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. Another book that really gets children to look past the cover and the best seller list is By the Great Horn Spoon by Sid Fleischman. Both of these books, though, have greater success as a read aloud.