Customer Reviews

Seven-Day Magic (A Voyager/HBJ Book)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

John, Susan, Barnaby (never Barney!), Abbie and Fredericka just LOVE books! Every Saturday is a self-proclaimed “Book Day” and they head to the local library to check out exciting books. As the story opens, they are all sitting in the local library discussing their desire to find a magic book. When it is time to check out their books, Susan grabs a battered red leather-bound book from the shelf, almost as an after-thought. As the librarian checks out the books, she stamps the red book, eyes the children curiously, and states, “THIS is a 7 Day book.” With that the adventures begin. In this book, Mr. Eager pays homage to the great children’s author Edith Nesbit and even mentions the Oz books…among many other popular and historical literary references. The magic in this book isn’t the “do-gooder” magic used as a basis for his books “Magic or Not?” and “The Well-Wishers” …in fact, this book even has a dragon! A fine book in the tradition of magic themed books for children and one of Eager’s better works.

I first read this book over 35 years ago and to this day I can remember the joy I got from it. The magic of this and other books by Edward Eager is the way he weaves the adventures of magic into the lives of ordinary children. Seven Day Magic is a must-read for any child who has an imagination (what child doesn't, is what I want to know!). As you travel through this story with Susan, John, Barnaby, Abbie, and Fredericka you find yourself hoping the next book you check out from the library has the same magical formula as the one they find. This is a fun book to read with your parents (or with your kids). Enjoy!

By "meta-fantasy", i mean that this is a fantasy about fantasy -- even referencing the author's own fiction *as* fiction.

And it is hilarious. As soon as Susan begins reading aloud from the seven-day book that she checked out of the library on a whim... nd reads the opening paragraphs of the book that the reader is already holding in his hands, we know we're in for a strange ride, indeed, even for Edward Eager, who gave us "Half Magic" (in which there is a magic charm which grants one-half of what one wishes; a wish to visit a desert island puts one in the Sahara -- "Desert, yes -- island, no.") and "The Time Garden" (in which one set of magically-adventuring children rescue another set from another of his books from cannibals).

So first read the "Half Magic" books (currently available as a boxed set), then grab this one and fasten your seat belts, keep arms and hands inside the car at all times, and enjoy the ride.

Seven-Day

Magic

Book Review

Edward Eager

Andrew

Barnaby, Abbie, Fredericka, John, and Susan LOVE books! Every Saturday they go to the library and take out some. When the story starts, they are sitting in the library. "The best kind of book is a magic book," said Barnaby. "Naturally," said John. "The best kind of magic book," said Barnaby, "is when it's about ordinary people like us, and then something happens and it's magic." "Like when you find a nickel, but it isn't at all a nickel, it's a half-magic talisman," said Susan. "Or you're playing and someone asks you `Is this the road to Butterfield?'" said Abbie. "Only it isn't, it's the road to Oz!" shrilled Fredericka. Then, just as they're checking out, Susan grabbed an interesting-looking red book. The Librarian looked at her strangely, but just said, "That's a seven-day book." On the way home, Susan read aloud from her book. "'The best kind of book is a magic book,' said Barnaby. `Naturally,' said John. `The best kind of magic book,'"...... Her voice trailed off. The grand adventure had begun. Through this great work of literature, Edward Eager expresses comedy, drama, novelty, and fun! The red book was magic and if somebody picked it up it would turn into whatever kind of book they liked best. Since John, Susan, Barnaby and Fredericka wanted a magic book, it turned into one that they could wish upon, and wrote down whatever they did. A dragon captures Fredericka. They visit what happened after the book Half Magic ended. John and Susan's Grandmother accidentally wishes herself to be in her "prime," and they find themselves in an old schoolhouse fifty years ago. Then they go to Fredericka, Barnaby and Abbie's father's T.V. Studio, and make him famous singing "Chickadee Tidbits." Then, when they refuse to return the book to the library, the book makes them argue. Barnaby finds himself staring into a magic pool, hypnotized with the horribleness of his worst deeds. Can the children save him? You should definitely read this five star book to find out!!!

I really enjoyed reading Seven-Day Magic! I thought that it's neat how it flashes into other books, (even prehistoric Oz)! This book is extremely well written, and it can make you laugh, (or bite your fingernails). One of the best parts is the way that Mrs. Funkhouser defeats the dragon! The magic book turns into a cook book, and tells her to "use salt to put out fire" and to "use household ammonia to heal scratches." The dragon's fire and teeth went away. The dragon said, "Hey, St. George would have been more dignified!" This is one of my favorite books, and you'll like it too!

I absolutley loved this book! Five children named John, Susan, Barnaby, Abby and Frederika find a book at the library that combines their real lives with their favorite books. My favorite chapter is, of course, "Losing It," in which the children meet the little girl and baby from "Half Magic"! They have their way with the magic and thwart it, and the magic has its way and thwarts them, just like in any good Eager book. Needless to say, next to Half Magic, I think this is Edward Eager's BEST book. Shame he didn't live long enough to write a sequel to this one, too.

seven day-magic is an amazingly magical book. It is about 5 children(Abbie,john,Susan,Barnaby,and Fredricka) who finds a magic book that changes their lives forever. Everyone gets a wish,even granny! Sometimes they don't get what they wanted and their wish turns into a disaster!! They can only have the book for 7 days. the book was the best thing that ever happened to them,so on the seventh day they are sad to take the book back. This would be a great book for anyone that likes magic. Anyone at any age can read this book. Almost anyone can relate to any of the characters! I definitely suggest this book!!

As a teenager reading this book really helped me get into my imagination. I have always been a firm believer in magic and this book just went right along with my belief. Follow Barnaby, John, Abbie, Susan, and Fredricka as the step into the world of Fairy tails. When Susan finds an old worn out red book at the library she can't wait to read it. As she opens it to read aloud to her friends, she finds herself reading about herself. This is very strange if you ask me. Susan has obviously come across a magic book, and sadly they may only use it for seven days on account that it is a library book, and they all have there due dates. As the children get wound up in there adventure, the reader begins to wonder. Could the magic get the better of the children? Could it lead to disaster...or worse, the distruction of their friendship. Please read this book to find out. It is wonderful and great. A great read aloud to children. Also try The Well Wishers, and Half Magic, both by Mr. Eager and both equal to the greatness of 7 Day Magic. I hope you enjoy this wonderful book.

As always, Edward Eager did it again. Every book of his is just plain magical, and I zoom through them faster than the blink of an eye. I love reading and all books whatsoever, and fantasy stories especially appeal to me. John, Susan, Abbie, Barnaby and Fredericka are beautifully portrayed and every word will keep you wishing for more. I love writing stories along with reading, and I hope to someday have his skills!

Oh, what all of us wouldn't give for that magical red book.

I love all Roald Dahl books, too, and since all of his books were illustrated by Quentin Blake, it was delightful to see his artwork on the cover of this edition.

Thanks so much to everyone who contributes to all of these fantastic books being published -- I appreciate every one of you!

Livi

I LOVED this book. It had all the things a reader could want to read about (fantasy, magic, adventure)I think that no part of this story is dull.

I found this book to be incredibly entertaining. It shows the value of reading books in a fun and interesting way. I have reread this book many times and each time I find it delightful.