Edward Eager's hilarious and heartwarming Half Magic has been working wizardry on young readers for fifty years. To celebrate the golden anniversary of this enduringly popular story, a deluxe edition of the book has been created. It features the original jacket and a new introduction by Jack Gantos, the award-winning author of Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
<DIV>"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." --The New York Times Book Review
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About the Author
EDWARD EAGER (1911-1964) worked primarily as a playwright and lyricist. It wasn't until 1951, while searching for books to read to his young son, that he began writing children's stories.
JACK GANTOS is a National Book Award finalist, the recipient of a Newbery Honor and a Printz Honor, and the bestselling author of Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, Joey Pigza Loses Control, the Rotten Ralph series, and Hole in My Life, as well as a dozen other widely acclaimed books of fiction for young readers. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts.
JACK GANTOS is a National Book Award finalist, the recipient of a Newbery Honor and a Printz Honor, and the bestselling author of Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, Joey Pigza Loses Control, the Rotten Ralph series, and Hole in My Life, as well as a dozen other widely acclaimed books of fiction for young readers. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Siblings Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha don't suspect anything out of the ordinary when Jane finds a nickel on the sidewalk and takes it home. After all, money is money. However, Jane soon realizes that the nickel isn't really a nickel, but rather a strange coin. A magical coin. For when Jane, who along with her brother and sisters, is having the most boring summer ever makes a wish, half of it is granted. It is soon found out that the mysterious coin grants wishes, but only by halves, so you have to wish for twice as much as you really want. While many of the wishes turn out just fine, some of them have caused nothing but trouble, in both the children's lives, as well as the lives of many people in present time and history, and it's the fault of the strange coin itself.
Edward Eager has created an enjoyable fantasy novel that is sure to please the middle readers both of today, and yesterday. Filled with four characters who all hold their own quirks, and possess sassy tongues, as well as vivid imaginations, who will easily be loved by readers young and old. And let's not forget the enchanting green and white illustrations littered throughout the novel, that will capture the imaginations of all. HALF-MAGIC is an absolute must have!
Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper
Edward Eager has created an enjoyable fantasy novel that is sure to please the middle readers both of today, and yesterday. Filled with four characters who all hold their own quirks, and possess sassy tongues, as well as vivid imaginations, who will easily be loved by readers young and old. And let's not forget the enchanting green and white illustrations littered throughout the novel, that will capture the imaginations of all. HALF-MAGIC is an absolute must have!
Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Jill Malter
Format:Hardcover
These days, when so many of us are reading the Harry Potter books, it may be good to remember some of the more classic fantasy tales of a couple of generations ago. Yes, one could try "Peter Pan" and all the Oz books, but there were a bunch of other books such as this one which I think were excellent as well.
I think that "Half Magic" is about right for kids around eight or so. The language is about right for children (the toughest line for a really young reader might be "whence do you hail?"). And it is simply a charming little book. We get to read about a talking cat, visits to faraway places, and maybe best of all, a person who is not exactly all there.
I highly recommend this book. Of course, it's supposed to be only for kids. We grownups are supposed to be way past reading this sort of thing. And if we did read it, we probably wouldn't admit it. But some kids will still recommend this book to their grandmothers, and I think they're right to do so.
I think that "Half Magic" is about right for kids around eight or so. The language is about right for children (the toughest line for a really young reader might be "whence do you hail?"). And it is simply a charming little book. We get to read about a talking cat, visits to faraway places, and maybe best of all, a person who is not exactly all there.
I highly recommend this book. Of course, it's supposed to be only for kids. We grownups are supposed to be way past reading this sort of thing. And if we did read it, we probably wouldn't admit it. But some kids will still recommend this book to their grandmothers, and I think they're right to do so.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I first read "Half Magic" in elementary school and I have read it 4 or 5 times, since. It is a funny, exciting, literate, book that is good for all ages. Toddlers will miss a lot of what it has to say, but get the adventure.
Four children find a magic charm that grants wishes by halves. Fun and adventure happens when they use the charm and when they forget its secret. Their lives and the lives of those they love are made much better. When the book is finished, the reader smiles and wishes there were more. There are more books in the series, but this one is the best.
Four children find a magic charm that grants wishes by halves. Fun and adventure happens when they use the charm and when they forget its secret. Their lives and the lives of those they love are made much better. When the book is finished, the reader smiles and wishes there were more. There are more books in the series, but this one is the best.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reliving one's childhood
I remember this book as being my favorite as a child. I remember thinking how wonderful it would be to have such magical powers and great adventures. Read more
Published 16 months ago by SuzieWaz
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Favorite Childhood Book
This has been in my memory as my favorite book from childhood and I'm now 65! I re-read it so many times until I had a visitor from Mexico and I wanted to share something really... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Laurie Macdonald
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for reading aloud
We read this book together, and it is very very funny. Reading it out loud lets you have fun with the half-talking cat -- who comes close to saying insulting words. Read more
Published on September 7, 2010 by M. Heiss
5.0 out of 5 stars
Watch out for sellers!
This is a wonderful book from my childhood. The edition I purchased was supposed to be the 50th Anniversary edition and was to be a gift for my greatgrandson. Read more
Published on February 3, 2010 by W. Marie Werth
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the all-time GREATS!
Half-Magic with the lovely cover from the original is a find. You SHOULD buy this book in hard-back, because you'll read it over. Read more
Published on December 19, 2009 by Katherine G. Wilkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
A cherished childhood read
The most treasured book from my childhood. Reading this at age 7 started me on a lifelong journey with science fiction and fantasy. Read more
Published on December 15, 2008 by Barbara Jordan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yeah, I agree, Harry who?
I first read this book as a small child. I am now in my 50's, and while there have been so many wonderful books created for children (including the excellent Potter series), I... Read more
Published on September 19, 2008 by Warmgoy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can't recommend this strongly enough!
I'm 35 now and have had the original 50's version of this book since the third grade--it's been one of my most treasured possessions ever since. Read more
Published on August 10, 2008 by Bill Loguidice
5.0 out of 5 stars
Half Magic Is ALL Magic
I first read Half Magic when I was about seven years old. It was the first book I read "all by myself" and I was thunderstruck. Read more
Published on May 3, 2008 by David McElvenney
5.0 out of 5 stars
Need to get ONE more thing straight...
Sorry. I'm the kid who wote the other review on November 29th, 2006. This book does not take place in London. It takes place in America in 1924, in Toledo, Ohio. Read more
Published on November 29, 2006
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