Super Short Summary

Published in 1954, American author Edward Eager’s novel Half Magic is a classic in children’s fantasy literature. Illustrated by N. M. Bodecker, this novel is the first in a seven-book series dubbed The Tales of Magic. Set in 1920s Toledo, Ohio, Half Magic follows four siblings—Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha—who find a magic coin that grants half wishes. Their adventures span another country and a different time, but mostly land them in tricky situations in their own hometown. Told from a third-person omniscient point of view, the narrative highlights the themes of The Paradox of Wishing, The Need for Precise Language and Clear Thinking, and The Value of Rules and Structure. The story includes depictions of antisemitism, racial stereotypes, gender discrimination, and a scene of graphic violence.