The first in a series, Half Magic by Edward Eager proves a fascinating novel about a family of four kids: Jane, Martha, Katherine, and Mark. Their mom almost always stays out of the house, working on a newspaper job and only coming home at night. As a result, the kids have a lot of free time. However, because the family has little money, they can never go on fun vacations like the other kids can. Thus, they spend their days reading, playing card games, and wishing that something magical could happen to them.
One day, while Jane walks to her neighbor’s house with her siblings, she finds a nickel on the sidewalk. She picks it up and adds it to the rest of her allowance, assuming that she had found a normal nickel. However, upon closer inspection, she finds that her nickel has the markings of a magical talisman. Soon after this, Jane realizes that this strange coin can grant wishes. She becomes wildly excited at this prospect, thinking that “she held in her hand the talisman that was going to turn this summer into a time of wild adventure and delight for all of [the children]” (Eager 27). Unfortunately, the nickel can only grant half of a wish at a time, so people have to use it carefully and precisely. After sharing this secret with the other kids, the siblings decide that they won’t tell any adults about this, and they would each take turns making the wishes.
The siblings go on experiments and misadventures, going to a desert and even back in time, to the age of knights. However, when Martha makes a wish that causes the whole town to go into a panic, the siblings have to figure out how to undo it. Not only that, but the siblings must figure out how to wish for their happiness before the magic in the coin runs out.
Rating: ★★★★★
Half Magic proves a fantastic tale about magic, family togetherness, and learning. The reader can relate
to the wishes of the characters, as well as the characters themselves. This stays a highly humorous and
entertaining book, and it’s unique premise creates a magical story. Undoubtedly, the most interesting part
of the book proves as the part in which the four children travel backwards in time to visit Sir Launcelot.
The author’s use of language makes the book all the more enjoyable, and the protagonists have likable
personalities. Fans of fantasy books will certainly love this novel.
