Waiting for the Magic

SPOILER!!! First i would like to point out that this book is super cute especially if you like or believe in magic yourself. In waiting for the magic, There are two kids, William and Elinor and their father leaves them to their mother. Their mother then decides that bringing home a cat and four dogs will help the children feel better. These animals are unique in a way because they are able to communicate with people telepathically if they believe in magic but William doesnt believe in magic. How [...]

Lovely. Adorable. Heartwarming.

When William's father suddenly leaves the family, no one is sure he will come back. To cope, William's mother takes him and his sister Elinor to the animal shelter, where they adopt 4 dogs and a cat, to "replace his father." While the animals do provide a focus for their love and attention, both children worry that their father will never come back. When he does, Elinor immediately forgives, but William must come to terms with how he feels about his dad. This is a sweet story about family dynami [...]

Fantasy Novel:I love the magic in this book! Readers at any age should have their imaginations alive. And what kid doesn’t dream of communicating with their pets?! In this story, William and Elinor’s father leaves them so he can “find some magic” and write a book. He never wanted pets in the house, so one day their mom decides to take them to an animal shelter and adopt some pets to help them feel better about everything. These animals are special because they are able to communicate wit [...]

I realize that this is a children's book, and I was hooked at the start. I read, experienced the "magic" that animals bring to a family, broken when papa leaves for a while. I continued to read, as mom discovers a secret that leads to his return, and the family begins to mend and heal. But I still felt like I was waiting, even as the book ended, for the plot to reach a climax. It never really happened, and I don't feel like the main character, William, really resolved his conflict with his fathe [...]

smetimes u need a little read

I give two and a half stars to this book, and there's plenty about it that makes me want to round that rating up instead of down. The beautiful sensitivity of author Patricia MacLachlan's writing is as evident as in any of her greatest stories, and the characters seem to sparkle with a certain indescribable magic even while clearly being rooted in the same imperfect world in which we all live. Few other authors can pull off a trick like that, and I don't know if I can think of a single one that [...]

Honestly, I'm still not sure what I think about this one. It's cute, it's sweet, it's funny, it'sodd. I'll just say it: It has talking doggies. Telepathically talking doggies. William and Elinor's father just left. Again. Only this time was different. This time, he didn't slam the door on his way out. This time, he closed the door slowly, with just a >click<. This was significant to William (he's a smart boy). Their mother is so upset that she loads the kids in the car, drives straight to [...]

Waiting for the Magic tells a story about a fact of childhood that has become more and more prevalent in American culture. William and and Elinor's father leaves one night, unannounced and doesn't come back. This comes at a time in William's childhood where he is questioning whether or not magic exists. After his dad leaves, all magic is lost on him. His mother, in an attempt to keep the family together, decides that a pet is what is needed to bring her mopey kids back to life. The whole family [...]

This book is slightly longer than a beginning chapter book, the reading level seems pretty low, but the topics covered will resonant with older readers. This would make this a good hi-low reader despite the cover which may not appeal to older readers.This is a story of grief and forgiveness. William and Elinor's father leaves his family after fighting with their mother with no true explanation. The children and mother are shocked and saddened. The mother heads to the pound and adopts all of the [...]

There's no better word for this book than magical. I shouldn't be surprised, because Patricia MacLachlan enthralls us every time, but I just loved, loved, loved this book. William is the story teller. He's a boy whose mom and dad separate at the beginning of the story, and he's truly hurt, but won't admit how much. The very same day his mom takes him and his sister to the pound where they get, not one dog, but four dogs and a cat. That's when the magic begins. You will love these dogs and cat as [...]

I cannot categorize this book. Maybe I need a shelf that says "MacLaclan." It's already a shorthand, for me, anyway, of exquisitely written stories, slight on plot, but huge in character, emotion, and import. Not much "happens" in a MacLachlan story--and EVERYTHING happens. Waiting for the Magic is peopled with Mom, Elinor and William. "Papa" has left and no one else knows much what to do til Mama adopts ALL the dogs (and a cat) at the local human league. The four dogs and cat settle in and help [...]

Wow. This book is not at all what I expected. My son read this when he was in elementary school, and my daughter found it on her own at the library and read it as well. They both told me they loved it and I should read it. It surprised me quite a bit when it was about a family struggling to say together and also talking dogs. ? (but not like Disney dogsally). Like most of MacLachlan's books it is evokes emotions and is rather poetic. Very different, short, and fascinating. My daughter has now re [...]

A story with 4 dogs in it--and none of them die? FIVE STARS, right there!This is hands down my favorite 3rd-5th grade book I've read this year. Wonderful, wonderful story about a family on the brink of being torn apart (but does not go into much detail--perfect for this age group) when Jane, the mom, goes to the nearest animal shelter and takes home four (yes 4!) dogs (and a cat!) to help the family get through this very tough time.What Jane doesn't realize is the animals can talk--but only if y [...]

When William and Elinor's Father leaves them, their mother takes them to the animal shelter to pick out a dog and cat. They come home with four dogs named Bitty, Neo, Grace, and Bryn along with a cat named Lula who can talk to the children because of a magic they have with them. Can their magic make their household peaceful and take away the pain of their father leaving? Read and find out for yourself.This was a pretty good read that I read at the ebooks library through my local library and the [...]

I LOVE this book! This is the story of a family whose father walks out, and then back into their lives, and the four very dissimilar adopted dogs (and one cat) who help them all to heal. I love this mature, funny, touching story of family relationships and forgiveness. I love that the parents work on healing their differences, and I love the touch of magic that the dogs bring into their lives. The dogs are as much the main characters as the humans. This story made me want to go to the animal she [...]

Typical Patricia MacLachlan-pulls at your heartstrings. When Elinor's and William's father leaves, their mother adopts 4 dogs and a cat to ease their suffering. They become 'magical' companions as they cope with their father's absence. Loved the charcoal pencil illustrations-especially p.126. Made me want to adopt a dog cause PM made it seem like caring for animals was so simple-until I reminded myself of the barking, accidents, home destruction, shedding fur, smell, poop pick-up, and endless ve [...]

This was an incredibly sweet and satisfying story about how four dogs and a cat brought a family back together. The writing is excellent, and the characters- including the dogs all have distinct personalities. It made me laugh and it made me cry- not from sadness, but because I was moved by the story. It's an absolutely worthwile read for those who are slightly too young to appreciate Spinelli or Laurel Snyder, but the same amount of magic.

One of my students, Evelyn, recommended this book to me. She brought it into the library and asked if I had read it, then loaned me her copy. I showed her all the other books by Patricia MacLachlan and she chose one to check out and take with her.Thanks for the loan, Evelyn, You were right - I really enjoyed it!

Like all of MacLachlan's books, this one is very sweet. But it's a little too "magical" for my liking. The dogs can talk? To everyone? Hrm and the reasoning behind some of the characters motivations leaves a lot to be desired. But, at it's core, it's a story about family (as almost all of hers are) and it does okay for itself.

I'm not much of an animal lover (despite having 2 dogs) but I find it odd I've recently read this title and Ask Bob and both were satisfying reads and I enjoyed both for guiding the reader to a place of happiness for the characters.

Talking dogs help heal a family. Need I say more?Sarah

I adore Patricia MacLachlan's writing ever since Sarah, Plain and Tall. This story is just magical with its set of pets that bring wholeness to this family. Just perfect for Grades 1-4.

A broken family comes together through the magic of talking dogs and a cat who seem to be wiser than their human family.

Bacaan ringan otw mudik.

Love Patricia MacLachlan, but I am not a fan of realistic story lines with talking animals.

When I started this one I thought I was NOT going to like it. Happily it changed my mind, it was magical.

Super sweet heart-warming story.

Excellent juvenile fiction. Sweet, sweet story about a family survivng and over coming difficult circumstances with the help of four loveable dogs and one very patient cat.

Adorable! Read it with a small child.