Tales of Magic 01 Half Magic

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

Quentin Blake’s charming art gets an updated look in this new edition of Edward Eager’s beloved classic, featuring the original interior illustrations by N. M. Bodecker.

* “Ingenious. . . . A book children will want to read at one sitting.” —School Library Journal, starred review

It all begins with a strange coin on a sun-warmed sidewalk. Jane finds it, and 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. And doubled wishes can 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?

About the Author

Edward Eager (1911–1964) worked primarily as a playwright and lyricist. It wasn't until 1951, while he was searching for books to read to his young son, Fritz, that he began writing children's stories. His classic Tales of Magic series started with the best-selling Half Magic, published in 1954.