Magic or Not?

These were my favorite books as a child. They are still fun - I am reading them out loud to my grandchildren!

If Only You Had A Wishing Well Magic or Not By Edward Eager When James, Laura and Deborah move into their new house on Silvermine Road, there are rumors that the well on the property is a dried up wishing-well. Along with new friends Kip, Lydia and Gordy, they secretly begin leaving notes in the well, hoping that their wishes will be granted. They soon find that if, in fact, the well is working, (and they aren't at all sure) it will only work for un-selfish wishes. Can it be a coincidence that they find the long lost heir, or that they stop the school from being torn down? At times, it seems that the very thing they wish for is exactly what they get. Will the magic work when they need it, or will they have to find their own solutions to their problems? Magic or Not is an adventure of children making friendships and helping others. It's real fun, whether it's Magic or Not! Jill Vanderwood, children's magical adventure author Through the Rug Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)

My seven year old loved this book. His review: "Is this story supposed to have lots of magic in it, or is it just coincidence? The story was great, all right." My guess is that if your child loves Edward Eager's other stuff, he or she will love this book as well.

Magic or Not is just what the title says. I like the mystery as to whether things are magical or not. It is interesting and intriguing. It explains it all in the end. There is still some mystery to it; you don't know exactly if what they figure out is actually right or not. Kids eight and up would like this book. The next book is the Well Wishers.

I love all of Eager's books. "Magic or Not" and "The Well Wishers" differ from his other five books in that the magic is less overt. It might be magic, it might be imagination, or ???? This book introduces readers to the joys that a love of the past can offer. The mystery centers on an abandoned house--who lived there? Why did they leave? The children are realistic, and you'll want to eat Lady Baltimore cake after reading this book. I read it at 8 and checked it out again and again just so I could keep it on my bookshelf. I'm happy today to own that original hardcover (the same one I checked out 30 years ago) as well as one of the newer paperback editions. The illustrations are great too.