About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is transitioning to a new environment or looking for ways to make a positive impact on their community. This mid-century classic follows siblings Laura and James as they discover a wishing well in their new yard that seems to grant requests, provided the wisher is willing to put in the work to help others. It is a wonderful choice for encouraging empathy and social responsibility, as the children use their wishes to solve local problems like financial hardship and school funding. The story balances a sense of wonder with grounded, realistic consequences, making it an excellent bridge for readers who enjoy both fantasy and real-world adventure. It models how young people can advocate for others and work together to effect change in their own neighborhoods.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss the historical context of the mid-20th century, particularly regarding the financial stakes of mortgage foreclosure for Miss Isabella King and the social hierarchies represented by characters like Mrs. Witherspoon. The threat of an elderly character losing her home due to foreclosure may be distressing to sensitive readers and may require a conversation about financial hardship.
Ideal Reader
An 8 to 10 year old who loves a mystery and is starting to take an interest in 'grown-up' problems like fairness and community needs, but still wants a touch of magic. This story is particularly empowering for children who may feel powerless to help a friend or neighbor in a difficult situation.
Parent Prep
This book can be read cold. The vocabulary is sophisticated but accessible, typical of Edward Eager's style.
Age Experience
Younger readers will focus on the 'is it magic?' mystery and the fun of the adventures. Older readers will appreciate the cleverness of the children's solutions and the satirical look at adult social dynamics.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many fantasy novels where magic solves everything, Eager creates a world where magic and coincidence are indistinguishable, placing the agency firmly in the hands of the children and their moral choices.
Read plot summary
Laura and James move to a drafty old house in Connecticut and discover a wishing well. Along with their new neighbors, Kip and Lydia, they embark on a series of adventures triggered by wishes. The children help an elderly woman face mortgage foreclosure, find a missing heir, and navigate local politics to improve their school. The central conceit remains ambiguous: does the well actually have power, or is it the children's initiative and kindness that create the positive outcomes?
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
By the end of the book, do you think the well was actually magic, or did the kids make things happen on their own?
2
Why was it so important to the children to help Miss Isabella King keep her house?
3
Laura and James have very different ways of wishing. How does their teamwork help them solve the problems they encounter?
4
If you found a well that might be magic, what is the first 'good deed' wish you would make for someone else?
