Books › Magic by the Lake (Tales of Magic #3)
Magic by the Lake (Tales of Magic #3)
208 pages
A sun-drenched, chaotic summer holiday where a lake's unpredictable magic turns ordinary siblings into time-hopping adventurers.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like diving headfirst into the boundless, slightly chaotic imagination of a classic childhood summer. The pace is brisk and episodic, bouncing effortlessly from encounters with mermaids to run-ins with pirates and legendary thieves, all fueled by a lake brimming with unpredictable magic. The mood is distinctly sun-warmed and wondrous, capturing the specific nostalgia of a vacation where anything seems possible. Beneath the whimsical time-hopping and the humorous presence of a sly old turtle, there is a grounding warmth as the siblings work together to help their stepfather save his failing bookstore. It is a delightful, lighthearted adventure perfectly suited for readers who cherish old-fashioned, imaginative tales where ordinary children navigate extraordinary, rule-bending worlds.
- Mood
- summery
- wondrous
- chaotic
- nostalgic
- Tone
- whimsical
- adventurous
- playful
- lighthearted
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- childhood imagination · summer vacation adventures · unpredictable magic · family problem-solving
- The writing
- Playful and imaginative, capturing the boundless, slightly chaotic energy of children navigating unexpected magical rules.
- The arc
- Begins with the carefree excitement of a summer vacation and escalates into a whirlwind of unpredictable magical encounters before resolving in a heartwarming family triumph.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love classic, episodic children's fantasy where siblings stumble into whimsical, time-bending adventures during their summer holidays.
Content notes
- fantastical peril
- cannibals (fantastical context)
About the book
If Jane and Mark and Katharine and Martha had stopped to think, they might have ordered magic by the pound, or by the day, but a lakeful of magic causes extraordinary and unexpected events involving mermaids, pirates, and cannibals. By the end of vacation, with an unwilling sly old turtle, and Ali Baba's forty thieves, they help stepfather Mr. Smith save his failing bookstore in a most surprising way.
Description from Open Library.
Books like Magic by the Lake (Tales of Magic #3)
See why they match
Half Magic (Tales of Magic #1)Edward EagerA clever, sun-drenched summer adventure where magic is a logic puzzle and every wish comes with a hilarious catch.
Jennifer Murdley's ToadBruce CovilleA quirky, magical romp where the most ordinary days are upended by extraordinary, amphibious secrets.
The Ogre DownstairsDiana Wynne JonesA delightfully chaotic collision of prickly step-siblings, a tyrannical stepfather, and highly volatile magical chemistry.
The Wizard Comes to TownMercer MayerA cozy, magical mystery where everyday domestic life collides with whimsical disruptions.
Five Children and ItEdith NesbitA charmingly chaotic romp where magic is less about saving the world and more about surviving your own terrible ideas.
No Place for MagicE. D. BakerA charming and humorous fairy tale adventure where a resourceful princess must rely on her wits to save the day and rediscover the strength of her relationship.