Magic Tree House #29: Christmas in Camelot In the 29th installment of the beloved Magic Tree House series, titled "Christmas in Camelot," author Mary Pope Osborne takes readers on an enchanting journey through time. The story follows siblings Jack and Annie as they embark on another thrilling adventure to the mythical land of Camelot. The book begins with Jack and Annie receiving an urgent message from the mysterious sorcerer, Merlin. They are summoned to help save Camelot from its impending doom. Eager to assist, the siblings use the magic tree house to travel back in time to the medieval era. As Jack and Annie arrive in Camelot, they are greeted by the magical creatures of the land and the legendary King Arthur himself.
However, both of these characters have an acknowledged weakness to gold; for Thorin it's a bit of a hang-up of Dwarves, and of course the Master is a rather contemptibly greedy chap.
It s easy to understand Fram being miffed by a bunch of Dwarves showing up and demanding his hard-won gold, but on the other hand he responds with almost comical diplomatic ineptitude; not dissimilar to Thorin s handling of the situation in The Hobbit. Over a century later, a prospector, a mountaineer, a truth-seeker and a way-shower band together to walk the same paths of those who went looking for Slumach s cursed gold and never returned.
As Jack and Annie arrive in Camelot, they are greeted by the magical creatures of the land and the legendary King Arthur himself. The pair quickly find themselves swept up in the preparations for the Christmas festivities, which are overshadowed by the dark presence of an evil knight named Sir Mordred. With the guidance of Merlin, Jack and Annie must embark on a quest to find four magical objects that will help defeat Sir Mordred and restore peace to Camelot.
Cursed Treasure and Reality TV Make “Reality Gold”
Teenage Riley Ozumi has been kicked out of school and turned into an unflattering meme. When she signs up for a Survivor-style reality show, Reality Gold, on isolated Black Rock Island, she hopes to redeem her name, make some cool new friends, and… also, secretly uncover the ancient treasure hidden on the island.
Legends say that Black Rock Island is cursed, and pretty soon disasters start happening. I might be a bit older than the target audience, because I found myself sympathizing with Deb, the producer and creator, as everything went wrong on the show. She was just trying to do her job in the face of injuries, broken equipment, an outbreak of food poisoning, a predatory host, and other disasters. Poor Deb was just trying to make trash TV!
Like any reality show, there are way too many characters in Reality Gold to keep track of in the beginning. But some are voted off with marbles at tribal councils, and mysterious accidents bump off other players, which thins the numbers a bit. Soon distinct personalities emerge. There’s a section when it seems like the competitors on the island are one-note Popular Girl, Angry Goth and Cute Baby, but this turns out to be part of Riley’s own growth and character development. This is about Riley’s ability to look past her own anger and see other people complex individuals, not about a writer’s failure to develop characters. Soon Riley, and the reader, can see the other competitors as full, complicated humans.
While the players compete in reality-show games, Riley and a few others are also searching for the treasure. Riley’s also trying to rehab her image, creating a very teenage contrast as she tries to look friendly (and not like the awful spoiler-girl meme) while she schemes up ways to stay on the island and keep searching for the treasure. But soon, whether it’s the island’s curse or an unscrupulous treasure hunter, it seems like the TV show games are the least of the players’ problems.
Haunted island and teen reality TV might seem like a surprising pairing, but there’s a lot to enjoy in this page-turning YA story.
Fans of this one will also like One to Watch, about a plus-size influencer on a dating show, of The Book of Essie about a teen daughter on a Christian family reality show with some bombshell secrets, and Reckless Girls for creepy, maybe-haunted island suspense.
While the players compete in reality-show games, Riley and a few others are also searching for the treasure. Riley’s also trying to rehab her image, creating a very teenage contrast as she tries to look friendly (and not like the awful spoiler-girl meme) while she schemes up ways to stay on the island and keep searching for the treasure. But soon, whether it’s the island’s curse or an unscrupulous treasure hunter, it seems like the TV show games are the least of the players’ problems.
Their journey takes them through treacherous terrains, dark forests, and hidden caves, testing their courage and resourcefulness. Throughout their adventure, the siblings encounter various characters from Arthurian legends, such as Sir Lancelot and Guinevere. They also learn important life lessons about friendship, bravery, and the true meaning of Christmas. As they unravel the mysteries of Camelot, Jack and Annie discover the importance of believing in oneself and the power of hope. The vivid descriptions and captivating storytelling of "Christmas in Camelot" capture the imagination and transport readers to a world of magic and chivalry. Osborne skillfully weaves historical facts with fantastical elements, creating an engaging and educational reading experience for children. "Christmas in Camelot" not only immerses readers in the enchanting world of Camelot, but it also highlights the spirit of Christmas and the importance of compassion and kindness. The book encourages children to embrace the holiday season's values and appreciate the joy of giving. In conclusion, "Christmas in Camelot" is a delightful addition to the Magic Tree House series. With its engaging storyline, memorable characters, and valuable life lessons, this book is sure to captivate young readers and leave them eagerly awaiting the next adventure in the magical tree house..
Reviews for "Discovering the Pyramids in Book 29 of Magic Tree House Series"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic Tree House 29". The storyline felt lacking and unoriginal, and I found it difficult to connect with the characters. The writing style was also quite repetitive and dull, making it hard to stay engaged throughout. Overall, I didn't find this installment of the series to be as captivating or enjoyable as some of the previous books.
2. John - 1/5 stars - I absolutely did not like "Magic Tree House 29". The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it hard to follow along and understand what was happening. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the characters lacked depth and relatability. I was expecting much more from this book, given the success of the series, but it fell far short of my expectations.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "Magic Tree House 29" was a letdown for me. The pacing was too slow, and I found myself losing interest quickly. The magic and excitement that I usually associate with the series was absent in this book. The overall story felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me unsatisfied as a reader. I hope that future books in the series will be more engaging and captivating.
4. Michael - 2/5 stars - I was not impressed with "Magic Tree House 29". The writing style was not engaging, and the characters lacked depth and growth throughout the story. The plot felt predictable and failed to hold my attention. Overall, I did not enjoy this book and would not recommend it to other readers.
5. Jennifer - 1/5 stars - "Magic Tree House 29" was a complete waste of my time. The plot was convoluted and made little sense, and the characters were uninteresting and lacked personality. The story dragged on without any real purpose, and I found myself wanting to put the book down multiple times. I was extremely disappointed with this installment of the series and would not recommend it to anyone.