Magic by the Lake

Magic by the Lake is a children's fantasy novel and sequel to Half Magic. Four siblings discover an enchanted lake during their summer vacation at their family's cottage. The children learn that the lake grants wishes, but they must figure out how to control and direct its magic properly. Their adventures take them through encounters with mermaids, pirates, and other magical beings as they navigate the consequences of their wishes. Time travel, magical transformations, and underwater escapades fill their summer days as they work to master the lake's unpredictable powers. The siblings must cooperate and use their wits to handle both the wonders and complications that arise. At its core, the story explores themes of responsibility, family bonds, and the balance between desire and wisdom. The narrative demonstrates how even magical wishes require careful thought and understanding of their effects on others.

Readers find Magic by the Lake a satisfying sequel to Half Magic, though not quite reaching the same heights. Many note it maintains Eager's humor and creative approach to magical consequences. Liked: - Builds naturally on the previous book's characters - Realistic sibling dynamics and dialogue - Clever twists on standard magic wishes - Martha's character development - References to other children's fantasy books Disliked: - More loosely structured plot compared to Half Magic - Some find the lake setting less engaging than the city setting - Middle section drags for some readers - Magic rules feel less consistent Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (120+ ratings) Reader Quote: "The magic adventures are fun but don't flow together as smoothly as in Half Magic. Still charming and worth reading." - Goodreads reviewer Common recommendation: Read Half Magic first to fully appreciate the characters and context.

Half Magic by Edward Eager Four siblings discover a magical coin that grants wishes by halves, leading to adventures and mishaps in their ordinary town.

The Enchanted Castle by Edith Nesbit Three children stumble upon a mysterious castle and a magic ring that draws them into a series of magical encounters with statues, invisible beings, and ancient enchantments.

The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs An orphaned boy moves to his uncle's house filled with magical objects and must locate a clock hidden in the walls before it triggers the end of the world.

The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Weston Phillips A boy receives a toy castle complete with a knight who comes to life, leading to his transformation and quest in a medieval world.

Time at the Top by Edward Ormondroyd A girl discovers her apartment building's elevator can transport her to the past, where she becomes involved in the lives of two children from 1881.

🌟 Edward Eager wrote his magical children's books specifically because his own son was hungry for more stories like E. Nesbit's, after they'd read all of hers. 🌊 "Magic by the Lake" (1957) is a direct sequel to "Half Magic," following the same four siblings during their summer vacation. 📚 The author worked as a playwright and lyricist for Broadway before turning to children's literature, which influenced his snappy dialogue and theatrical scene-setting. 🪄 Eager's magic books always feature strict rules and limitations on the magic, which he believed made stories more interesting than unlimited magical power. 🎨 The original illustrations for the book were done by N.M. Bodecker, who illustrated all seven of Eager's magic-themed books, creating a distinctive and cohesive visual style across the series.