Half Magic

By: Edward Eager

Narrated by: Words Take Wing (tm) Repertory Company

Beloved by children (and the parents lucky enough to share it with them) since it was first published in 1954, Half Magic is the uproarious tale of four siblings who discover a charm that grants exactly half of whatever they wish for - with results that are twice as predictable (and hilarious) as you might expect.

Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha manage to cope with an unexpected trip to the Sahara and nearly a disastrous trip to the time of King Arthur. But can these plucky and resourceful children deal with the changes magic is bringing to their tight-knit family?

Set in Ohio in the late 1920s, yet fresh and funny now as the day it was written. Half Magic weaves its spell anew in this full cast recording that will entrance newcomers as well as fans who have loved this wonderful book for decades.

©1999 Edward Eager (P)2008 Listening Library

we loved it.

it was our first time listening to this series and we are hooked! love it!

A

This audio book named ‘ half magic ‘ was sure very fantastic, and this is the review.

sweet story to introduce fractions

I'm homeschooling my two girls. I just previewed this for them and think it will be marvelous for introducing the concept of fractions in a fun way.

Timeless Adventure

This is a gem of a book, filled with adventure and a happy outcome. The characters are real. We have known or been them. I’d recommend it to anyone of any age who loves magic and adventure-and good writing. No sappy, contrived stories here.

Wonderfully entertaining!

Where does Half Magic rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is my 7 year old daughter's favorite audio book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Half Magic?

She loves the scenes where the cat "half speaks", the performers did a wonderful job with the characters!

What does Words Take Wing (tm) Repertory Company bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The performers really make this book come alive for my daughter (and me) I am hoping they will record more of Edward Eager's books but definitely will be on the lookout for more of these readers' books!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The story is one I remember enjoying as a child, so I was delighted to find such a fun audio version for my own daughter to enjoy. She has listened to this recording countless times. It's got moments of suspense, excitement, and humor. I find that it is just as engaging for me now as it was when I read it long ago.

Terrific

I with I had read this as a kid but I still brought it was delightful.

Love it!

I love this book so much and I like how they go back in time with a charm I will listen to this book a million times!

whopping good fun

Great book. Our favorite part is listening to the cat half talk. Is a hit with both my boy and girl. Recommended 5yo and up.

Oh, that magic!

We love this magic series so much. I wish the rest of the series was available on audible! Brilliant author. The story draws you in and so many family fun adventures. Magic and fun for everyone to listen to, no matter the age.

A fantastic window to the past

As a 21st century discoverer of Edith Nesbit and TH White, I am reminded that (Tolkien Lewis not withstanding) mid 20th century fantasy had to be packaged as a comedy (as the narrator says, “...old enough by now to know that no adult would credit a book that had magic in it”). Examples that prove this dictum include PL Travers, post 50s Disney, TV shows ("Bewitched") & the book "Princess Bride". Today's young listeners may need a debriefing about how older popular authors may express some cultural stereotypes and a trivia quiz about "when movies did not talk".