Half Magic ( Tales of Magic #1 )

Since Half Magic first hit bookshelves in 1954, Edward Eager’s Tales of Magic have become beloved classics. Now all seven cherished stories by Edward Eager about vacationing cousins who stumble into magical doings and whimsical adventures are available in updated paperback editions. The original lively illustrations by N. M. Bodecker have been retained, but eye-catching new cover art gives these classics a fresh, contemporary look for a whole new generation. It all begins with a strange coin on a sun-warmed sidewalk. Jane finds the coin, and because she and her siblings are having the worst, most dreadfully boring summer ever, she 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. Wishing for two times some things is a cinch, but other doubled wishes only 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?