Seven-Day Magic

Tales of Magic #7

by Edward Eager, N.M. Bodecker (Illustrator)

A seven-day book of magic proves to be fractious for five children, who must learn the book's rules and tame its magic.

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

190 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1962

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

[Megan Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the Edward Eager books, this is probably the one I know least well, the one I don't think I first sat down and read until I was an adult - which means, unfortunately, that it missed out on that golden period where I devoured books as a child, reread them ad nauseam, and now carry them forever with me.

Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.

In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The best kind of book," says Barnaby, "is a magic book."

Oh, yes, I thought, nodding, of course.


I remember reading this book when I was a little ten year old girl.
I found Half Magic on the bottom shelf, dusty, almost unread,
and felt like I'd discovered a whole new world. Imagine how sad
I was to find that there were only two more Edward Eager books
in our library, which composed for me the entire extent of my book world!

The book was every bit as good to me as a forty-seven year old
as it was so many years ago. I'm "Eager" to read more Eager magic.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I read this as a child, but it must have been only once, because so much of it seemed fresh and new to me. Tommy was enthusiastic, especially at first, because he has lately been really into spotting "references" in books and TV shows (this largely brought about by his current fixation with The Simpsons). So it was exciting to him, that the first magical adventure referenced the Oz books, the second Half Magic and the third the Little House books, all of which he's somewhat familiar with. Then he got frustrated, because the chapters stopped being about books so much, and the children never visited the world of The Hobbit , which he'd been desperately hoping for, despite one of the characters suggesting it as a possibility. Later on, we were briefly excited when The 13 Clocks got mentioned. So, Tommy's frustrations aside, I still came away from the book with a certain satisfaction that I do seem to be producing a well-read child (even though he's not reading any of these on his own). A potential reader of this book would certainly do well to be familiar with those books. We actually tried to read Knight's Castle a few months back, but had to give up, because T was confused by and uninterested in all the Ivanhoe references -- something I didn't mind as a child despite not having read Ivanhoe (or seen the movie, as the kids do in that book).

Two last observations:

1. The "Barnaby the wanderer" chapter is much more philosophical than anything else of Eager's that I've read. I found myself wondering if there's a lot of Eager himself in Barnaby (full of ideas, aware he's more intelligent than anyone else, kind at heart, but given to defensively using biting sarcasm to make up for his scrawniness and short stature).

2. Eager's chapters are always really, really long. We ended up staying up til 10 (bedtime is supposedly at 9) to finish each chapter several times in our nights of reading this.

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

In this last book of the series, a whole new set of characters take center stage for another magical adventure! These children love visiting the library every week and checking out piles of books, and when Susan finds a mysterious old book without a title, she opens it to discover that the book is all about her and her friends making wishes and going on adventures! The children take turns making their wishes on the book with mixed results. Wizards and dragons are not all they seem to be, and when they begin mixing the magic with other books and modern-day events, things get out of hand until the children can learn to follow the magical rules and find their own happy endings.

Yet another wonderful book in this series! The winsome and wild writing takes you to a new world of magic and fantasy, every page drawing the reader into the story. The characters are complex and delightful, making you truly care about each of them.

I love how there are many many references to classic books like Robinson Crusoe, the Wizard of Oz, and countless others. As always, Edward Eager highlights several children's books by Edith Nesbit, which these characters have all read, of course!

Reading it for the second time was just as entertaining as the first!

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites! I love the bookishness of the seven-day magic. The self-references are great too- Eager brings up all his other books herein. Or a lot of them. There's even some character crossover. I love how the kids in this book have such definite ideas about how the magic will and will not work. Of course, they're right. And the magical book itself is a delight.

Read Edward Eager, pick any one. You can't go wrong.

[Eowyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like all of Edward Eager's books and this is one of my favorites. The five children in the book have magical adventures related to books they love and each one is funny, exciting and charming. I particularly liked the Laura Ingalls Wilder-esque chapter w/Granny, and I also liked that the father of 3 of the kids is a singer/actor and this is offered as a viable career for a dad. : ) A good read aloud that Walt and I book liked more than our last one, "Magic or Not."

[Dominika]

The nine year old's read aloud practice. We started with a page or two at a time and worked up to 5-7 pages at a time, so it took a while, but we were laughing throughout and it was really good for building vocabulary. The actual logic of the magic did not quite make sense to me, but perhaps Edward Eager was running out of steam. This is the last of his children's books.

[Elinor Loredan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This and Half Magic are my favorite books in the series. I wish all the others had been more like them--magical adventures from Eager's astonishing creativity. My favorite part of this one is when the kids go back and see Grannie when she was young. Grannie may be the most endearing character in the whole series.

This one is a book lover's dream, as it is about a magical book that grants wishes within the framework of other books.

What a delightful series! I'm glad I read it all the way through.

[jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

i really like the concept of this book. it was a cute read, and i wish i had a magic book like that

[Felicity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Edward Eager books as a child, and they're still fun. Seven Day Magic is charming because it's about the magic of books and a bookish sort of magic. Eager certainly is, as Bellow said of writers, "a reader moved to emulation," and this one drips with his love of books. It's sweet, good fun.

That said, when I was a child, I was like Fredericka in this book (actually, I suppose I WAS Fredericka, down to long, funny F name and favorite Oz book) and liked "magic adventure[s], with wizards and witches and magic things in it" that are "for certain" magic, "not just a coincidence". Fredericka's wish aside, much of this book is the gentler, less flashy sort of magic - more Magic or Not? than Knight's Castle and Magic by the Lake. I'm well aware (as Eager depicts) that children vary from Susans to Frederickas, so some may relish the incidental and subtle magic more than the perilous adventures. Well worth the trip to the library for any magic-loving child.

[Chana Billet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished the last of the Edward Eager books with my kids. We plowed through the seven-book series as a family read-aloud. Each book was better than the next. I am enthralled by the strong, independent characters Eager brings to life. These children are mature, responsible, funny - kids who use their imagination and creativity in useful and engaging ways. I am jealous of the era he paints where unplugged kids grow up in the antithesis of what has become the Nanny State, where free range kids are not coddled or catered too, and as a result, they rise beyond all expectations.

[Rick Stuckwisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not find this final Edward Eager book to be quite as charming as the previous six, but it did make for a nice concluding wrap-up to the "series." Lots of literary references, even more so than usual, and some quaint adventures on the part of the five children who serve as the book's protagonists. Certainly a worthwhile read aloud for parents and children to share together.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much fun. The only thing that could have made this book better is for the book receipt I found inside to have one of the children’s names on it!

[gowri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kept imagining Barnaby as Barnaby Brooks Jr from Tiger & Bunny but other than that it was good. Abbie's was probably the best though.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light, fun, simplistic. Encourages kids to read. My kids enjoyed it. Written in the 50s or 60s I think. Some of the references are definitely dated. Kids didn't seem to notice.

[Emilie]

We really enjoyed this tale. Eager went back to his magic roots.

[Erin Hendrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of Edward Eager's books make us laugh, but Beatrice and Charlie really enjoyed this one, and it was a very fun and satisfying story.

[Chrisanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite. But fun. I wonder if he meant this one to be the end...

[Eliza Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantasy

This book was very creative and entertaining. It tells the story of a library book that comes to life when children discover its magic. Whatever they wish for comes true and takes place in the blank pages of the book. It contains elements of fantasy such as magic and dragons.

I would use this book as an interactive read aloud. Students could discuss elements of fantasy and point them out as they discover them in the story. Then students could write their own fantasy story. This is a chapter book that is a perfect length for a unit on fantasy. The chapters aren't very long so it could easily be broken into appropriate lengths for read-alouds. I would also recommend this book as an independent read to advanced readers who are interested in the fantasy genre.

[Chrisinny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward Eager was my favorite series writer when I was growing up -this was one of his books that resonated with me the most. Five children are avowed book worms- they go to the library each Saturday to get new (and old favorite) books to check out. One nondescript book, only available as a 7 day loan, is checked out and becomes the doorway to magical adventures for the group. I remember wishing very hard that someday some magical talisman would appear and let me experience my own magical adventures. The joy of this book was that it made me think that this was possible, when I read it and for years to come.

[MB (What she read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun...

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hated this book because it wasn't interesting. I hated it even more because it didn't make sense.

[Natalie Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this story, the best thing is that now I'll be wandering around, imagining which story I'd like to wish myself into.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series, but still fun.

[Johnny Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Review: *Seven-Day Magic* by Edward Eager**

Edward Eager concludes his *Tales of Magic* series with *Seven-Day Magic*, a charming story that captures the joy and unpredictability of childhood adventures. Like the other books in this series, *Seven-Day Magic* pays homage to E. Nesbit, whom Eager regarded as the greatest children’s author, and includes references to earlier books in the series. While it can be enjoyed as a standalone, having read *Half Magic* will provide readers with additional context and enrich their experience.

Set in 1950s America, the story follows five children who stumble upon a magical book that grants them a week of enchantment. However, they soon discover that the book’s magic comes with its own set of rules, and navigating its powers proves to be both exciting and challenging. Eager’s narrative strikes the perfect balance between humor and heart, making the characters relatable and their interactions lively. Each child has a distinct personality, which adds depth to the story and highlights the importance of teamwork and understanding as they embark on their magical journey.

The book’s setting may feel slightly dated for today’s young readers, but the themes of curiosity, friendship, and the love of stories remain timeless. Eager’s writing is accessible, making it an ideal read for late elementary-aged children and older. One of the standout aspects of *Seven-Day Magic* is its celebration of literature and libraries, underscoring the wonder that books can bring into our lives. While this message is positive, it can come across as somewhat heavy-handed, resembling an enthusiastic advertisement for public libraries.

For readers who enjoy light fantasy, *Seven-Day Magic* and the entire *Tales of Magic* series are excellent introductions. Fans of *The Chronicles of Narnia* will find a similar sense of adventure and camaraderie here, albeit on a smaller scale. This series is a great stepping stone for young readers before diving into more expansive works like *The Chronicles of Narnia* or *The Lord of the Rings*.

[Gail Sacharski · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the grown-up books on my vacation bookshelf, I still had a couple days left to fill so I chose the children's book that looked most interesting. The illustrations reminded me a bit of Terry Pratchett's very early works which is probably what drew me to it. John & Susan were orphaned at a young age & now live with their feisty Grannie. Their best friends who live across the street--three siblings--Barnaby, Abbie, & Fredericka have taught them a love of reading so they're all off to the library on the first Saturday of summer to pick out some interesting books to share. As they're checking out their choices, Susan sees an odd-looking book by itself on the end of a bottom shelf in the fairy tale section &, on a whim, adds it to her pile. As the children follow their usual habit of each reading a bit from one of their books, Susan makes a strange discovery--the odd book she chose is telling a story . . about them! It is perfectly describing their conversation about magic & wishes & checking out their books & walking home--but then the pages go blank. What should they do? They figure out the book is a magic one that will take them on adventures wherever they wish, but there are rules to magic--which will try to thwart you at every turn if you're not careful--so they begin with a wish for an exciting adventure & meet Mr. Oswaldo, an old vaudeville magician pulling things out of his hat. Unfortunately, what he pulls out is a dragon that promptly flies off with Fredericka to have her for lunch. Now they must save her! And will they survive for the next of them to have his or her wishful magic adventure? This was a clever story with lots of references to popular books of other authors & lessons learned about the importance of magic & wishes & not breaking the rules of magic.

[Filipa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seven-Day Magic concludes the Tales of Magic series by Edward Eager. It has been a truly great reading experience during the last year and the present year's summer. I've divided the reading of this series between two summers because:

1) I wanted to keep in touch with these books and author for the maximum amount of time possible;
2) Last year when I came across Eager's books I decided to create a literary movement/challenge: during the months of summer (June 1st- August 31st), my goal was to read as many books with magical elements as I could. I've called it #summerofmagic. I absolutely invite everyone to join me and tag me if you do, because it's super fun. My summers have been very magical indeed and I find that makes me extremely happy.

I just love magic, you know.
My favorite kind of magic is the kind that happens in this book - the one that creeps up on you without you noticing and in the most normal and ordinary of days. That kind of magic is delicious because it blends with reality perfectly. I do try to find the magic in my ordinary days and that's why I just gobble up this kind of books. That is the type of magic that you find in Eager's books and also one of the reasons why I love his books so much.
It's very possible that I will find myself reading these books all over again and feel all the same things again. If that isn't magic, what is?
Just like I said in previous reviews: for those who like children literature and adore magic, you should definitely read Edward's books, they are endearing and very, very good. Go grab one of his books and let his magic do the trick.

[Ness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found a copy of this book at a second-hand bookstore and it felt so nostalgic reading it again. It reminded me of my summer vacation days in middle school, when my dad would take my siblings and me to the library to borrow books. Edward Eager was always a staple in those days. I would read the whole series, and then read it again next year, by which time I had usually forgotten how the tales went, and it was almost like reading them for the first time again. For some absurd reason, the one thing I remembered most clearly from reading this book as a child was the silly song Abbie's father sang in the chorus "Chickadee tidbit...".

As for the story itself, it's classic Edward Eager as I remember it. Five children find a book that grants them wishes and takes them on magical adventures. As usual, the magic comes at a price, as the children learn one by one. My favourite story was the one involving Granny, and my favourite bits of the book involved her too! This is an ideal lazy summer read or cozy winter read or general comfort read. It makes me want to go back and read all of Eager's other books again, too!

[Cory · Rating 3 out of 5]

I reread this book with my mom out loud and it was so much fun. If you don't take the book too seriously, it's basically just plain ridiculous, absurd entertainment to see how Edward Eager wanted to bring magic stories to children. If you picked a random sentence from the book, you'd think, "I can't imagine anyone ever having a reason to write that sentence," but if you'd had just been following along for a few pages, it would have made perfect sense. It's kind of how if you spend a few minutes listening to a child explain something - without interrupting them - you can learn a lot.

There's nothing gripping about the plot, nothing to hold on to about the characters. Don't read it for that. Read it for the moments when you're like, "Okay... where is this going?" and then, when the right time comes, you're suddenly laughing because of the admirable delivery of stupidity, absurdity, and wit.

[Kerfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

My family has a tradition of reading books aloud. This was occasional, mostly after cooking and eating Sunday dinners together, before the pandemic, but became a regular occurrence over Google Meet calls when we were each quarantined in our own apartments and could not meet.

After finishing the Swallows and Amazons series, my daughters wanted to revisit Edward Eager's Tales of Magic book series, beginning with "Half Magic", which they remembered fondly from childhood.

We read through them all, finishing with this book, "Seven Day Magic". As in any series, some were more engaging than others, but the characters were for the most part appealing and we were not disappointed. The girls recalled reading some of them, including this one, multiple times as children.

What child (or adult for that matter) doesn't secretly wish for a little more magic to enter the normal routine of their lives?