The Well-Wishers (Odyssey Classic) [Paperback]

Edward Eager (Author), N.M. Bodecker (Illustrator), N. M. Bodecker (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Odyssey Classic

Six children relate their experiences with an unpredictable old wishing well that involves them in some magical adventures during an eventful autumn.

Editorial Reviews

Review

First published in 1960, this latest reissue of one of Edward Eager's "magic" novels holds its own. Long autumn days are made more interesting when six friends discover the magical properties of an old abandoned well. Each of the kids is involved in a particular adventure and each relates his/her own story. James finds a home for a lonely orphan and brightens a teacher's life, old Mr. Appledore and Madame Salvini find love in the apple orchard, Dicky LeBaron gradually changes from thug to hero, and James, who rescues a damsel in distress, gets more than he bargained for. With subtle humor and insight into human behavior as the strong points, readers will quickly realize that all of the magic is not in the well. References to a hi-fi, Elvis, and a Thunderbird date the story as do the illustrations of kids in 60's style clothing. Quentin Blake's cover art may have been a better choice throughout the book. The awkward handling of the arrival of the first black family in the neighborhood confirms the author's discomfort with the topic. Flaws aside, this is a pleasant, nostalgic read that still has the magic to delight.  (Children's Literature ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

N. M Bodecker has illustrated many childrens books written by Edward Eager such as "Time Garden", "Seven Day Magic", "Magic by the Lake", and many more.

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books (J) (September 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152949941
• ISBN-13: 978-0152949945
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,787,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as Part I, August 27, 2004

By 

Kevin Killian (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Well-Wishers (Paperback)

Anemic sequel to the earlier and superior MAGIC OR NOT? The same children reappear, Kip, Lydia, Laura, Gordy in an upscale suburban neighborhood something like Scarsdale, NY or Greenwich, CT. Children love this book with its search for magical wishing wells, as well as trying to figure out Eager's clever puzzle--are the things that happen to them the result of their wishes, or is it all just a coincidence? Adults will like the spectacle of the different John Cheever-ish neighbors being lampooned in a variety of smirky ways. One added bonus is that, his character Madame Salvatini, the retired opera singer, reminisces of the days when she was young and she was just "plain Maggie Smith." This book was written well before Maggie Smith became an international star. "No one gave a hoot about me when I was plain Maggie Smith; but they drank champagne out of Madame Salvatini's slipper!"

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maybe Its Not Really Magic, But Its Still Magical, January 11, 2009

By 

John D. Cofield - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Well-Wishers (Paperback)

This is Edward Eager's sequel to Magic Or Not. In The Well Wishers Laura, James, Deborah, Lydia, and Kip are joined by Gordy, a misfit who, unusually for Edward Eager, isn't particularly intelligent and definitely hates to read. Eager continues the equivocation over whether the magic is real or not that he started in Magic Or Not, making this book, like its predecessor, a bit less sparkling than Eager's other works. Nevertheless, there are many fine features to The Well Wishers. Each child gets a chapter to express his or her own point of view on the adventures, and Eager's trademark multitudinous literary and historical references continue. Additionally, there is some gentle but thought provoking commentary on the world of the late 1950s and the early 1960s which might elude many of the children who read it, but will appeal to discerning adults looking for quality reading for the young. And, like all of Eager's works, those adults who come back to them after first reading them as children will recognize with pleasure that they are as funny and fresh as we remember them.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, August 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Well-Wishers (Paperback)

This is a great book about magic! Five kids discover a magic wishing well and use it for the greater good-sort of. Edward Eager's books are all immensely enjoyable, much like Harry Potter or E. Nesbit! Wonderful and I recommend all his books!