Magic Tree House #170: Hurry Up, Houdini! In the 170th installment of the Magic Tree House series, titled "Hurry Up, Houdini!", Jack and Annie embark on another thrilling adventure in time. This time, they are transported back to 1908 in New York City, where they meet the famous magician Harry Houdini. As soon as they arrive, they witness Houdini performing one of his most dangerous tricks – the Water Torture Cell. However, something goes wrong, and Houdini finds himself in real danger. Jack and Annie, who always seem to arrive at just the right moment, rush to his aid. With their help, Houdini is saved, and in gratitude, he invites them to be his assistants for his upcoming show.
The sentence structure is extremely simplistic. The vocabulary is basic. And it just bugs me how much the author says “Jack and Annie” – when I read the books out loud to my kids I’m dying for a pronoun or two.
We have read aloud a few of them that the kids have picked up at the library, and I pepper in my own commentary about how it is never appropriate to leave the house without telling me, and point out what are true historical facts and what is myth. The mother of three little humans and one senior rescue dog believes in celebrating magic in the little things, the big loves, and the imperfect moments that make the most remarkable memories.
With their help, Houdini is saved, and in gratitude, he invites them to be his assistants for his upcoming show. Excited by the opportunity, Jack and Annie join Houdini on a whirlwind tour of his tricks and illusions, experiencing the magic firsthand. In the midst of the excitement, they also learn about Houdini's passion for exposing frauds and fake spiritualists.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly about Magic Tree House
Please don’t shoot the messenger. I’m going to try to provide a picky review of the Magic Tree House series. It feels impossible to provide an accurate Magic Tree House critique because the books are almost universally loved, but I’m going to try.
Do y’all have a thing that everyone seems to love, and you’re the only one who just doesn’t get it? For example, maybe you don’t like Nutella. That’s insane, because Nutella is amazing, but you Nutella-haters will definitely understand what I’m talking about.
People just go on and on about how good Nutella is, and when you ask for a recommendation about what to spread on toast, they keep saying, “Oh, Nutella is the greatest!”
And all you can do is smile and nod while in your head you think, “What are they thinking. I’ve tried it, it’s not that great.”
Well, that’s me and the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne. Everyone loves these books…except me.
I know, what am I thinking offering a Magic Tree House review to the internet? Magic Tree House books have been around for generations. Their popularity has never wavered over the years. Countless kids have discovered a love of reading because of these books. This series is an American institution, for crying out loud.
I know all of this. And I’m so thankful that it is a clean series that has introduced so many children to reading. That is a beautiful gift that Osborne has given to so many children! But I still wouldn’t personally recommend Magic Tree House books to read aloud to your family, and I’ll tell you why.
Together, they try to debunk a group of spiritualists who claim to have contact with the afterlife. Along the way, they learn about the illusions and sleight of hand that Houdini uses in his own performances. As their time in 1908 comes to an end, Jack and Annie must find a way back to the tree house. With the help of Houdini's magic, they return home, carrying with them the memories of their incredible adventure. "Hurry Up, Houdini!" is a thrilling and educational book that combines history, magic, and mystery. Throughout their journey, Jack and Annie learn about the art of illusion, perseverance, and the importance of discerning reality from fiction. Like other books in the series, "Hurry Up, Houdini!" blends fiction with historical facts, providing young readers with an exciting and educational experience. It is a great addition to the Magic Tree House collection, captivating readers with its magic and adventure..
Reviews for "Magic Tree House 170: Inspiring Curiosity and Wonder"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I have been a big fan of the Magic Tree House series, but I was extremely disappointed with "Magic tree house 170". The storyline felt repetitive and predictable, lacking the excitement and adventure that drew me to these books in the first place. Additionally, the characters seemed flat and underdeveloped, and I found it difficult to connect with their journey. Overall, the book failed to live up to my expectations and left me wanting more from the series.
2. Mark - 1 star - As an avid reader of the Magic Tree House series, I found "Magic tree house 170" to be a major letdown. The plot felt disjointed and rushed, with unrealistic and forced events that didn't make sense within the magical world the author created. The writing style felt choppy and lacked the depth and charm that I loved about the earlier books. The characters also seemed to deviate from their established personalities, making it hard to believe in their actions and decisions. Unfortunately, this book was a miss for me and I wouldn't recommend it to fellow fans of the series.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Magic tree house 170" as I have enjoyed previous books in the series, but I found myself disappointed. The plot felt formulaic and recycled, lacking the originality and creativity I've come to expect from the author. The dialogue also felt stiff and unnatural, making it hard to be fully engaged in the story. While the book did have a few moments of excitement, overall it failed to capture my attention and left me wanting a more captivating and engaging read.