Synopses & Reviews
It all begins with a strange coin on a sun-warmed sidewalk.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Jane finds the coin, and becasue she and her sblings are having the worst, most dreadfully boring summer ever, she idly wishes something exciting would happen.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; And something does: Her wish is granted.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; Or not quite. Only half of her wish comes true.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; It turns out the coin grants wishesandmdash;but only by half, so that you must wish for twice as much as you want.
and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; 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?
Review
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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.andrdquo;and#160; andmdash;
The New York Times Book Review * andquot;Ingenious make-believe. . . . Satisfying variety, surprise, and laughter. . . . A book children will want to read at one sitting.andquot;and#160; andmdash;Library Journal, starred review
Synopsis
Since Half Magic first hit bookshelves in 1954, Edward Eager's tales of magic have become beloved classics. Now four cherished stories by Edward Eager about vacationing cousins who stumble into magical doings and whimsical adventures are available in updated hardcover and paperback formats. The original lively illustrations by N. M. Bodecker have been retained, but eye-catching new cover art by Kate Greenaway Medalist Quentin Blake gives these classics a fresh, contemporary look for a whole new generation.
About the Author
Edward Eager (1911andndash;1964) worked primarily as a playwright and lyricist. It wasnand#39;t until 1951, while searching for books to read to his young son, Fritz, that he began writing childrenand#39;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 childrenand#39;s writer of all timeandmdash;andquot;so that any child who likes my books and doesnand#39;t know hers may be led back to the master of us all.andquot;
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Table of Contents
Contents
HOW IT BEGAN 3
WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR MOTHER 21
WHAT HAPPENED TO MARK 35
WHAT HAPPENED TO KATHARINE 68
WHAT HAPPENED TO MARTHA 109
WHAT HAPPENED TO JANE 139
HOW IT ENDED 177
HOW IT BEGAN AGAIN 206