Magic or Not?

Tales of Magic #5

by Edward Eager

The magic begins when Laura and her family--brothers James, baby Deborah, and her parents--move to a country house in Connecticut. There is a well in the yard, and Laura is the kind of girl who believes in making wishes.

Her first wish comes true, and this sets off a round of adventures for Laura, James and two neighbors, Kip and Lydia, who mix what seems to be genuine magic with good deeds: saving old Miss Isabella King's house from a mortgage foreclosure, rescuing the "long-lost heir," persuading snobbish Mrs. Witherspoon to support the new school proposal, and discovering the secret of the antique desk. And as for the magic, is it or not?

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Magic, Young Adult, Adventure

197 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Eager was born in and grew up in Toledo, Ohio and attended Harvard University, class of 1935. After graduation, he moved to New York City, where he lived for 14 years before moving to Connecticut. He married Jane Eberly in 1938 and they had a son, Fritz.

Eager was a childhood fan of L. Frank Baum's Oz series, and started writing children's books when he could not find stories he wanted to read to his own young son. In his books, Eager often acknowledges his debt to E. Nesbit, whom he thought of as the best children's author of all time.

A well-known lyricist and playwright, Eager died on October 23, 1964 in Stamford, Connecticut, at the age of fifty-three.

Reviews

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved rereading this children's classic! When twins Laura and James move to the country, they find an old wishing well, and begin to test the magic waters with their wishes. The wishes seem to come true, but in such regular, mundane ways that the children can't be sure... was it magic or not? The eccentric Lydia comes blasting into their adventures, and their neighbor Kip joins in the fun. The wishing well definitely appears to be influencing their adventures, but only when they wish something good for others, never when they wish for themselves. So the four friends attempt a quest of good deeds, with mixed results when the disgustingly spoiled rich kid, Gordy, begins to tag along and pester them. Can the children accept the strange directions that the wishing well sends them, or will they draw the line at including the nasty Gordy in their group?

I just adore everything about this book! The whimsical plot, the endearing characters, and the way the author keeps you guessing... was it really magic? ...or not?
I, for one, believe that it was definitely magic, although perhaps a mild type of magic.

The best part is seeing how the children slowly make friends, and begin to understand one another, forming a close-knit group until the spoiled Gordy comes along. Their friendship dynamic really pushes the story along, and makes every moment delightfully peppery.

2021 Update: Rereading it again is just as delightful and fun!

[Qt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charmingly written. I've always liked Edward Eager's writing style.

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it's listed as Book #5 of the "Tales of Magic" series, this book features all new characters and no cameos from the children from the other books at all.

I have the sense that Eager really hit his stride with this book. It flows more smoothly from chapter to chapter, and the adventures in the story link together better than in the previous four books. I loved the other four, but this one is just more tightly written and more satisfying to me. My daughter enjoyed it, too. She's not a huge fan of fantasy---she's a very practical almost-eight-year-old (perhaps too practical)---and I think there was great appeal for her in the fact that "magic or not?" remained a question throughout the book. Everything that happens to the children can be explained without magic...but then, it can all be explained magically, too. This ambiguity was delicious, to use my daughter's word (her word is "delicious" not "ambiguous"; she's quite precocious but I don't think she's learned that particular word yet). My daughter says she likes Magic or Not? about the same as the other books, but it may well be my favorite of the bunch, so far.

One more book left in the "Tales of Magic" series. I'm looking forward to it, but I'll also be sad to say goodbye to the books. I've tried to get my daughter into Edith Nesbit's books since the children in Eager's books like them so much, but aside from Five Children and It, she shows no interest. She says they're, "BOR-ING!" And this is the kid who reads field guides for fun. I don't really get it. Luckily, there are plenty of children's classics to read after we finish Book #6.

[Chrisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much fun and wisdom, even if I do miss the magic.

[CatholicBibliophagist · Rating 2 out of 5]

Edward Eager was one of my favorite authors when I was a child. However, I only read Magic or Not and its sequel, The Well Wishers once or twice. (The others I read countless times!)

What I liked about Eager's other books was that magical adventures befell ordinary children living in ordinary neighborhoods in the United States. But in Magic or Not the very existence of magic is very ambiguous. In fact, the characters themselves aren't sure whether the wishing well is granting their wishes or if each successful outcome is the result of coincidence.

And that's not what I was hoping for when I read these books as a child.

Having now reread both books as an adult, I'm revising my original opinion of them upwards -- but by only a little. I can appreciate the author's attempt to do something different from the rest of his canon, and from my adult point of view, I definitely see a supernatural touch in both books. And most of the elements I've always loved in Eager's books are still there. But for me they still lack the exuberance of his previous works. And I am glad that the author went back to form in his last book, Seven Day Magic.

[Filipa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Edward Eager. Even though the characters are different, the magic of Edward Eager's writing is always present.
I adored this book as I've been adoring all Eager's books since I read his first book...but, this book was especially great, mostly because of its title (obviously the story contextualizes it) and the way that Edward just kept us all wondering...

I especially adored the idea of perpetuating, throughout the whole book, the uncertainty regarding magic's existence. It was never truly clear to the reader if the events were influenced by magic or not and to me, that's made the book truly irresistible. It's up to the reader to decide if he wants to believe in magic influence or not, much the same way Laura decided that she believed in magic and that was that.

That really stroke a chord with me because I do enjoy the romantic idea that magic or serendipity is all around and sometimes I day-dream with both concepts in my real life. I like to believe that magical realism is just a reality and that is why this book was just so special for me. I think this is one of the best books in the series and I'm really excited to read the two that I still have left - I will read them this month, of course. I can't bear the wait... For all of you who enjoy magic and children's books, Edward Eager's book are DEFINITELY for you.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed my reread of this book. The thing that's different than the other books in this series was that there may not have been any magic at all (as the title hints at). My favorite part of this series when I was young was the actual blunt magic. It's hard to explain, I did like the aspect of everything maybe just being coincidence, like you can make your own magic, however I did miss the real magic.
The characters were ok, nothing will beat the original 4 siblings though (for me). I think my favorite character was Miss Isabelle King.
When I used to think back about this book, I had one scene so vivid in my mind. It was the scene where the kids row up the river to "return" the long-lost heir. For some reason this was the scene that always stuck with me, but it really is a small scene in the book. I absolutely loved the abandoned cottage in the woods. It would have been my life's goal when I was little to find something like that and I just loved reading about it.
Overall while this was a different kind of story from the previous 4, I did still enjoy it.

[Rick Stuckwisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading aloud to my own children these wonderful books that my Dad read to me as a child, or that I read to myself when I was younger (or even to my older children when they were younger), awakens such fond memories within me. Marvelous. This book is, in some respects, more poignant than the earlier Edward Eager books, in large part because it's not clear whether there's any magic involved or not, or simply a case of children befriending each other, discovering things about themselves and their neighbors, and seeking to do what is good and right. Very nice, and well written besides.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, and "The Well-Wishers," were probably my two least favorite Edward Eager magic books, because he started waffling about whether the magic was really happening or not. I *hated* that! The thing that made his other books so much fun (especially when I first read them as a child) was that he wrote about ordinary kids who had real magic adventures. I don't know what made him suddenly start prevaricating about the magic, but I found it very frustrating!

[Meghan Francisco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half Magic is still my favorite of Eager's books, but in Magic or Not? he hasn't lost his signature touch with characters or plot. In this book, I enjoyed the play with the concept of magic as fate or magic as coincidence in the real world and the ultimate pleasure that the children took in considering that the adults had set all of the magical adventures up for them. All in all, a sweet book that I'm glad to have read, magic or not!

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the Edward Eager books I missed
as a child. Laura moves into a new
home with a well that, according to
knowledgable sources, grants wishes.
What wishes will the well willingly
work?

[gowri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gordy is the MVP seriously. Also that ending is pretty intriguing 🤔

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a very nice book, it definitely doesn’t fit in the Tales of Magic series. The kids in the book are left to wonder if it really is magic or not. In the other books, there is obvious magic in it and it feels like a magical story. This book was great, but I’m rating it 3 stars because it doesn’t feel like a Tales of Magic book. It’s hard to put my finger on what makes it not like it’s part of the series. It almost seems like the reality of the Tales of Magic books, as it was quoted that they were reading the book Half Magic early on. Anyways, this book just didn’t feel right.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The magic was a bit more subtle in this one. There were a few references to the other books, specifically Half-Magic, but otherwise this seemed unrelated. But instead it was just kind of sweet. And it was set just a little clearer in a place and time. It wasn't very long and wasn't very deep. But it was a nice pleasant read.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A group of kids, 2 who have just moved there, and 2 long time residents, have adventures due to a wishing well. Or is it a wishing well? They meet a fifth kid in the course of their adventures. Fun but not as good as others in the series.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably my favorite book in this series so far. I really liked the back and forth question of whether or not what was happening to them was magic or just coincidence. I loved how the author used this as a theme, like, even if there isn’t magic, (but maybe there is) things can still be magical. I also loved the idea in that magic is fueled by, comes from, or maybe just is “good turns.” It’s a good message. And, of course, like all books in this series, beautifully written.

[Elinor Loredan]

This one is second in line to Half Magic as far as my favorite books in the series so far. All of the events (as far as I know) are purely Eager's imagination--no historical or literary setups. Again, I can enjoy them, but I like Eager's own inventions best. I love the four children. Eager is great at creating a good blend of personalities. The children in this book grow a lot over the course of their adventures.

[Shazza Maddog · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one out of order. Out of all the Edward Eager Magic books I've read so far, this one is the one I enjoyed the least.

Laura and her fraternal twin brother, James, are moving to the country from New York City. Laura is plum sure they're going to find magic out there and when they arrive at their new home (sight unseen; their parents bought it without them due to the kids' very mature realizations that they loved every house they'd seen and if they kept comparing, they'd dislike the one their parents eventually settled on), they find a gabled well out front. Laura immediately makes a tiny wish - for a kitten. The next day - two kittens appear, one white, one black, proof to Laura that the well is magic.

James is far more pragmatic and believes someone overheard Laura making the wish and that they dropped off the kittens - and that proves to be true; Lydia, a girl their age, with a grandmother everyone in town believes is a witch, Lydia, who rides a huge black horse everywhere, very fast, Lydia, who's pretty weird - Lydia saw Laura making the wish and took advantage of the fact she had kittens. But the three of them are now friends, along with Kip, a boy who helps them mow the lawn the first day.

Laura tries to convince them the well is magic and it might be but their magic seems to be tied up in very everyday things - they ask to meet someone from another world and a neighbor shows up driving an old horse carriage, dressed in clothes from long ago. They ask to help said neighbor and come up with a great way to do so. They ask for a new school to be built and, well you get the picture.

Compared to the other books in the series, there's absolutely no overt magic and more like kids not quite realizing they make their own magic by helping people.

Still a very satisfying read, though by the end, the kids are questioning where there was magic or not in their summer.

[Ashley Lambert-Maberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's a wonderful writer, and all his books are gentle, kind, interesting, fun ... kind of ideal, really, unless you want a gritty, hard-hitting thought-provoking depressing kind of book, which I don't.

My only quibble is I'm such a fan of fantasy (the words must be related ... fan from fanatic, but presumably ancient Greek has something in common with both?) that having it pretty clear there is no magic (I'm in the "or Not" campu myself) is a bit disappointing.

And a shout-out for the artist. I'm a huge fan of the relatively unsung N.M. Bodecker, whose illustrations I think are perfect for childrens books, narrowly edging out other favourites of mine like Ardizzione or Baynes (Gorey's in his own category, of course).

Note: I have written a novel (not yet published), so now I will suffer pangs of guilt every time I offer less than five stars. In my subjective opinion, the stars suggest:

(5* = one of my all-time favourites, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = actually disappointing, and 1* = hated it. As a statistician I know most books are 3s, but I am biased in my selection and end up mostly with 4s, thank goodness.)

[Jannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I seem to be reading this series backwards. Anyhow it was lovely charming story.
But I was a bit put out by one thing in the end. Did they or did they not return Mrs T Witherspoon's desk? And did she find out? I would bloody like to know because my heart was racing when they (the 5 children) carried it away in the middle of the night. Yes its fine and well to say magic was in the air and the identical desks needed to be reunited. But I kinda had a heart failure. I guess I take things far too seriously..

[Daniell · Rating 3 out of 5]

historical fiction combines with fantasy. It didn't convince me to suspend belief and go with the magic. Maybe because they kids themselves doubt it all along? And the children seem unrealistically altruistic. Although maybe that's how kids were in the '50s...LOL

[Helena Sorensen · Rating 1 out of 5]

We are big Edward Eager fans, but this one fell flat for us.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Notable Content: Someone is referred to as a "feckless boob."

Cute story, fun characters.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, let me say that many of the reviews for this book answer the title's question, from the individual reviewer’s perspective, and I'm glad I didn't read them before I read the book. I think Eager leaves it up to each reader to answer. If I had read this as a child, I might have been upset that the "magic" was perhaps not real magic. As an adult, I saw that the magic was made from people being kind to one another, in friendships made and lessons learned, and I found it satisfying. However, I could imagine that, had I read it at certain times in my childhood, I might have been rather upset, especially since the magic seems quite real in previous Eager books For my spoiler-free opinion, I read the book for the first time as an adult and I absolutely loved it! I found it so captivating and the characters all felt so real. Eager's humor is drawn from empathizing with children, rather than poking fun at them, and I so appreciate that. I just feel all the little triumphs and annoyances and frustrations and joys that each child experiences and it wakes up something in my heart and reminds me of times I felt much the same in my own childhood. Of course, the children here have so much freedom that most children today can only dream of -- traipsing here and there all over town without any adults in tow, even hitch-hiking with no one raising an eyebrow. So, that is probably more far-fetched for modern-day young readers than any magic (or not) that the book has in store. I loved the ambiance and summer-time vibe and feel that it will still appeal to some young readers today who enjoy character-driven narratives, and magic mingled with ordinary life.

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book. I have enjoyed the others in the series to different degrees but this one was very different. I enjoy books that have magic in them (ie Half Magic) but this book spends the whole book being very odd about magic and making everything that happens be explained away while the children insist that it is real. Then suddenly there is an actual ghost at the end talking about her life and death which didn't fit well into the story...and then suddenly they realize it might have been a hoax but choose to believe it was real. It is just very odd. I like normal everyday adventure stories and I like magic adventure stories but this book was between the two and I really didn't like it. The kids also were not very smart and were inconsiderate as well. I will read the sequel so I can finish the series but I wouldn't recommend this particular book. The others are better.

[Chazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura and James’ family are moving from the city to the country, a whole new world to explore. Being an adventure seeking girl, Laura can’t wait. An old red house with a well in front….a wishing well!
A group of new friends — Kip and his dog Alice, Lydia Green who lives with her grandmother who is an artist, Laura, James and their little sister Deborah. Will they be good friends even with their different personalities and interests?

Lydia states that the well is a Wishing Well and Laura believes it is a real wishing well when her first wish comes true!

Things do start happening, but are they wishes coming true or is someone making it seem that way? Wished for kittens appearing, rescuing an “almost” long lost heir, saving a kind woman from losing her home, solving the mystery of the antique desks; each adventure brings the children closer in friendship.

[LobsterQuadrille · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

So far I have really liked all of the previous "Tales of Magic" books, but they apparently set the bar too high for Magic or Not? to reach. This was a nice story with nice characters, but it lacked the spark and magic(both literal and figurative) of the previous books. I like the idea of having the characters uncertain of whether or not magic is really at work, but the story didn't have enough focus and the main characters weren't interesting enough to make it work. It wasn't an awful book, but I'm glad I got it from the library instead of buying a copy first.

This is the only book of the series that has disappointed me so far, so hopefully Magic or Not? is just a fluke and the next two will be as much fun as the others!

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of what a friend calls "was it or wasn't it?" stories where maybe there was magic/ghosts/vampires and maybe it was all imagination ... This Edward Eager story isn't too bad about that — as the kids point out, it would take the entire town trying to fool them to explain stuff away — but it's much more mundane than the other books.
A family moves into a small town. Their two kids and their two new friends attempt to use the wishing well on the property to help people and everything does seem to get better, though not always the way they expect. It's cute, but it's not as fun as the full-blown fantasy of Half Magic or Time Garden.

[Stephanie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I read children's books like this, I try to keep my mind on the fact that it is actually for children and rate it accordingly.

This book was one that I have owned and read numerous times since I was a child and have enjoyed immensely. I loved the magic both as a kid and as an adult, but as an adult, I really enjoyed the way the kids were depicted. They were not always sweet (how they treated Gordy and how Lydia behaved at first), but they actually had some growth.

The writing was actually super well done as well and flowed in such a way that I could appreciate even now.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Magic or Not? By Edward Eager was my least favorite of his fantasy novels for middle-graders. Laura and James have moved to Connecticut from New York City and their new home has a wishing well. The children only asked for things that helped other people and worked to help the magic along, so it was never clear whether the wishing well was actually working or it was the children’s efforts. But it was an Edward Eager book and I still liked the story. His writing is very similar to Edith Nesbit and I enjoyed the children’s adventures.