With her parents away, when her baby-sitter has to help with an emergency at home, Sally is sent over to stay with her Great Aunt Sarah. They've never met, Sarah having been living in California since shortly after Sally's birth, and Aunt Sarah's big, old house in the shadow of new apartment buildings is intimidating. Her aunt seems stern too, and unused to children. Soon enough, however, Sally learns about a mystery surrounding a lost rag doll and enjoys exploring the attic of the old house.

This was a really sweet, simple story for early chapter book readers. Involving old houses, attic trunks full of old things and obscure Victoriana (melodeons?!), I would have loved this as a child. As an adult, it is harmless but lacked oomph in storytelling. To anyone older than 7 the mystery is transparent and the trips back in time a little underwhelming as they are all prefigured in a discovered diary. Still, a good addition to my doll story shelf. ( )

Just as beautiful now as it was back then.

This was a favorite of mine as a child. It is a beautiful magical story and a pure delight to reread.

I love rereading books from my past. You never know how you will feel about them in present day. Will they still retain that sense of wonder?

Magic Elizabeth can and does. It is such a sweet and wonderful story that I'd urge adults to read it, especially t hose who never discovered this wonderful piece of literature in their childhood. ( )

Oh, what a sweet story. Lots of mysteries and no explanations (except for how Elizabeth disappeared - but why the dreams?), but it fits in the story and explanations really aren't needed. The changes of view are beautifully expressed - the first night with the scary house, the gray morning, the sunny days... It's fun to read. I don't think I need to reread it, but I'm very glad I've read it now. ( )

One of the few books from my childhood that I've held onto, which means I really liked it. ( )

I still have my Scholastic paperback, and the other day I found another copy. Which, naturally, I picked up because there are still people who have not read this book and I will help them with their plight.

No surprises here, just delightful time travel/dreams, dolls, cats and crochety old aunties. Any book that starts with a woebegone little girl being dropped off by her sweet caretaker because of an emergency is going to be wonderful- or so it has always proven.

The events of this book unfold in just a few short days, though it seemed longer when I read it as a kid. There an old diary, some old-fashioned clothes, and a mystery. Plus a melodeon! And a tea set. This is where I first ran into the gas plant, as well.

Well worth seeking out.
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