discover that the toy castle in Roger's bedroom not only appears to be a portal to another place and time, but that in that place, the children have substantial influence and responsibility. They find it's not easy to be heroes, but that with pluck and perserverance, they can change circumstances and situations for the better. We enjoyed ...more
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Read in November, 2008
A mid 20th century children's classic. I read this because it was there. At the time I was making my way through The English Patient; oh wait I am still making my way through The English Patient!
Anyhow, any book that fell in my path that was not The English Patient had a good chance of being read. This one my son had left in my room. So I read it because it wasn't The English Patient!
Really a delightful and whimsical story. I appreciated the nod to the greatest of childr...more
Anyhow, any book that fell in my path that was not The English Patient had a good chance of being read. This one my son had left in my room. So I read it because it wasn't The English Patient!
Really a delightful and whimsical story. I appreciated the nod to the greatest of childr...more
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Read in January, 1968
recommends it for:
The Young Of All Ages
This is probably Edward Eager's best-known book, and in most respects is probably his finest work. Once again, four children find magic in the most improbable place; in this case, a set of toy figures from the middle ages. It's a lovely fantasy; shrinking down to miniature size at night and sneaking into a playroom, to enter a medieval world of castles and knights. The illustrations in this book, and all others by Edward Eager, were by the wonderful N.M. Bodecker. They really add to the stories,...more
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This is about 4 different kids than half magic and magic by the lake. The names will sound sort of familiar. You read about them in Magic by the Lake. This time a boy has a toy soilder that takes them in magic adventures with knights, robin hood and Prince John.
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Read in April, 2009
recommends it for:
People who love juvenile fantasy
I just read this one recently, but when D started reading me "The Castle in the Attic", I couldn't help remarking on the similarities between the plots. However, Edward Eager did it first and (I think we can both agree) better. Four cousins visiting for the summer become involved in a magical adventure centered around and marvelous toy castle and a mysterious old toy soldier. They learn that, despite their differences in age, gender, and interests, they can all learn to get along, and ...more
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The first time I read this was to my daughter a couple years back. She liked the series a great deal. I would say its definitely written for kids, and appropriate for any age.
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A fun ride through the magical misadventures of 4 children. Read Sir Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe" first though; the events in the book will make a lot more sense that way.
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Read in December, 2008
I liked this... but I wish I would have read the other books first. It's a clever book, but nothing spectacular.
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Read in June, 2009
I liked this book a little better than the previous one in the series, "Magic by the Lake."
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recommends it for:
children and those who enjoy pondering "what if..."
Imagine for a moment you are a child again and spend a most happy day playing with an elaborate castle and knights set with your siblings and cousins. Now imagine that later you live among them... This book explores this delicious fantasy. It also goes into what would happen if the knights of the round table lived in a modern city...
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Edward Eager's books are classics, and some of my very favorites from childhood. The illustrations by N.M. Bodeker were a huge influence on me, and I loved the stories (you think Harry Potter is original? Hardly). These are excellent books, published mid-century, that build on a foundation laid decades earlier by masters like E. Nesbit.
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Read in August, 2007
Not my favorite kind of book - I'm not much of a knights and castles and battles kind of gal - but a good read-alike for Indian in the Cupboard since the little toy knights come to life. There's a lot of "old English"/"Medieval" type conversation, so may be a better read aloud - but worth knowing about.
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
kids
Edward Eager is a great author to give to your kids. I'd put his books somewhere around The Chronicles of Narnia range. The magic is light and humorous, and while the children in the book are human and make mistakes, they learn from them as well. Knight's Castle is as good as all the others.
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I can still remember my friend Kenye telling me about the Edward Eager books when we were in the 3rd or 4th grade. They are very smart and funny and timeless in their own way. I heartily recommend them to anyone who appreciates good YA fiction.
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