The sixth installment of the Magic Tree House series, titled "Afternoon on the Amazon", takes readers on an exciting adventure into the depths of the Amazon rainforest. Jack and Annie, the main characters, receive a new mission from Morgan le Fay, the magical librarian, to find the secret of happiness. The siblings are taken to the rainforest through their magical tree house, which lands them in the dense jungle of the Amazon. As they explore the unfamiliar surroundings, they encounter various exotic creatures such as butterflies, monkeys, and giant snakes. Along their journey, they learn about the different layers of the rainforest and the importance of preserving this unique ecosystem. They also meet a group of local people called the Tucano, who help them on their quest.
Memories and Life Lessons from the Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne, illus. by Sal Murdocca. Random House, $16.99 Sept. 6 ISBN 978-0-593-48454-8
I have been hearing for decades from teachers and parents that many kids have learned to read on Magic Tree House books, and I am so happy to have been able to help empower kids through a love of reading. Osborne, who at the time had written folklore, mythology, and historical biographies for older children, recalled, I never thought I would ever have to learn how to write for younger readers.
They also meet a group of local people called the Tucano, who help them on their quest. Jack and Annie face many challenges, such as crossing a treacherous river and avoiding dangerous animals. They finally discover that the secret of happiness lies in the simple act of giving.
Magic Tree House Goes Graphic
Fans of Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House, as well as newcomers to the series, will have a chance to follow the adventures of its time-traveling protagonists in a new format next May, when Random House Books for Young Readers will publish Magic Tree House: The Graphic Novel: Dinosaurs Before Dark, the debut installment of a new series offering graphic novel adaptations of the original titles. Written by Osborne and adapted by Jenny Laird, the graphic novels will feature full-color illustrations by twin sisters and comic art duo Kelly and Nichole Matthews.
The new series will continue with The Knight at Dawn, due in fall 2021, and subsequent installments will follow at six-month intervals.
Heralded by parents, teachers, and librarians for its ability to spark a passion for reading in kids, the ongoing Magic Tree House series for readers ages six to nine spans more than 100 titles across four subseries and various expansions. Since its debut in 1992, the series has been translated into 35 languages and has sold upwards of 143 million books worldwide.
Laird, an award-winning playwright, is well versed in the Magic Tree House world. She and her husband, composer Randy Courts, collaborate with Will Osborne (Mary’s husband and co-author, with her sister Natalie Pope Boyce, of the Magic Tree House Fact Tracker series) on musical theater adaptations of the series’ books for Music Theater International’s Broadway Junior Collection. Currently the team is creating a Magic Tree House animated television series. Laird described adapting the Magic Tree House adventures into graphic novels as “pure joy. Mary’s books translate beautifully into other formats because they are masterfully constructed stories of ordinary kids in extraordinary circumstances, written from a deep, universal well of wisdom, humor, and humanity.”
“I’m so excited for Jack and Annie’s time travel adventures to reach a new generation of readers who are drawn to the thrilling visual experience that graphic novels provide,” Osborne said in a statement. “As with all of my books, I hope these adaptations will inspire children to learn more about world history and will instill in them a lifelong love of reading.”
Magic Tree House: The Graphic Novel: Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne, adapted by Jenny Laird, illus. by Kelly Matthews and Nichole Matthews. Random House, $16.99 May 4, 2021 ISBN 978-0-593-17468-5; $9.99 paper ISBN 978-0-593-17471-5.
Hayward was the editor for the three early 1990s Stepping Stones series, and as her assistant Loehr worked on them, focusing primarily on MTH, and by its fifth installment, she was the series’ principal editor. Though another editor, Jenna Lettice, has done the individual title editing for the most recent titles, Loehr still works very closely with Osborne, and is an unflagging champion of the series.
This realization changes their perspective and they return to the tree house with a newfound appreciation for the magic of generosity. "Afternoon on the Amazon" not only captivates readers with its thrilling storyline, but also educates them about the wonders of the Amazon rainforest and the power of kindness..
Reviews for "Discovering the magic of the Great Barrier Reef in the magic tree house"
1. Emily - 2 stars
I was quite disappointed with the sixth installment of the magic tree house series. It felt predictable and lacked the excitement and adventure that the previous books had. The plot was weak, and it didn't hold my attention as the others did. The characters also seemed flat and uninteresting, which made it difficult to connect with the story. Overall, it was a letdown compared to the previous books.
2. Jason - 3 stars
I found the sixth book of the magic tree house series to be just okay. It wasn't as engaging as the previous ones, and the storyline felt a bit repetitive. The magic and wonders of the previous books seemed to be missing in this one, and I didn't feel as captivated by the adventure. It's still a decent read for fans of the series, but it didn't meet my expectations.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
The sixth installment of the magic tree house series didn't live up to the hype for me. The story felt rushed and lacked depth, leaving me unsatisfied with the overall reading experience. The characters didn't have much development, and I didn't feel invested in their journey. I was hoping for another thrilling and magical adventure, but this book fell short. I wouldn't recommend it if you're expecting the same level of excitement as the previous books.