Any Which Wall

It was the Edward Eager books that first set me on a hunt for books about magic. I devoured those books, and I was desperate to read more. I'd have been delighted to find Any Which Wall on the library shelf when I was eight.

I enjoyed the story. I did. It's about a magical wall, and who wouldn't love to find a magical wall that will take you to other times and other places? But a couple of things put me off the story including the segment with Merlin. I just don't think contemporary kids would become friends with Merlin as he was depicted. Guinevere was also offputting. And I didn't like the segment where the two friends reunite. Even the quirky librarian was a little disappointing, to be honest. The storyline felt completely stolen from Eager.

What I did enjoy were all the asides where the author talks directly to the reader (which is, of course, an Eager strategy that I don't mind was borrowed). I liked the ending, too; the ending was satisfying.