Home » Reading & Literature » Books for Kids » Magic Reading

Magic Reading

© Mary M. Alward

I first heard of the "Magic Tree House" books from my oldest grandson, Brandon, who was six years old at that time. He told me all about the books and was so excited. His description sounded so intriguing that I bought him a boxed set of six for Christmas, 2000.

The first book in the series is, "Dinosaurs Before Dark," This book introduces eight year-old Jack and his younger sister, Annie. While exploring the woods near their home, the kids discover a magic tree house filled with books. When Jack looks at a picture of a dinosaur, the magic tree house whisks them back 65 million years, to the Cretaceous Period. When they leave the tree house to explore, they are threatened by a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The suspense builds when the kids try to figure out how to return home. There is plenty of suspense and magic in this book. The information on dinosaurs will satisfy all young science buffs.

The second book in the series is, "Knights at Dawn." This is a must read if you love knights and castles. Here you can travel back in time to Camelot and the time of King Arthur. Jack and Annie are in the castle investigating when they are spotted. A knight dressed in armor, riding a horse comes to their rescue. The historical accuracy and customs of the era make the book come alive with suspense, mystery and intrigue.

"Mummies in the Morning," is book # 3 in the series. Jack and Annie are whisked away to ancient Egypt where they come fact to face with a mummy of a great queen. The book includes secret passages and lots of suspense and adventure. Jack and Annie learn to read hieroglyphs and if you enjoy a challenge, you can decipher them too.

There are 29 books in the Magic Tree House series. Book # 17, "Tonight on the Titanic," is a fantastic read. Jack, Annie and their dog, Teddy, are taken back in time to the deck of the Titanic on the night that it sank. Though the kids know they can't take anyone back with them, they are able to help a brother and sister find their way to the lifeboats before the Titanic sinks. This book is full of spine-tingling adventures that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you enjoy stories of the Old West, book # 18 is a must read. "Buffalo Before Breakfast," takes Jack and Annie back to the Great Plains during the 19th Century. Here they visit a Lakota Indian village and learn about customs, clothing and daily life in an Indian village. They learn about the buffalo hunt and what the buffalo means to the early Native American tribes. A riveting tale that will teach you about Native culture.