General Books

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: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Excellent New Addition to the Series or Standalone Children's Book 5 out of 5 stars.
12 of 12 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 #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!

A Great and Terrible Beauty (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy)

Libba Bray

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 308 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy--jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel.

Gemma, 16, has had an unconventional upbringing in India, until the day she foresees her mother’s death in a black, swirling vision that turns out to be true. Sent back to England, she is enrolled at Spence, a girls’ academy with a mysterious burned-out East Wing. There Gemma is snubbed by powerful Felicity, beautiful Pippa, and even her own dumpy roommate Ann, until she blackmails herself and Ann into the treacherous clique. Gemma is distressed to find that she has been followed from India by Kartik, a beautiful young man who warns her to fight off the visions. Nevertheless, they continue, and one night she is led by a child-spirit to find a diary that reveals the secrets of a mystical Order. The clique soon finds a way to accompany Gemma to the other-world realms of her visions "for a bit of fun" and to taste the power they will never have as Victorian wives, but they discover that the delights of the realms are overwhelmed by a menace they cannot control. Gemma is left wi! th the knowledge that her role as the link between worlds leaves her with a mission to seek out the "others" and rebuild the Order. A Great and Terrible Beauty is an impressive first book in what should prove to be a fascinating trilogy. (Ages 12 up) –Patty Campbell

Mythology (Ologies)

Lady Hestia Evans

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Presenting the newest discovery in the series with the Midas touch — a mythical exploration fit for the gods

In the early nineteenth century, an English nobleman embarked on a tour of the sites of ancient Greece. He brought as his guide a primer on Greek myths written by his friend Lady Hestia Evans, a devotee of Lord Byron who had recently taken the same voyage. In the true Romantic spirit, Lady Hestia’s book was not only lavishly illustrated but also boasted many paper crafts and novelties, including a card game featuring the twelve Olympians, an oak-leaf oracle of Zeus, a pop-up Pandora’s box (with hope still inside), a booklet retelling the tale of Odysseus, a piece of the Golden Fleece, a gold OBOLOS coin to pay the ferryman on the River Styx, and many more flaps, foldouts, and other surprises. The nobleman added his own witty comments and drawings along the way, but seems to have wished for something odd at the Delphic oracle: as the book nears its end, it slowly begins to turn . . .to gold. Now, for lovers of Greek myths and those just discovering their timeless power, this fascinating volume is faithfully reproduced with all its Romantic ambience, clever wit and novelty features intact.

Egyptology

Ian Andrew, Dugald Steer

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 53 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

A new discovery from the publishers of DRAGONOLOGY!

Discover the wonders of ancient Egypt through a fascinating journal from a lost expedition - a treasure trove of fact and fantasy featuring a novelty element on every spread.

Here are just a few of EYGPTOLOGY's special features:

1) an extravagantly gilded cover, featuring a raised Horus hawk pendant with three encrusted gems

2) a playable game of Senet(ancient Egyptian checkers) including playing board, pieces, original-style dice, and rules

3) a souvenir booklet showing how to read simple hieroglyphs

4) a scrap of "mummy cloth"

5) a facsimile of the gilded mummy mask of King Tut

6) a gilded eye-of-Horus amulet with a "jewel"

7) fold-out maps

8) drawings and photographs

9) period postcards

10) a letter from the former Keeper of Antiquities at the British Museum, explaining which parts of this unique tale may be accepted as fact, which are guided by legend, and which reflect the author's delightful sense of fancy.

Blizzard of the Blue Moon (Magic Tree House, No. 36)

Mary Pope Osborne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Another Wonderful Book 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I read this wonderful book to myself the day I got it. I was thrileed and couldn't wait for the next book to come out. It takes place in New York City in 1938 during the Great Depression. jack and Annie have to find a unicorn. But how will they find one in a big city? Finally Jack and Annie find the unicorn, whose name is Dianthus. But just then two teenagers named Balor and Grinda burst in and try and take Dianthus. Jack and Annie escape with the unicorn, and stop in Central Park. There, Balor and Grinda show up, and Annie recites her favorite magic rhyme, Turn Into Ducks. Balor and Grinda turn into ducks.

Teddy and Kathleen, Merlin and Morgan, show up and the two other teenagers ride Dianthus home to Camelot. Jack and Annie travel home in the Magic Tree House, and merlin and Morgan take a ride around New York City.

For ANY fans of the magic tree house, MAGIC TREE HOUSE #36: BLIZZARD OF THE BLUE MOON, I reccomend you read this wonderful book. You will be so surprised that you read this book over and over again!

Editorial Review:

Jack and Annie are off on another Merlin Mission. This time, Merlin has sent them to rescue a beautiful magical creature—the unicorn. But when they land in New York City during the Depression of the 1930s, Jack and Annie are confused. Where will they find a unicorn in a big city?


From the Hardcover edition.

Magic Tree House #35: Night of the New Magicians (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

Mary Pope Osborne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Night of the New Magicians 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I would recommend this book to kids who like books that have magic, adventure, and information about other cultures. That is why I would recommend this book.

Editorial Review:

Merlin sends Jack and Annie on a mysterious mission to Paris, France, over a hundred years ago. There they must find four magicians and give them an urgent message from Merlin himself. When Jack and Annie land in Paris, they make their way to the 1889 World's Fair. Below the Eiffel Tower, built especially for the fair, there are thousands of exhibits from all over the world. But how will Jack and Annie find the magicians in the crowds of people? And who are the magicians anyway? Jack and Annie are about to find out in another adventure filled with history, magic, and amazing surprises!

In Night of the New Magicians, Mary Pope Osborne brings to life an amazing time in history that gave birth to many startling inventions and scientific discoveries that would change the world forever.

The paperback edition boasts all-new backmatter full of activities!

Little House 9 Book Box Set (Little House)

Laura Ingalls Wilder

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 151 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Fun Books 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I purchased these books for my eight year old daughter. We read all of them already. She loved them, and so did I. I was a little disappointed that there were no pictures at all. In the older version, there were some very beautiful pictures that helped bring understanding to some of the concepts of being a pioneer. Overall, this was a great purchase.

A Magical Wonderland 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 37 people found this review helpful.

"They're an inspirational source of literature that celebrates the turn of the century, the struggle of the American family and the bonds that held them together."

These books are straight garbage, a friend got them for me and they stink...I could totally pWn Pa Ingall's IRL.

Josh's review 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder is a whole series of books about a girl named Laura Ingalls Wilder. The books talk about some of the hardships Laura and her family faced. These books also tell about every thing that happened in her life from Wisconsin all the way to Kansas. The story of her life starts as a young girl and talks about her getting married as a young lady. The books tell how she changed and some of the places she went and even some of the people she met.
I like these books because the way these books were written because they were written so you fell like you are actually there. I also like these books because they tell what people had to go through in the 1800's. I read all these books and I liked them. If you read them you will like them too.

Editorial Review:

The original nine Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, featuring their fresh new photographic look, are available together in an attractive box set, just in time for the 75th Anniversary!

Rebel Angels (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy)

Libba Bray

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 119 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

In this sequel to the Victorian fantasy A Great and Terrible Beauty, Gemma continues to pursue her role as the one destined to bind the magic of the Realms and restore it to the Order--a mysterious group who have been overthrown by a rebellion. Gemma, Felicity and Ann, (her girlfriends at Spence Academy for Young Ladies), use magical power to transport themselves on visits from their corseted world to the visionary country of the Realms, with its strange beauty and menace. There they search for the lost Temple, the key to Gemma's mission, and comfort Pippa, their friend who has been left behind in the Realms. After these visits they bring back magical power for a short time to use in their own world. Meanwhile, Gemma is torn between her attraction to the exotic Kartik, the messenger from the opposing forces of the Rakshana, and the handsome but clueless Simon, a young man of good family who is courting her. The complicated plot thickens when Gemma discovers a woman in Bedlam madhouse who knows where to find the Temple; Ann shows signs of being enamored of Gemma's loutish brother Tom, and their father's addiction to laudanum lands him in an opium den. A large part of the enjoyment of this unusual fantasy comes from the Victorian milieu and its restrictive rules about the behavior of proper young ladies, as contrasted with the unimaginable possibilities of the Realms, where Gemma has power to confront gorgons and ghosts and the responsibility to save a world. (Ages 12 and up) --Patty Campbell

Magic Tree House #38: Monday with a Mad Genius (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

Mary Pope Osborne

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Monday with a Mad Genius 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book is a must have! I just bought this book for my 9 year old in the third grade and he loves it. This is the first book in this series he has read and is begging me to by each and every book in this series by this author. Every free minute he has he is reading this book and has almost finished the whole book in a couple of days!

a day with Leonardo 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Monday with a Mad Genius is a great book! It's part the great series Magic Tree House,
Written by Mary Pope Osborn. Monday with a Mad Genius is about two people named Jack and Annie. They go in their Magic Tree House and go on a huge journey to Florence, Italy.
There they meet LEONARDO DI VINCHI
And do a week's worth of things in only one
Day. They traveled to a hill to try out his so
Called "flyer" and later in the day Leonardo
Did a self portrait of a woman, and that painting
Is a real painting in real life and is one of the most famous paintings in the history of art. I
Think Mary was trying to say that she was
Really interested in the Renaissance period
And Leonardo Di Vinchi. And she was saying
That you can too, because the book tells you
A little about the time period. So if you like
Fiction books or if you like history (the Renaissance) or if you just like to learn new things you should read this book.


By, Craig

Editorial Review:

JACK AND ANNIE are on a mission to save Merlin from his sorrows! Charged with finding the second of four secrets of happiness, the brother-and-sister team travel back in the magic tree house to the period known as the Renaissance. This time, Jack and Annie will need more than a research book and a magic wand. They'll need help from one of the greatest minds of all time. What will they learn from Leonardo da Vinci?