Amazon.com: Magic or Not? (9780152020811): Edward Eager, N. M. Bodecker: Books

Review

When Laura and her twin brother James move to Silvermine, Connecticut, they are quickly informed of the magic propensities of their garden well by pixyish Lydia. The three children become involved in a series of adventures which include saving an old woman from being committed, helping a spoilt rich boy make friends, and rescuing a missing baby heir. For all of which the grownup neighbors are grateful and in their gratitude help the well to grant the children their wishes. Edward Eager, once again, concocts a charming story in which fantasy and fact live quite compatibly side by side and in which magic ultimately is defined as the goodness of the heart. (Kirkus Reviews ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Edward Eager was a playwright and lyricist who turned his hand to children's books after reading the stories of the great British fantasist E. Nesbit. His seven books remain among the most popular children's fantasies ever written by an American.

N. M. Bodecker, an illustrator and author of children's books, died of cancer of the colon Feb. 1 at his home in Hancock, N.H. He was 66 years old.

For many years Mr. Bodecker's illustrations appeared in Harper's magazine, as well as The Saturday Evening Post, Esquire and Holiday.

He also illustrated books for adults and children's books by other authors, but he was best known for the many children's books that he wrote and illustrated himself. Awards for Poetry.

Niels Mogens Bodecker was born and educated in Copenhagen. He emigrated to the United States after World War II and lived for 20 years in New York City and Westport, Conn., before moving to Hancock in 1972.

He is survived by three sons, Alexander, of Portland, Ore., Torsten, of San Francisco, and Niels, of Hancock.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magic or not, this book is enchanting, October 30, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Magic or Not? (Odyssey Classic) (Paperback)

I love all of Eager's books. "Magic or Not" and "The Well Wishers" differ from his other five books in that the magic is less overt. It might be magic, it might be imagination, or ???? This book introduces readers to the joys that a love of the past can offer. The mystery centers on an abandoned house--who lived there? Why did they leave? The children are realistic, and you'll want to eat Lady Baltimore cake after reading this book. I read it at 8 and checked it out again and again just so I could keep it on my bookshelf. I'm happy today to own that original hardcover (the same one I checked out 30 years ago) as well as one of the newer paperback editions. The illustrations are great too.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well said ,well magic..., July 12, 2001

julip510 (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magic or Not? (Paperback)

In this book Mr. Eager introduces us to James, Laura, Kip, Lydia, Deborah and Gordy....not to mention the magic of the wishing well. In this book James and Laura have just moved to the country from New York. They are both excited about this move. A move to the country, for them, signals the beginning of adventure. They find adventure, too, when Lydia suggests to Laura to make a wish upon the well in hers' and James' new backyard. Some of the good deed adventures in this book are exciting, some are not; however, interesting insight is offered into each character-which will come in handy when reading "The Well Wishers", the sequel.

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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant but a little pale, October 7, 2005

grrlpup (Portland, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magic or Not? (Paperback)

When the characters of a book spend the whole thing wondering if what's been going on is real magic or not, it' safe to assume the magic is not dramatic and thunderous.

That's how it is in this book. A group of children go around the countryside together, getting to know the people in the village, and doing good deeds that don't always turn out as they'd planned. Watching the children become fast friends, though one of them is thorny and another is goofy and a bit of a reject, is the best part of the book. The plot isn't predictable, but its surprises are mild.

I agree that Half Magic and Magic By the Lake, by the same author, pack more punch. But this one's nice for filling in if you've read those and want another Edward Eager fix, or if you just want to while away a summer day.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Magic Or Not, Its Magical
This book and its sequel The Well Wishers has Edward Eager with another set of children: Laura, James, and Deborah who have just moved to the country, and Kip and Lydia, their... Read more

Published on January 11, 2009 by John D. Cofield