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Half Magic by Edward Eager
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Half Magic (original 1954; edition 1999)

by Edward Eager (Author)

Series: Tales of Magic (1)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
4,445902,800 (3.99)113
Classic Literature. Fantasy. Juvenile Fiction. Juvenile Literature. It all begins with a strange coin on a sun-warmed sidewalk. Jane finds the coin, and because she and her siblings are having the worst, most dreadfully boring summer ever, she idly wishes something exciting would happen. And something does: Her wish is granted. Or not quite. Only half of her wish comes true. It turns out the coin grants wishes—but only by half, so that you must wish for twice as much as you want. 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?… (more)
Member:HavenWood
Title:Half Magic
Authors:Edward Eager (Author)
Info:Sandpiper (1999), Edition: First, 208 pages
Collections:Your library
Rating:
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Half Magic by Edward Eager (1954)

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» See also 113 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 90 (next | show all)
Four children wish on a Half Magic coin that gets their mother Alison half-way home, rescued by Mr Smith. Mark's wish zaps them to a desert without island, where half-talking cat Carrie gabbles to a camel. Romantic Katherine battles Launcelot. Eldest Jane rejects siblings for another family. Stubborn youngest, Martha, causes a riot downtown. ( )
  LynneQuan | Dec 12, 2024 |
A good read to your sick kid book. Spent the last couple of days reading this aloud to my son. It isn’t a five, but is a good children’s book that is light and fun. All the characteristics are here, humor, family love, growth of characters, and even a wedding.
1 vote Jesslaw | Jul 23, 2024 |
Childhood read
  caedocyon | Feb 23, 2024 |
This book is charming and funny and a delightful adventure. I enjoyed the ups and downs of the characters and their wacky adventures. ( )
  mslibrarynerd | Jan 13, 2024 |
I wanted to like this, but I think time has not been kind to it. The Arab character made me cringe, as did the mother quitting her job and other bits of sexism. It does pretty well with the subject of stepfathers ("Uncle Huge" was maybe the funniest thing in the book besides the half-talking cat) and I can totally see how this would be beloved by earlier generations, but I just didn't enjoy it that much. I very nearly quit 3/4 of the way through.

On the other hand, there is something to be said for little children who talk like the Queen of England. ( )
  LibrarianDest | Jan 3, 2024 |
Showing 1-5 of 90 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (4 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Edward Eagerprimary authorall editionscalculated
Bodecker, N.M.Illustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Quentin BlakeCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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It began one day in summer about thirty years ago, and it happened to four children.
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Quotations
"It's that nickel I found, only it isn't a nickel! It's a magic charm and it does things by halves! So far we've each go half of what we wished for - all we have to do from now on is ask for twice as much as we really want! You see?"
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Classic Literature. Fantasy. Juvenile Fiction. Juvenile Literature. It all begins with a strange coin on a sun-warmed sidewalk. Jane finds the coin, and because she and her siblings are having the worst, most dreadfully boring summer ever, she idly wishes something exciting would happen. And something does: Her wish is granted. Or not quite. Only half of her wish comes true. It turns out the coin grants wishes—but only by half, so that you must wish for twice as much as you want. 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?

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Book description
Four young children living with their single mother in the 1920s discover a magic coin that grants exactly half of whatever they wish for.
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