The Magic Half

by Annie Barrows

Overview

Miri is the non-twin child in a family with two sets of them—older brothers and younger sisters. When her family moves to an old farmhouse in a new town, the only good thing seems to be Miri's ten-sided attic bedroom. But when Miri gets sent to her room after accidentally bashing her big brother on the head, she finds herself in the same room . . . only not quite.

Without meaning to, she has found a way to travel back in time to 1935 where she discovers Molly, a girl her own age very much in need of a loving family. A highly satisfying classic-in-the-making full of spine-tingling moments, this is delightful time-travel story will have readers clamoring for another treat of twin-inspired magic in the follow up Magic in the Mix.

Customer Reviews

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781619636255
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	09/16/2014
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	4.70(w) x 7.20(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

About the Author

Annie Barrows was an editor at Chronicle Books before becoming a full time writer. She has written several adult titles including the New York Times bestseller The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, as well as the highly acclaimed children's series Ivy and Bean and The Magic Half. Annie lives in Northern California with her husband and two daughters. www.anniebarrows.com

Hometown:

Berkeley, CA

Date of Birth:

August 24, 1962

Place of Birth:

San Diego, CA

Education:

University of California at Berkeley, B.A. in Medieval History; Mills College, M.F.A. in Creative Writing

Editorial Reviews

"Barrows conjures up a delightful tale brimming with mystery, magic, and adventure that will surely enchant readers everywhere." —School Library Journal

"The heroine’s adaptability and independent thinking endow her with the appeal of a Ramona Quimby or a Clementine." —Publishers Weekly

"Barrows once again presents utterly real kids . . . this is pleasing fare that adds a bit of history and a tad of mystery into the mix." —Booklist

From the Publisher

Not only is 11-year-old Miri a middle child, but she's stuck between two sets of twins, neither of which will let Miri tag along as they explore the nooks and crannies of the family's new house. Good thing Miri has a wild imagination to keep her company and a powerful belief in magic, too. She needs both for this clever take on the through-the-looking-glass(es) adventure that Barrows (Ivy and Bean) spins for her. "Magic is just a way of setting things right," Miri learns after peering through an eyeglass she discovers in her room and then suddenly finding herself in the company of a girl who could almost be Miri's twin, except that the year is now 1935. Barrows limits the fantasy to the simple but effective time-travel device, using it sparingly as Miri bravely sets about making things right for her new friend-and eventually herself. Readers will savor the author's lively observations (thinking she is trapped in the past, Miri "consider[s] the fact that several of her favorite books would not be published for seventy more years. 'Great.... When I'm in my eighties I'll find out what happens to Harry Potter' "), while the heroine's adaptability and independent thinking endow her with the appeal of a Ramona Quimby or a Clementine. Ages 8-12. (Jan.)

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Publishers Weekly

One in eight million families has two sets of twins. It may seem extraordinary but to Miri who is the middle child between her older twin brothers Ray and Robbie, and her younger twin sisters Nell and Nora, she feels like a ‘fifth wheel' in the family. After being sent to her room for hitting Ray with a shovel, Miri spots a piece of glass taped up on one of the purple walls in her bedroom. As she closely examines and peers through the glass, Miri is suddenly transported back to 1935 and meets Molly who resides in the room. Molly is undaunted by Miri's appearance because she believes that Miri is a fairy who will rescue her from the unbearable Aunt Flo and cousins. Miri is determined to help save Molly from her plight but will she be able figure out how? The foreshadowing in the story leads to interesting twists and exciting turns in the story for surprising results in the end that are captivating. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung

Children's Literature - Carrie Hane Hung

Gr 4-6

The middle child between two sets of twins, Miri often feels left out, overlooked, and unremarkable. When her family moves to a new home, she feels lonelier than ever. She soon learns from an elderly neighbor of a legend surrounding her house. According to town lore, many years earlier a thief left buried treasure somewhere on her property. Quickly, the siblings race to uncover it. Soon after the hunt begins she notices a small piece of glass taped to her wall. Looking through the lens, Miri finds herself still in her room, but in 1935. It is here that she meets Molly, a girl badly in need of help to escape her abusive situation, but Miri accidentally returns to her own time before she can save her new friend. Alone again, she must figure out how to rescue Molly before it's too late. This fast-paced story will delight anyone who has ever believed in magic, longed for a twin, or imagined the secrets their home might hold. The characters and setting are realistic despite the subtle elements of magic and time travel. Barrows conjures up a delightful tale brimming with mystery, magic, and adventure that will surely enchant readers everywhere.-Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

School Library Journal