The Magic Tree House franchise is a popular series of children's books written by Mary Pope Osborne. The books follow the adventures of siblings Jack and Annie as they travel through time and space in a magical tree house. Each book features a different historical or fictional setting, allowing readers to learn about different time periods and cultures. The 13th book in the Magic Tree House franchise is titled "Vacation Under the Volcano." In this book, Jack and Annie are transported back to ancient Rome just before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. They explore the bustling city of Pompeii and experience the daily life of its inhabitants.
For a moment, I thought I'd failed. The Shield in front of me looked like one solid object; It was when I checked behind me that I saw a small, translucent dome the size of my palm, hanging just behind my middle back.
By weaving in meaningful educational and conservation experiences into our trips, Epic Road pioneered transformative travel, creating extraordinary, mind-expansive journeys that inspire, captivate, and thrill. I m creating a shield and then separating it into different pieces, but this ends up breaking the shield, even though the Shield Charm is known to be able to interlink with other shields.
They explore the bustling city of Pompeii and experience the daily life of its inhabitants. While there, they witness the chaos caused by the volcanic eruption and must find a way to escape before it's too late. The main idea of "Vacation Under the Volcano" is the importance of resilience and problem-solving in the face of adversity.
Educational Travel
Educational holidays are becoming increasingly more popular among people from developed countries. The traditional beach and do nothing holiday will not face extinction any time soon but the new wave of educational holidays is asking for room in the tourism industry. This is a consequence of the digital revolution. “Far away” places are just a click away from you (and cheaper air transport has contributed to this) and this gives you the opportunity to learn about the history of other lands and see how they live without having to rely on TV documentaries.
Also, as the smart TVs, smartphones and other devices allow us to choose what we want to learn about; this has created a thirst for exploring unchartered territories. Also, if something defines millennials the most, is seeking instant gratification. “I know what I want, and I want it right now”, ranging from a hot meal delivered almost instantly to your house, a cab on the go or language lessons on your phone.
There are more people now trying to find knowledge in other areas of life than in the formal education system. Why is that?
This week I had a conversation with a man in the Boston subway. Boston is the home of many elite universities in the United States such as Harvard, MIT and Tufts University. He asked me this question: Why are libraries free? – I found the question strange. Why would you charge money to enter a library? After all, it is a public good. That was my answer. They are free because they are a public good. He then said, why do some students pay $50,000 per year for education when we have libraries full of knowledge and they are free? I don’t understand this but it is foolish. I thought about it and I acknowledged that in some way they are not paying for knowledge but for branding on their resumes. A friend from the Bahamas put it like this to me “Because that is where you forge alliances early, before entering the theatre of politics and industry. It is not so much a pursuit of knowledge, as an indoctrination into the global fiefdom”.
If that is the case, the real pursuit of knowledge will mainly happen outside the formal education system and this is contributing to the surge of educational holidays. In a large city for instance, for what an American pays for ten weeks (forty hours) of Spanish lessons in their hometown, they can get the same hours of lessons in a two week holiday, with a private tutor, in a native Spanish speaking country plus accommodation, meals, airport transfers and cultural activities.
And this is very interesting. Historically, before mass tourism was invented in the twentieth century, the traveller had three main reasons to travel. Business (public or private), education or religious pilgrimage. Travellers were not considered tourists. They did not travel to another country to stay in luxury accommodation near the beach and expected children entertainment or buffet dinners. They did it to learn. Whether it was the “Grand Tour” across different European nations, which was a complement to the formal education of the English nobility or extended travel to the Far East, the main reason was the pursuit of knowledge. And it seems that as the XIX century travellers, families in the digital era of XXI century are complementing once again their formal education with cultural holidays.
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page” – Agustine of Hippo
Written by Victor Delgado
Jack and Annie are faced with a life-threatening situation and must use their knowledge and resourcefulness to find a way out. Through their bravery and determination, they are able to save themselves and return safely to their tree house. This book is a great addition to the Magic Tree House franchise because it not only entertains young readers with its exciting adventure, but also educates them about the ancient Roman civilization and the catastrophic event of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and an interest in history and science. Overall, the 13th book in the Magic Tree House franchise, "Vacation Under the Volcano," is a captivating and educational read for children. It teaches important life lessons about resilience and problem-solving, while also sparking curiosity and interest in history and science..
Reviews for "From Pyramids to Olympic Games: Exploring Ancient Greece in the 13th Book of the Magic Tree House Franchise"
1. Sarah Johnson - 2 stars:
As a longtime fan of the Magic Tree House series, I was utterly disappointed with the 13th book. The story felt repetitive and lacked the excitement and adventure that made the earlier books so captivating. The characters seemed flat and lacked development, and the plot felt forced and predictable. Overall, it was a lackluster addition to an otherwise wonderful series.
2. Michael Thompson - 1 star:
I found the 13th book in the Magic Tree House franchise to be incredibly boring. The writing felt rushed and lacking in depth, leaving me uninterested in the story. The plot was unoriginal, following a similar formula to previous books, and the characters felt stagnant. I had high hopes for this installment, but it failed to live up to my expectations.
3. Emily Davis - 2 stars:
I was a huge fan of the Magic Tree House series, but the 13th book left me disappointed. The story felt disjointed and confusing, with abrupt transitions that made it hard to follow. The pacing was off, and the action scenes were lackluster. The writing itself also seemed to have taken a dip in quality, with awkward dialogue and weak descriptions. Overall, it was a letdown compared to the earlier books in the series.
4. Jason Mitchell - 2 stars:
The 13th book in the Magic Tree House franchise fell flat for me. The plot was predictable and lacked any surprises or twists that could have made it more engaging. The characters also failed to evolve, making it difficult to connect with them. While the series started off strong, this installment felt like a forced addition without much thought or creativity. It left me feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.