Half Magic

From: Vermont Public Radio
Series: Camel's Hump Radio
Length: 28:48

Jane?s found a magic coin that grants people?s wishes, but only half of what they wish for. Soon she and her siblings are taking turns wishing for twice as much as what they really want to happen. But, like they say, be careful what you wish for.... Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: Half Magic
From: Vermont Public Radio

Camelshumplogo_small Bill Harley reads an excerpt from HALF MAGIC by Edward Eager. It?s summer and Jane, Mark, Katherine, and Martha are bored. Then, one day, on the way to the library, Jane picks up a coin she takes to be a nickel. She wishes that they could watch a house burn down. A most improper and unlikely wish. But before they know it, there are fire trucks screaming down the street to put out a fire in someone?s back yard. They soon realize that Jane?s found a magic coin that grants people?s wishes, but only half of what they wish for. They wish their cat could speak, and it talks ? but in gibberish. Now, these kids are smart, and soon they?re taking turns wishing for twice as much as what they really want to happen. But, like they say, be careful what you wish for. Each episode of Camel's Hump Radio features a compelling excerpt from a book, read by a professional actor and accented with original music. Our goal is to air an excerpt that hooks the listener into the story and ends with a finish that leaves them wanting to read the rest of the book. A companion website allows listeners to learn more about the featured books, authors and provides additional related material.

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Piece Description

Bill Harley reads an excerpt from HALF MAGIC by Edward Eager. It?s summer and Jane, Mark, Katherine, and Martha are bored. Then, one day, on the way to the library, Jane picks up a coin she takes to be a nickel. She wishes that they could watch a house burn down. A most improper and unlikely wish. But before they know it, there are fire trucks screaming down the street to put out a fire in someone?s back yard. They soon realize that Jane?s found a magic coin that grants people?s wishes, but only half of what they wish for. They wish their cat could speak, and it talks ? but in gibberish. Now, these kids are smart, and soon they?re taking turns wishing for twice as much as what they really want to happen. But, like they say, be careful what you wish for. Each episode of Camel's Hump Radio features a compelling excerpt from a book, read by a professional actor and accented with original music. Our goal is to air an excerpt that hooks the listener into the story and ends with a finish that leaves them wanting to read the rest of the book. A companion website allows listeners to learn more about the featured books, authors and provides additional related material.

Broadcast History

One of fifteen episodes featured in Season 6 of Camel's Hump Radio, produced by Vermont Public Radio.

Bill Harley hosts Camel's Hump Radio, a half-hour weekly stand-alone program. Each episode features a compelling excerpt from a book, read by a professional actor and accented with original music. Our goal is to air an excerpt that hooks the listener into the story and ends with a finish that leaves them wanting to read the rest of the book.

The series is produced by Vermont Public Radio (VPR). Host Bill Harley is a singer, storyteller, author and playwright who performs for family audiences nation-wide and is known to millions through his commentaries on National Public Radio (NPR). He has twice received Grammy nominations for his spoken-word recordings.

Harley introduces each book and offers background information about the story for listeners. A companion web site (www.camelshumpradio.net) allows listeners to learn more about the featured books and authors and provides additional related material. Posters and bookmarks can be downloaded from the site. In Vermont, school and public librarians promote the broadcast to their students via the posters and bookmarks.

Series airs Sundays at 7pm on Vermont Public Radio. KTNA/Alaska airs the series bi-weekly Thursdays at 6:30pm.