Magic Tree House is a popular children's book series written by Mary Pope Osborne. The 30th book in the series is called "Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve." The story follows the adventures of siblings Jack and Annie as they travel through time and space using their magical tree house. In this particular book, Jack and Annie find themselves in a haunted castle on Halloween night. They are on a mission to find the secrets of happiness and bring them back to Merlin the magician. The siblings have to unravel a riddle from the wizard, who appears in the form of a ghost.
The siblings have to unravel a riddle from the wizard, who appears in the form of a ghost. As they explore the haunted castle, Jack and Annie encounter knights, secret passages, ghosts, and other spooky creatures. They must solve puzzles and riddles to progress through the castle and uncover the secrets they seek.
30 years and 65 books later, Mary Pope Osborne reflects on ‘Magic Tree House’
I am who I am, and I do what I do, in part because of Mary Pope Osborne. As a kid, I remember beelining straight for the "Magic Tree House" section of the library's children's section, knowing that any book that I chose would transport me.
In the chapter books, brother-sister duo Jack and Annie travel through space and time, and encounter the kind of things I wished I learned about in elementary school, like saber tooth tigers and ancient civilizations.
The "Magic Tree House" novels were the first books I turned to after I could read on my own. Funny and imaginative, they my gateway to a lifelong love of reading.
Mary Pope Osborne, who has been writing the series for 30 years and was working on her 65th installment at the time of this interview, said I'm hardly the first person who has told her that "Magic Tree House" impacted them.
Speaking to TODAY, Osborne recalled a particularly memorable encounter with a reader, now all grown up.
At the time, she was in a parking lot grocery store. A fan, she said, started calling her name and ran across the parking lot. "She burst into tears and said, 'You got me through a troubled childhood,'" she said. "It was so powerful, that one line: 'You got me through a troubled childhood.'"
Osborne recently compiled her wisdom of 30 years of writing the “Magic Tree House” series in a book called “Memories and Life Lessons from the Magic Tree House” out earlier this year.
Below, we caught up with Osborne about a lifetime with Jack and Annie.
Courtesy Mary Pope Osborne
Along the way, they also learn about the history and traditions of Halloween. Throughout the book, the siblings face challenges and must work together to overcome them. They rely on their courage, intelligence, and teamwork to overcome the obstacles and fulfill their quest. The story is filled with suspense, excitement, and a hint of mystery, which keeps readers engaged and eager to find out what happens next. "Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve" is a thrilling installment in the Magic Tree House series. It combines history, adventure, and fantasy, making it an exciting read for children. The book not only entertains but also educates young readers about different historical time periods and cultural traditions. Overall, Magic Tree House book 30 takes readers on a captivating journey through time and space. It provides an engaging reading experience that encourages imagination, curiosity, and a love for books. "Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve" is a wonderful addition to the series and will surely delight young readers who enjoy adventure and magic..
Reviews for "Discovering hidden treasures in Magic Treehouse #30"
1. John - 2/5 - I have been a fan of the Magic Treehouse series for years, but I was greatly disappointed with Magic Treehouse 30. The story felt repetitive and lacked the excitement and adventure that I have come to expect from this series. The characters seemed dull and the plot was uninspired. Overall, I found it to be a letdown and not up to the standards of the previous books in the series.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I had high hopes for Magic Treehouse 30, but it turned out to be a complete disappointment. The writing felt rushed and the storyline was weak. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development. The book lacked the magic and creativity that made the earlier books so enjoyable. I would not recommend this book to any fans of the series.
3. Emma - 2/5 - As a long-time fan of the Magic Treehouse series, I was excited to read Magic Treehouse 30. However, I found it to be one of the weakest books in the series. The plot was predictable and lacked the depth and complexity that I have come to expect from this series. The writing was also uninspiring and lacked the engaging storytelling that made the previous books so enjoyable. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend this book to others.
4. Michael - 2/5 - Magic Treehouse 30 was a letdown for me. The story felt forced and lacked the charm and adventure that the earlier books in the series had. The characters were forgettable and the plot was uninteresting. I found myself struggling to get through the book and was ultimately disappointed with the overall experience. I would not recommend this book to fans of the series.