Magic Tree House books are a beloved series of children's chapter books written by Mary Pope Osborne. The main idea of these books is to take young readers on thrilling and educational adventures through time and space. The series follows the magical journeys of siblings Jack and Annie, who discover a mysterious tree house filled with books that can transport them to different historical periods and fantastical realms. Each book in the series features a different time period or setting, ranging from ancient Egypt to the Wild West, from Camelot to the African savannah. The books are not only entertaining but also highly educational, as they provide valuable insights into various cultures, traditions, and historical events. Young readers can learn about dinosaurs, mummies, knights, pirates, and much more, all while experiencing the excitement of a captivating story.
"We would be thrilled to use the Fact Trackers in our classrooms in conjunction with the matching Magic Tree House books to actively engage our students in all kinds of genres of reading. Your [MTH] books lend themselves nicely to cross-curricular co Read on
Your MTH books lend themselves nicely to cross-curricular connections in science, social-studies, history lessons, as well as springboards for great classroom discussions about author s purpose, historical fiction, and various other literary components of reading and writing. We would be thrilled to use the Fact Trackers in our classrooms in conjunction with the matching Magic Tree House books to actively engage our students in all kinds of genres of reading.
Young readers can learn about dinosaurs, mummies, knights, pirates, and much more, all while experiencing the excitement of a captivating story. The books are known for their engaging storytelling, fast-paced plots, and relatable characters. Despite their magical element, the stories often revolve around themes of friendship, bravery, perseverance, and the power of knowledge.
Magic tree house books
"Reading is the basic springboard for learning and books provide the lift off. opening up new worlds to everyone." - MPO
Mary discovered and was inspired by this artwork online back in 2012. After an in-depth search, our team was able to locate the artist, Anastasia, in Russia. With the help of a Russian translator and the publishing company, Eksmo, we were grateful to receive approval to use the image as a representation of Mary's Classroom Adventures Program.
The image serves as both an inspiration and a reminder that books can create hope, encourage children to use their imaginations, and to follow their dreams. For some, books can be a much needed escape from reality and proof that anything is possible, even in the most difficult situations.
"With books, children can travel, gain knowledge to overcome hardships, discover the best in themselves and use their talents to help others." - MPO
For Educators
Gift of Time
Achieving multiple common core standards with each fiction and nonfiction book in the series.
For Students
Gift of Books
Getting books into the hands of underserved children across the country.
RESOURCES
LESSON PLANS: MTH BOOKS & MERLIN MISSIONS FACT TRACKERS NONFICTION CURRICULUM KEY MTH BY SUBJECT READING LEVELS MTH PARTNERSVideos
- Mary Talks with Kyle Zimmer of First Book
- The Magic of Reading
- Thank You, Mary Pope Osborne!
- Classroom Adventures Program Intro
- Stages Theatre Company production of MTH "A Night in New Orleans
Teachers' Tales
"My first grade students got the opportunity to dress up as Egyptian characters and go back to the time of the Egyptians. After a series of lessons to support MUMMIES IN THE MORNING and the Fact Tracker, MUMMIES and PYRAMIDS, our cl Read on
— Ms. Cirillo, Moorpark, CA"My first grade students got the opportunity to dress up as Egyptian characters and go back to the time of the Egyptians. After a series of lessons to support MUMMIES IN THE MORNING and the Fact Tracker, MUMMIES and PYRAMIDS, our class created a Living Museum of Egyptian characters! I used lesson plans from this site to support the books I received through the Mary Pope Osborne's Gift of Books Grant. I loved picking and choosing lesson plans from this site according to the activities that were appropriate for my grade level."
— Ms. Cirillo, Moorpark, CA"We would be thrilled to use the Fact Trackers in our classrooms in conjunction with the matching Magic Tree House books to actively engage our students in all kinds of genres of reading. Your [MTH] books lend themselves nicely to cross-curricular co Read on
— Ms. J., Delevan Drive Elementary School, Los Angeles, CA"We would be thrilled to use the Fact Trackers in our classrooms in conjunction with the matching Magic Tree House books to actively engage our students in all kinds of genres of reading. Your [MTH] books lend themselves nicely to cross-curricular connections in science, social-studies, history lessons, as well as springboards for great classroom discussions about author's purpose, historical fiction, and various other literary components of reading and writing. There are so many valuable lesson plan resources on your website that is hard to choose just one! The teachers at [our school] have been working diligently to transition to the Common Core standards and capitalize on their students’ love of reading. Utilizing your lesson plans is a great springboard for our various grade levels to decide what works best for their individual students in terms of furthering their love of reading, comprehension, and thinking skills."
— Ms. J., Delevan Drive Elementary School, Los Angeles, CA"My students love reading Magic Tree House books. It is a way for them to travel all around the world with Jack and Annie and learn about important places and dates in history as they read. I love using these books in small guided reading groups with m Read on
Jack and Annie overcome challenges and solve puzzles throughout their adventures, teaching young readers important life lessons and encouraging them to explore the world and embrace learning. Magic Tree House books have become popular among children and parents alike due to their ability to foster a love of reading and learning. The series has over 60 books and counting, making it accessible for readers of all ages and interests. In conclusion, Magic Tree House books are a captivating and educational series that takes young readers on magical adventures through time and space. With their combination of entertainment and learning, these books have become a valuable resource for children's literature, encouraging a love for reading and exploration..
Reviews for "Exploring the Rainforest with The Magic Tree House Series"
- Emma - 2 stars - I found the Magic Tree House books to be extremely repetitive and predictable. The formula of Jack and Annie going to different time periods and solving a problem became stale after a few books. I was also disappointed with the lack of character development and depth. The main characters felt one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with them. Overall, I was underwhelmed by the series and wouldn't recommend it to others looking for more engaging and original children's books.
- Jason - 1 star - As an adult reading the Magic Tree House books to my kids, I was not impressed. The writing style felt juvenile and the plotlines simplistic. I was hoping for a series that would captivate both children and adults, but I found myself bored and uninterested. The dialogue between the characters was stilted and unrealistic, making it difficult to engage with the story. I would suggest exploring other children's book series that offer more depth and creativity.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I understand that the Magic Tree House series is targeted towards younger readers, but I found the books to be lacking in substance. The adventures Jack and Annie go on are often glossed over and don't provide enough details or explanations. The writing style also felt rushed and there was little time for readers to fully immerse themselves in the story. Additionally, some of the historical inaccuracies bothered me, as they could potentially mislead young readers. Overall, I wasn't impressed with the series and would recommend exploring other children's books that offer more educational value.
- Liam - 1 star - The Magic Tree House books were a disappointment for me. The repetitive structure of each book, with Jack and Annie finding a clue, going back in time, and solving a problem, quickly became tiresome. I was hoping for more variety and creativity in the storylines. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. I would advise looking for other children's book series that offer more imaginative and engaging storytelling.