Magic Tree House is a popular children's book series written by Mary Pope Osborne. The eighth book in the series is titled "Midnight on the Moon." In this installment, the main characters, Jack and Annie, travel to the moon in their magic tree house. In "Midnight on the Moon," Jack and Annie find themselves on a mission to help a computer engineer named Morgan le Fay. Morgan tells them that she needs a special object from the moon in order to break a spell that has been cast on her. Using their trusty tree house, the siblings make their way to outer space and land on the moon.
CEO Palmer Proctor of Ameris Bank, which federal officials say has nearly $25 billion in assets and operates in nine states across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic, said in a statement, “We strongly disagree with any suggestion that we have engaged in discriminatory conduct.” Proctor said the bank cooperated with the investigation and reached the agreement in part “because we share the Department’s goal of expanding access to homeownership in underserved areas.”
CEO Palmer Proctor of Ameris Bank, which federal officials say has nearly 25 billion in assets and operates in nine states across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic, said in a statement, We strongly disagree with any suggestion that we have engaged in discriminatory conduct. When families can t access credit to achieve homeownership, they lose an opportunity to share in this country s prosperity, Garland said at a news conference in Jacksonville announcing the settlement.
Using their trusty tree house, the siblings make their way to outer space and land on the moon. Once on the moon, Jack and Annie must navigate the lunar landscape and face various challenges. They encounter low gravity, which allows them to jump and float effortlessly.
The government secures a $9 million settlement with Ameris Bank over alleged redlining in Florida
Attorney General Merrick Garland appears before a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (J. Scott Applewhite, Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department has secured a $9 million settlement with Ameris Bank over allegations that it avoided underwriting mortgages in predominately Black and Latino communities in Jacksonville, Florida, and discouraged people there from getting home loans.
The bank denied violating fair lending laws and said it wanted to avoid litigation by agreeing to the deal, which does not include civil monetary penalties.
It’s the latest settlement over a practice known as redlining, which the Biden administration is tackling through a new task force that earlier this year reached the largest agreement of its kind in the department's history.
Between 2016 and 2021, the Atlanta-based Ameris Bank's home lending was focused disproportionately on mostly white areas of Jacksonville while other banks approved loans at three times the rate Ameris did, the government said.
The bank has never operated a branch in a majority Black and Hispanic neighborhood, and in one-third of those areas it did not receive a single application over the six-year period, even though other banks did, Attorney General Merrick Garland said.
“Redlining has a significant impact on the health and wealth of these communities. Homeownership has been one of the most effective ways that Americans have built wealth in our country. When families can’t access credit to achieve homeownership, they lose an opportunity to share in this country’s prosperity,” Garland said at a news conference in Jacksonville announcing the settlement.
CEO Palmer Proctor of Ameris Bank, which federal officials say has nearly $25 billion in assets and operates in nine states across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic, said in a statement, “We strongly disagree with any suggestion that we have engaged in discriminatory conduct.” Proctor said the bank cooperated with the investigation and reached the agreement in part “because we share the Department’s goal of expanding access to homeownership in underserved areas.”
Garland has prioritized civil rights prosecutions since becoming attorney general in 2021, and the current administration has put a higher priority on redlining cases than before. The anti-redlining effort has now secured $107 million in relief, including the Ameris settlement, which a judge must approve.
A $31 million settlement with Los Angeles-based City National in January was the largest for the department.
The practice of redlining has continued across the country and the long-term effects are still felt today, despite a half-century of laws designed to combat it. Homes in historically redlined communities are still worth less than homes elsewhere, and a Black family’s average net worth is a fraction of a typical white household's.
The Ameris case is the first brought by the department in Florida, said Roger Handberg, the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida. “For far too long, redlining has negatively impacted communities of color across our country,” he said.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said combating redlining “is one of the most important strategies for ensuring equal economic opportunity today.”
Ameris Bank will invest $7.5 million in a loan subsidy fund made available to people in majority-minority neighborhoods under the settlement and spend a total of $1.5 million on outreach and community partnerships, as well as open a new branch in those neighborhoods, along with other requirements as part of the settlement.
Associated Press writer Ken Sweet in New York contributed to this report.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Garland has prioritized civil rights prosecutions since becoming attorney general in 2021, and the current administration has put a higher priority on redlining cases than before. The anti-redlining effort has now secured $107 million in relief, including the Ameris settlement, which a judge must approve.
The siblings also learn about the moon's extreme temperatures and the lack of air and water. It becomes clear to them that survival on the moon would be impossible without proper spacesuits and equipment. While exploring, Jack and Annie stumble upon a moon base, where they meet astronauts who are conducting research. The astronauts are surprised to find two visitors from Earth and share their knowledge and experiences with the young adventurers. The siblings learn about the Apollo missions and the first human landing on the moon. With the help of the astronauts, Jack and Annie manage to retrieve the special object Morgan needs. They return to the tree house and deliver it to her. Morgan is overjoyed and breaks the spell that had been cast on her. "Midnight on the Moon" is an educational and captivating adventure that introduces young readers to the wonders of space and the significance of the moon landing. It combines fantasy elements with real historical events, allowing children to learn while being entertained. The book inspires curiosity about science and sparks the imagination of its readers..
Reviews for "The Magic Tree House 8 and the Importance of Time"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic Tree House 8". I found the plot to be repetitive and predictable. It felt like the author was just recycling the same ideas from previous books in the series. The characters also lacked depth and development, making it hard for me to connect with them. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this installment and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 3 stars - "Magic Tree House 8" was okay, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The story had potential, but it felt rushed and incomplete. There were many unanswered questions, and I was left wanting more. Additionally, I found the writing style to be lacking, with overly simplistic language and dialogue. While it's an easy read for young readers, I was hoping for more substance and complexity.
3. Emily - 2.5 stars - I have enjoyed previous books in the "Magic Tree House" series, but book 8 fell flat for me. The plot seemed disjointed and lacked a clear direction. I found myself getting bored and disinterested halfway through. The characters also didn't have the same charm and likability as in earlier books. Overall, it was a forgettable read and not one that I would recommend to others.
4. Mark - 2 stars - "Magic Tree House 8" was a letdown for me. The premise had potential, but the execution fell short. The adventure felt rushed and lacked excitement. I also struggled to connect with the main characters, Jack and Annie, as they seemed one-dimensional and lacking in personality. The writing style was simple, which may work for younger readers, but I was hoping for more depth. Overall, this book just didn't capture my attention or imagination.
5. Julia - 2.5 stars - I found "Magic Tree House 8" to be a mediocre addition to the series. The plot felt repetitive, following a similar structure to previous books, and lacked any surprises or twists. The dialogue was also lacking, with unnatural and unrealistic conversations between the characters. While the book is an easy read, it didn't captivate me like earlier installments. I would recommend skipping this one and moving on to other books in the series with more engaging storylines.