This dynamic book delves deeply into children’s responses to literature, and in particular, to works of fantasy. Through close observation over time of children’s natural and spontaneous reactions to books they are assigned or choose themselves, Nina Mikkelsen demonstrates how children and adults can engage as equal partners in learning, and also provides important insights into how adults can create settings in which children can experience the joy of literature. Featuring important implications for both literary theory and classroom practice, Powerful Magic: Explores how literature influences children’s lives and why children find fantasy so compelling. Focuses on what can be learned from children’s responses rather than on what adults might think is important to teach children about literature. Presents rare longitudinal research into children’s reading of texts, inside and outside the classroom. Provides an excellent model of the required kind of listening and thinking needed to study children’s responses to literature.