( O ) Books

Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 1-4: Dinosaurs Before Dark, The Knight at Dawn, Mummies in the Morning, and Pirates Past Noon

Mary Pope Osborne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 98 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

We like the stories, but the grammar gives this teacher-mom a serious headache! 2 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pros: Fine for read aloud. Exciting stories for young (K-1st) grade children who are ready for chapter books.

Cons: Serious grammar and usage problems that may rub off on the children's own writing. Poorly-developed plotlines with not enough "meat" for the age level of children they are meant to target.

I have used these books as read-aloud for my two children. Currently I am reading them aloud at nighttime to our daughter, age six. Our daughter reads on a second-grade level, however, and has started reading these books independently, only coming to me for help with words she cannot sound out.

I didn't mind the grammar and phrasing problems when using these books strictly as read aloud, because I could correct the problems on my own as I read. However, Mary Pope Osborn seems to really enjoy the use of incomplete sentences, particularly those starting with "and". As a former second grade teacher this really, really gives me a nervous twitch in my eye! This is only the most egregious and obvious of the grammar and phrasing problems that, for whatever reason, go unnoticed by Ms. Osborn's editors and by Ms. Osborn herself.

I won't go ahead and give specific examples, since this has been well covered by previous reviewers. However, I do want to add my voice to the voices of those parents and educators who worry that this modeling of incorrect grammar may well rub off on young fans of the series. When I was teaching second grade, the students would have been expected to catch and then edit these type of mistakes out of their Writer's Workshop stories by about mid-January. I certainly expect a published author to be able to have as much respect for grammar and readability as my second grade students! I can respect an author's "style" to a degree, but I do believe that an author of children's literature should at least use correct grammar rather than "dumbing down" the sentences in what I suspect is a misguided attempt to make them easier for the children to read. (Children are smarter -- and better educated -- than you think, Ms. Osborn!)

On a positive note, the stories do keep our daughter engaged and excited, as they did our son when he was her age. However, the plots are extremely simplistic, bare bones, just plain not well developed. The actual reading level appears to be that of an average late first to second grade reader, yet my experience is that second graders expect a bit more "meat" to their stories. I know that by late second grade our son had, for example, moved on to the Chronicles of Narnia. The Magic Tree House set is, in my opinion, excellent for read aloud for kindergarten and first grade readers and perhaps as independent reading for first graders, struggling second graders, or those children who have problems with attention span. However, the teacher or parent of any independent reader will have to take care that Ms. Pope's writing style does not negatively impact the emerging writing skills of the child.

In short... Ms. Osborn, please correct your grammar!

Editorial Review:

Get ready for a world of adventure with the first four titles in the beloved Magic Tree House series!

Jack and his little sister Annie are just two regular kids from Frog Creek, Pennsylvania. Then they discover a mysterious tree house packed with all sorts of books...and their lives are never the same! Soon they are traveling through time and space in the magic tree house and having amazing adventures. Whether it's watching baby dinosaurs hatch, finding a secret passage in a castle, helping a ghost queen in an Egyptian pyramid, or finding pirate treasure readers won't want to miss a single story!

Magic Tree House #40: Eve of the Emperor Penguin (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

Mary Pope Osborne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Excellent New Addition to the Series or Standalone Children's Book 5 out of 5 stars.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.

I have read many of the Magic Treehouse books while recently "studying" for my 6-year old's Magic Treehouse Birthday Party. She really loves this series, reads them ravenously, and plays "Jack and Annie" constantly with her friends. I read around 15 of them, up until now the first part of the series (this is my first of the Merlin Missions), and have found the books to be cute, quick and entertaining.

I have never found anything in them that concerns me for my daughter to be reading, which is more than I can say for many of the series out there for young children, whose main characters are often wisecracking, sibling-hating and constantly in trouble. I love the way Jack and Annie play together and protect one another, even while they don't always agree and have different styles and strengths.

In any case, regarding this specific book, I think it is a wonderful addition to the Magic Tree House Series, or if you child is new to the series, an excellent introduction. My daughter just got it for her birthday.. and I gave it a quick read because now that I've read so many, I wanted to see what the Merlin Missions were all about.

I was quite impressed. This book seemed a little bit more developed and engrossing than some of the early stories. Not in a way that is too difficult for kids, but just more substantial. It was a good mix of fantasy and fact, like usual, with easily digestible facts and lessons, in this case on penguins and the Antarctic. This book was doubly interesting in that it was a culmination of a 4-book set (the magic treehouse books have 4 book sets that circle around a particular theme or type of mission -- in this one they are trying to find 4 secrets of happiness for Merlin who is exceedingly sad and have been asked by Morgan le Fay, the owner of the treehouse, to help). The secrets they share -- nature, curiosity, compassion and taking care of others -- provide just lovely messages for kids.

There are a few scary parts, when they fall down a cliff, or when a predatory bird is attacking a penguin, but Osborne has a gift for having adventure in her stories without the "scary" aspect being too much for kids. My daughter will hardly watch anything these days because of mean or scary characters, and that extends to some books -- but these stories always engage her without frightening her.

If your kids already like the Magic Tree House series, definitely add this one to their collection. If MTH is new for your children, this is a great one to start with. It stands alone nicely (she has a short prologue which explains things well up to this point), and may get your child interested in reading the earlier books. What's so great about Magic Tree House is that it is wonderful for boys and for girls. And it really creates a gentle exposure to history and character often natural science, but in a fun way. And for those kids that love the topic of the book, there are non-fiction research guides, very easily accessible for 5-6 years and up with lots more information on those topic (for this book, the companion research guide is Penguins and Antarctica (Magic Tree House Rsrch Gdes(R)).

This book makes a wonderful gift for any early to mid-level reader. If your child is an early reader, it would be great to read with them. For a mid-level reader, they can spread it out a chapter at a time, or like my daughter, tear through it in an afternoon. Great job, Mary Pope Osborne. Please keep them coming!!!

Editorial Review:

JACK AND ANNIE continue their quest for the secrets of happiness—secrets they need to save Merlin. This time, the Magic Tree House takes them to the one continent they haven’t visited before: Antarctica! What can they hope to learn about happiness in such a barren place? Only the penguins know for sure . . . Jack and Annie are about to find out!

Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 5-8: Night of the Ninjas, Afternoon on the Amazon, Sunset of the Sabertooth, and Midnight on the Moon

Mary Pope Osborne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 36 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

very good 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

my son really likes these books, the shipping was fast and easy. just click and read. no need to spend gas money when you can shop with ease at home.

kids choice 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Kids of all ages love these books,both boys and girls find this series of stories fun and enjoyable.

Great books for young readers! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

My 7-year-old can't get enough of these Magic Tree House Books. He loves to read them and his reading improves with each book. I highly recommend these books to any parent or grandparent!

great books 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Books were in good quality and arrived in time expected. My kids love all the Magic Tree House books.

Magic Tree House, box 5 - 8 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Thought it was a good product for our grandson, but he did not like it.

Editorial Review:

This Magic Tree House set including the following titles:

Night of the Ninjas (Magic Tree House, No. 5)
Afternoon on the Amazon (Magic Tree House, No. 6)
Sunset of the Sabertooth (Magic Tree House, No. 7)
Midnight on the Moon. (Magic Tree House, No. 8)

Island of the Blue Dolphins (Illustrated)

Scott O'Dell

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 609 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Just didn't excite me 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

My babysitter got this out for my 8 year old daughter who loves to read, and I started reading it first to see if she would like it. I remember reading it as a child but couldn't remember whether I liked it or not. As an adult I found it somewhat interesting but not captivating. Nothing much happens, and I didn't think it was written in a way which would excite my daughter. I found myself wishing Scott ODell were a better writer--the descriptions of how food or clothing is made from natural products are so thin, compared to the Little House books (which are masterpieces). Since so many people seem to love it, I guess you just have to check it out of the library and see.

Dolphin book for school 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

We received this book very quickly, in the described condition. It was an earlier print of the book with a smaller font, but overall it was a great
buying experience.

Editorial Review:

This newly illustrated edition of Island of the Blue Dolphins, a Newbery Award-winning novel published in 1960, includes fourteen full-color paintings by a master watercolorist.

Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 9-12: Dolphins at Daybreak, Ghost Town at Sundown, Lions at Lunchtime, and Polar Bears Past Bedtime

Mary Pope Osborne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 33 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Magic Tree House boxed set 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The seven year old for whom this gift was intended was absolutely thrilled with this boxed set. She is an excellent reader and has already finished previous sets of this Magic Tree House item. She was quite excited when she tore off the wrapping paper.Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 9-12: Dolphins at Daybreak / Ghost Town at Sundown / Lions at Lunchtime / Polar Bears Past Bedtime

Magic Tree House 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

My son adores this series. The books arrived on time and they can only benefit him.

Great buy! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The set was delivered fast, and in great condition. My daughter is enjoying the books. Will buy more from you!

Editorial Review:

The Magic Tree House adventures continue in books 9—12. Morgan the magical librarian of Camelot challenges Jack and Annie to discover the answers to four riddles as they travel under the sea to the Wild West, the African plains, and the frozen Arctic. If they succeed, they will become Master Librarians! Books in this set include:Dolphins at Daybreak (#9)Ghost Town at Sundown (#10) Lions at Lunchtime (#11) Polar Bears past Bedtime (#12) Magic Tree House Books #9—12.

Christmas in Camelot (Magic Tree House, No. 29)

Mary Pope Osborne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Magic Treehouse Series 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The magic treehouse series has been and continues to be a wonderful series for my son. Educational and interesting, these books capture his attention and inspire his imagination. It is so rewarding to see your child be enthusiastic about reading stories and reading in general. I have and will continue to suggest these books to other parents.

Book-Series 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Book arrived in a timely manner. Was suprised it didn't have a dust cover as that was not stated in advertisement. However, book was in good shape.

Editorial Review:

The Magic Tree House series has become a staple for inspiring kids to read. Christmas in Camelot is a very special Magic Tree House book. Here, author Mary Pope Osborne uses the literary skills for which she’s known to create a longer, more in-depth story featuring the characters kids have come to love. The result is magical: a fast-paced but detailed, easy-to-read story. Jack and Annie go on a quest to save Camelot, a quest that will prove to a beleaguered King Arthur that children and imagination really can make a difference.

Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 13-16: Vacation Under the Volcano, Day of the Dragon King, Viking Ships at Sunrise, and Hour of the Olympics

Mary Pope Osborne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Great book for the young reader 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I bought the Magic Tree House books 1 through 16 for my eight year old daughter. She loves them. She reads a book in two days. She can relate to the stories and has an easy time explaining what she read. This is a great start-reader for children. Mary Pope uses a healthy combination of every-day words and with some more advanced verbiage. Though my daugter doesn't always understand the big words, she is introduced to them. This challenges her comprehension. I would recommend this series to parents of children ages 7 to 9.

Editorial Review:

MORGAN, THE MAGICAL librarian of Camelot, sends Jack and Annie to find lost stories in the ancient worlds of Roman Pompeii, imperial China, Dark Age Ireland, and classical Greece. Will the books help them in their darkest hours? This boxed set includes four exciting Magic Tree House adventures: #13: Vacation Under the Volcano, #14: Day of the Dragon King, #15: Viking Ships at Sunrise, and #16: Hour of the Olympics, as well as a Magic Tree House poster.

Thanksgiving on Thursday (Magic Tree House #27)

Mary Pope Osborne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

The Magic Tree house 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

The story startes out when Jack and his little sister Annie are on their way to a place called Plymouth. At first they had no idea where they were until Jack was hung after he accidently steped into a trap; they finally found out where they were.

First, this story takes place during the time of the pilgrims coming to the United States from England on a ship well-known as the Mayflower. The story's sequence startes when Jack and Annie are introduced to all the pilgrims and an indian; his name Squanto. Sooner on in the story Jack and Annie learn how to hunt and fish for there own food. While in a women's house Jack learned how to cook over the fire. But, they run into a problem; they didn't know how things ran around there. But a women nice enough told them just that. Her nam was Prinscilla.

Last in the story they have wonderful and unforgiving diner. Also known as the First Thanksgiving Feast. Jack and Annie enjoyed their time in Plymouth because they have learned as much as I did.

I thought that this book was an awesome experience for me because I have learned alot about the pilgrims and what it was like back in the day.

Editorial Review:

The Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie back to the eve of the first Thanksgiving. There they meet the Pilgrims as well as Squanto, a Native American who helped them. The story offers an age-appropriate, in-depth picture of what life was really like for early settlers, as well as the usual Magic Tree House adventure and excitement.

Magic Tree House #39: Dark Day in the Deep Sea (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

Mary Pope Osborne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

An even more exciting expedition 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Mary Pope Osborne's 39th addition to her 'Magic Tree House' series, DARK DAY IN THE DEEP SEA tells of Jack and Annie, who have to find one of the four secrets of happiness to help save Merlin the magician. But when they find themselves on a misty island, they wonder how they can find anything - and when a pirate ship turns out to be the world's first floating science lab, an even more exciting expedition results.

One of better stories from Merlin Series 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

We have the complete series of MTH books, both the simpler paperback ones and the Merlin Series hardcovers. Currently my (almost) 8 year old son is ensconced in the books, but my 11 year old read this book as well just because she wanted to say she's read them all (granted, it took her less than an hour to finish the whole thing, but she is reading at the 7th grade level so no surprise). Both really enjoyed the story, said it is one of the better story lines in the Merlin Series, interesting, creative, etc. Highly recommend.

Editorial Review:

Jack and Annie continue their quest for the secrets of happiness–secrets they need if they’re going to save Merlin. But when the magic tree house leads them to a tiny deserted island in the middle of the ocean, they’re not sure who needs help more–Merlin or themselves! The brother and sister team are soon rescued by a ship of explorers and scientists. But the crew isn’t looking for the secrets of happiness. The crew is looking for . . . a sea monster!

Dinosaurs Before Dark / The Knight at Dawn / Mummies in the Morning / Pirates Past Noon / Night of the Ninjas / Afternoon on the Amazon / Sunset of the ... / Midnight on the Moon (Magic Tree House)

Mary Pope Osborne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 47 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Read by the author
5 hours, 40 mintues
5 CD's

Just in time for the holidays enjoy eight Magic Tree House chapter books in a special CD gift set. As an added bonus, listen to an interview with the author and reader, Mary Pope Osborne.

These eight stories, currently available as two retail volumes on cassette with a combines price of $36.00, are being offered now along with the interview in a 5-CD set at a special price of $30.00.

Dinosaurs Before Dark
Jack and his younger sister, Annie, stumble upon a tree house filled with books. Before Jack and Annie can figure out the mystery of the tree house, it whisks them back to the prehistoric past. Now they have to figure out how to get home. Can they do it before dark, or will they be become a dinosaur’s dinner?
The Knight at Dawn
Peacocks for dinner and boys in skirts. That’s what Jack and Annie find when the Magic Tree House transports them back to the Middle Ages for another wild adventure. They find themselves in the middle of an enormous castle and can hear the beginnings of a feast under way in the Great Hall. But Jack and Annie aren’t exactly welcome guests!
Mummies in the Morning
Jack and Annie don’t need another mummy. But that’s what they get when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to ancient Egypt after reading a book on the same subject. There they find themselves in a pyramid face to face with a long dead queen named Hutepi. Will Jack and Annie be able to help her, or will they end up as mummies themselves?
Pirates Past Noon
It’s a veritable treasure trove of trouble when the Magic Tree House carries Jack and Annie back to the days of deserted islands, secret maps, and dangerous pirates! Will they discover the hidden buried treasure, or will they face the possibility of walking the plank?
Night of the Ninjas
Have you ever met a real live ninja? Jack and Annie do when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to ancient Japan in search of enchantress Morgan le Fay. When they arrive, they find themselves in the cave of a ninja master. Will they learn the secrets of the ninja? Or will the evil samurai warriors get them first?
Afternoon on the Amazon
Vampire bats and killer ants? That's what Jack and Annie are about to run into when the Magic Tree House whisks them back in time to a South American Rain Forest in search of the elusive Morgan le Fay. It's not long before they get hopelessly lost on the Amazon River. Will they be able to find their way back to the tree house before they are trampled by stampeding killer ants?
Sunset of the Sabertooth
The Ice Age is very cool . . . for two kids in bathing suits! Jack and Annie nearly freeze when the Magic Tree House whisks them back into the time of cave people and woolly mammoths. But nothing can stop them from having another wild adventure–not even a sabertooth tiger!
Midnight on the Moon
Three . . . two . . . one . . . BLAST OFF! The Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie off to the moon–and the future. Their mission? To find the last “M” thing that will free Morgan from the spell. Can they do it before the air in their oxygen tank runs out? Will they mysterious moon man help them? And why is Peanut the mouse acting so strange?