Edward Eager was born in and grew up in Toledo, Ohio. A Harvard graduate, Eager was a lifelong fan of L. Frank Baum's Oz series, and started writing children's books when he couldn’t find stories he wanted to read to his own son. In his books, Eager often acknowledges his debt to E. Nesbit, whom he thought of as the best children's author of all time.

Magic or Not? is the fifth book of the Tales of Magic series. Here, we meet Laura, James, and their wonderful new neighbors, Kip and Lydia, who wish up some summer adventures when the well in their new yard is more than they imagined.