SOLVED Young Adult Fantasy

[deamariella]

So I’m trying to remember this book that I read probably around 1999.

A group of siblings (I want to say 2 boys and 1 girl) are in this weird big place - like school or a weird relatives? And while poking around they find a ring that they joke is a magical wishing ring. And it does grant wishes! Because it turns out that it’s a ring that is whatever you think it is. A wish that was granted was, during a play the kids are putting on, the girl wishes that the “audience” of scarecrows they made were a real audience - and the scarecrows all being applauding her acting and having movement.

The ring also turns someone invisible, and turns someone into stone (while hiding inside a stone elephant or something?), and a whole host of other shenanigans.

The copy I read was a chapter book but also had some illustrations through it - I remember vividly a picture of the kids and a female friend searching for the ring which was missing in the girls room.

Edit: it appears to be “The Enchanted Castle” by Edith Nesbit

Comments

[rydra_wong]

Sounds like it could be an Edith Nesbit book -- The Enchanted Castle, maybe?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Enchanted_Castle

I think it has a stone dinosaur rather than a stone elephant.

[legionseagle]

I thought of E.Nesbit too; the Uglie-Wuglies scene is very vivid!

[deamariella]

Well holy cow you guys are fast and correct! According to wiki, that does seem to be accurate. Thanks so much!