Magic Tree House #13: Vacation Under the Volcano is a children's fantasy book written by Mary Pope Osborne. This book, part of the Magic Tree House series, follows the adventures of Jack and Annie, two young siblings who have the ability to travel through time and space using a magical tree house. In this particular book, Jack and Annie are whisked away to ancient Rome, just as the volcano Mount Vesuvius is about to erupt. The main idea of Vacation Under the Volcano is the excitement and danger that comes with time travel and exploring a historical event. As Jack and Annie explore ancient Rome, they encounter various challenges and obstacles, including a fierce gladiator and the threat of the erupting volcano. They must use their knowledge and resourcefulness to find a way back to the safety of the Magic Tree House and return home.
It’s not all sugar and spice at Basil’s Bakery, where seventeen-year-old Aurelie is an overworked, underappreciated apprentice. Still, the job offers stability, which no-nonsense Aurelie values highly, so she keeps her head down and doesn’t dare to dream big—until a stranger walks in and hands her a set of Seeking stones. In a country where Seeking was old-fashioned even before magic went out of style, it’s a rare skill, but Aurelie has it.
The stranger, who turns out to be a remarkably bothersome bounty hunter named Iliana, asks for Aurelie s help rescuing someone from the dangerous Underwood which sounds suspiciously like an adventure. Classic fairy-tale settings, compelling mysteries and a charismatic cast of characters make Something Close to Magic an entertaining, fast-paced read, and its ending strikes the perfect balance between satisfaction and the promise of more adventures.
They must use their knowledge and resourcefulness to find a way back to the safety of the Magic Tree House and return home. Along the way, the siblings also learn about the culture and history of ancient Rome, adding an educational element to the story. Throughout the book, Osborne incorporates descriptive language and engaging storytelling to captivate young readers.
Something Close to Magic
Emma Mills’ Something Close to Magic will remind readers of The Princess Bride: a fantastical tale with relationships that hit close to home.
Share this Article:Aurelie possesses the rare skill of Seeking, the art of finding people, but she’s given up on magic—it’s an outdated practice in the kingdom, anyway. Being a baker’s apprentice isn’t her dream, but it’s safe and stable, and she’d be content to remain a baker forever. That is, until a bounty hunter named Iliana visits her shop and asks for help in her quest to rescue Prince Hapless. Aurelie joins Iliana and her troll associate, Quad, and gets swept up into a kingdomwide adventure involving strange creatures, mysterious assassins and royal conspiracies. Their odyssey takes Aurelie far from the bakery and calls into question whether she’s living the life she really wants.
While author Emma Mills takes inspiration from classic fairy tales in Something Close to Magic, she also challenges traditional fantasy tropes. Magic, for example, is seen as antiquated and pointless, and those who practice magic are largely dismissed by society. And Prince Hapless is the story’s damsel in distress, needing the female characters to save him. Mills also gives each character more depth than a traditional fable would, diving into Aurelie’s complex emotions about her future, Hapless’ tense relationship with his role as a thirdborn royal son, Iliana’s hidden past and Quad’s perspective on humanity. Nuanced, profound scenes mingle with lighter, humorous moments, making the characters feel real and their growth believable. It’s easy to root for their success as a team after watching the steady development of their relationships.
Mills’ mastery of language is on full display here, with fun, clever prose and dialogue that are bound to make readers laugh out loud. The banter between characters feels natural, with conversations showcasing Aurelie’s tenacity, Iliana’s wit, Hapless’ charm and Quad’s candor.
Classic fairy-tale settings, compelling mysteries and a charismatic cast of characters make Something Close to Magic an entertaining, fast-paced read, and its ending strikes the perfect balance between satisfaction and the promise of more adventures. Readers will be reminded of The Princess Bride; Something Close to Magic may be a fantastical tale, but it’s also one with relationships that hit close to home.
While author Emma Mills takes inspiration from classic fairy tales in Something Close to Magic, she also challenges traditional fantasy tropes. Magic, for example, is seen as antiquated and pointless, and those who practice magic are largely dismissed by society. And Prince Hapless is the story’s damsel in distress, needing the female characters to save him. Mills also gives each character more depth than a traditional fable would, diving into Aurelie’s complex emotions about her future, Hapless’ tense relationship with his role as a thirdborn royal son, Iliana’s hidden past and Quad’s perspective on humanity. Nuanced, profound scenes mingle with lighter, humorous moments, making the characters feel real and their growth believable. It’s easy to root for their success as a team after watching the steady development of their relationships.
The fast-paced nature of the plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next. The inclusion of historical facts adds depth to the story and encourages readers to further explore the time period. Magic Tree House #13: Vacation Under the Volcano is a thrilling and educational children's book that combines fantasy, adventure, and history. It teaches children about ancient Rome while keeping them entertained with a gripping plot..
Reviews for "Ancient Wonders Explored in Magic Tree House 13"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic Tree House 13." The plot felt rushed and underdeveloped, and I couldn't connect with the characters at all. The writing style also felt immature and lacked depth. Overall, it just didn't live up to the previous books in the series.
2. David - 2 stars - I found "Magic Tree House 13" to be quite boring and unengaging. The storyline was predictable and there were no surprises or excitement. The dialogue between the characters was also dull and lacked any real emotion. I was expecting more from this book, especially given its previous good reviews, but it just didn't deliver.
3. Sarah - 1 star - I hated "Magic Tree House 13." The plot was lacking and felt choppy, making it hard to follow and stay engaged. The characters were flat and one-dimensional, and their actions and decisions didn't make sense. The writing style was also repetitive and uninspired. Overall, this book was a big disappointment for me.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I regretted picking up "Magic Tree House 13." The story was unoriginal and felt like a rehash of previous books in the series. The writing was simplistic and lacked any real depth or complexity. The illustrations were also poorly done and didn't add anything to the overall story. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and wouldn't recommend it.
5. Jennifer - 1 star - "Magic Tree House 13" was a complete waste of my time. The plot was confusing and lacked coherence, making it hard to understand what was happening. The characters were forgettable and had no real personality. The writing style was also choppy and incoherent, making it a struggle to read. I was extremely disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.