Accidental Magic; or Don't Tell All You Know
The story revolves around a young boy named Francis who discovers he has magical powers after accidentally making his aunt disappear. He learns to control his abilities with the help of a mysterious old man and uses them to help those in need, while keeping his newfound powers a secret from the rest of the world.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1913 · Genre: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure · 11,155 words
First lines
Quentin de Ward was rather a nice little boy, but he had never been with other little boys, and that made him in some ways a little different from other little boys. His father was in India, and he and his mother lived in a little house in the New Forest. The house -- it was a cottage really, but even a cottage is a house, isn't it? -- was very pretty and thatched and had a porch covered with honeysuckle and ivy and white roses, and straight red hollyhocks were trained to stand up in a row against the south wall of it. The two lived quite alone, and as they had no one else to talk to they talked to each other a good deal. Mrs. de Ward read a great many books, and she used to tell Quentin about them afterwards. They were usually books about out of the way things, for Mrs. de Ward was interested in all the things that people are not quite sure about -- the things that are hidden and secret, wonderful and mysterious -- the things people make discoveries about. So that when the two were having their tea on the little brick terrace in front of the hollyhocks, with the white cloth flapping in the breeze, and the wasps hovering round the jam-pot, it was no uncommon thing for Quentin to say thickly through his bread and jam: --
What this Textopian page supports
Accidental Magic; or Don't Tell All You Know is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edith Nesbit, dated 1913 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Edith Nesbit
- Date: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure
- Length: 11,155 words
- Structure: 1 section, 229 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Accidental Magic; or Don't Tell All You Know by Edith Nesbit
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Accidental Magic; or Don't Tell All You Know?
- How does this novel by Edith Nesbit fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- En Tout Cas by Edith Nesbit
- Grandsire Triples by Edith Nesbit
- The Magic City by Edith Nesbit
- White Magic by Edith Nesbit
- Magic by Edith Nesbit
- The Dyers Dog by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves magical elements that defy the laws of nature.
- Children's Literature — The story is written in a manner that is suitable and engaging for young readers.
- Adventure — The plot involves a series of exciting and risky experiences.
Tags
Fantasy · Children's Literature · Magic Realism · Adventure · Mystery · Family · Friendship · Growing Up · Self-Discovery · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary