The Knight at Dawn is the second book in the Magic Tree House series written by Mary Pope Osborne. It was first published in 1993. The story follows the adventures of Jack and Annie, two siblings who discover a magical tree house filled with books that can transport them to different times and places. In this installment, they find themselves in the Middle Ages. The book begins with Jack and Annie standing in front of the Magic Tree House, which is filled with books about different historical periods. They choose a book about knights and head back in time to the Middle Ages.
Let's start with the animal spirit guide. It is a spirit, who comes in the dreams, or while meditations, or during the magical practices to warn, help, or to test you. His a mentor from the spiritual world who takes the form of an animal to contact you. Usually, the spirit guide is the one, who chooses to contact you, but you also may feel a sort of connection with the different animals in certain moments of your life. You need to be careful not to miss the signs of the spiritual world.
As for totem - the word itself comes from the Ojibwa language and refers to the animal or the other object that is the sign or the emblem of the clan. Firebird wisdom, insight, knowledge, resurrection or reincarnation, healing and purification Yale Strength underestimated, defence of home, stubbornness and tenacity Hydra poison and regeneration, life and death, threat, danger, strength found in unity, revenge Sphinx Wisdom, intelligence, knowledge, serenity; protection, magic, riddles and mysteries Manticore Hatred, bloodlust, savagery, disease, death, carrion, jealousy and hoarding Mandowla Strength, straightforwardness.
They choose a book about knights and head back in time to the Middle Ages. When they arrive, they find themselves in a dark forest. They meet a boy named Teddy who tells them that they are in the land of Camelot.
Familiar, Totem, and Animal Spirit guide
Animals have always attracted and amazed people. This connection to the animal world is particularly strong for shamans, healers, witches, and everyone else, who practices magic.
However, the globalization and the cultural exchange lead to certain confusion with the terms.Familiar, totem, and animal spirit guide - all these terms refer to the animal helpers, who are acting in both the physical and spiritual world. But what is the difference? Is that ok to call cougar a familiar and hamster a totem?
Let's start with the animal spirit guide. It is a spirit, who comes in the dreams, or while meditations, or during the magical practices to warn, help, or to test you. His a mentor from the spiritual world who takes the form of an animal to contact you. Usually, the spirit guide is the one, who chooses to contact you, but you also may feel a sort of connection with the different animals in certain moments of your life. You need to be careful not to miss the signs of the spiritual world.
The term power animal comes from shamanism, that was spread across the globe from Siberia to Africa. In the spiritual journeys in the search of the healing, knowledge, or guidance shaman often was accompanied by the spirit of the certain animal who was leading and helping him. This animal is the extension of the shamans' personality and his guide. But even if you are not an initialized shaman, you still can have an animal you feel a connection with as a power animal.
As for totem - the word itself comes from the Ojibwa language and refers to the animal or the other object that is the sign or the emblem of the clan. Totem can be almost any natural object, that is believed to have blood ties to a clan, a family, or to an individual. There are different sorts of the totem - a wind, a river, a mount, a plant, a bird - but most often it is a real or a supernatural animal. In the ancient cultures across the globe (Slavic tribes in Eastern Europe, native tribes in North America, African tribes, etc.) the totemic animal was believed to be a wise ancestor of the family or clan. All other animals of that class were treated as blood relatives of the clan, who can help, guide, or protect you. Even today we can see totems as a mascot of the teams in all kinds of sport. Sometimes the word totem may refer to a representation of the totem animal - the totem pole, the head of the crocodile, the scull of the crow, or even the figure of the wolf.
And what is familiar? This word comes from the middle age France, and later spread across Western Europe and then the whole world. This word refers to a magical helper of the witch, the sorcerer, or of the healer. Commonly familiars were domestic animals like dogs, cats, horses, sheep, goats, or some wild animals local to the "witch", such as frogs, lizards, moths, birds. I have quoted the "witch" because familiars were tightly bound to the witch hunt in Europe and North America the women were tortured and slaughtered just for having a cat or a rat in the house. They don't even need to practice witchcraft to be accused. But let's go back to the familiars: unlike the spiritual guides or the totems, familiars were the helpers of the younger witches and servants to the more experienced ones. In the middle ages, it was commonly believed that the spirit helper (or a demon according to the Christian sources) inhabited the animal hosts, killing their own soul. In modern practices, familiars are the helpers of the witch and assist them in magical practices. By the way familiar is not only an animal but also a human.
Jack and Annie are excited to explore this new world and meet a real knight. They stumble upon a castle and decide to sneak inside. They are surprised to find that it is King Arthur's castle and the king himself is holding a feast. The siblings witness a knight being accused of stealing a sword. They decide to help the knight by finding the true culprit. With the help of a black cat named Merlin, Jack and Annie embark on a quest to solve the mystery. They discover that the knight's squire, a young boy named Peter, has stolen the sword to prove his loyalty to the knight. Jack and Annie convince Peter to return the sword and clear the knight's name. In return for their bravery, King Arthur knights Jack and Annie as honorary knights of the Round Table. They are given a token of their knightly status, a silver medal. With their mission accomplished, Jack and Annie return to the Magic Tree House and head home. The Knight at Dawn is a fast-paced and engaging story that introduces young readers to the fascinating world of knights and medieval times. It offers an exciting blend of history, mystery, and adventure. Through the characters of Jack and Annie, children can learn about bravery, loyalty, and the importance of doing the right thing. Overall, The Knight at Dawn is a captivating installment in the Magic Tree House series that is sure to ignite the imaginations of young readers. It combines elements of fantasy and history to create a thrilling and educational reading experience..
Reviews for "The Knight of the Magic Tree House: A symbol of hope and bravery"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "The Knight of the Dawn" to be a disappointing addition to the Magic Tree House series. The story felt rushed and lacked depth. The characters were underdeveloped, and their actions did not always make sense. The plot had potential, but it failed to captivate me. Overall, I was left unsatisfied by this installment, and I would not recommend it to other readers.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I was really looking forward to reading "The Knight of the Dawn," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was simplistic and repetitive, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. The pacing was off, with crucial moments feeling rushed and unimportant scenes dragging on. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. I was hoping for an exciting adventure, but instead, I was left with a dull and forgettable read.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "The Knight of the Dawn" is not one of the strongest books in the Magic Tree House series. The storyline lacked originality and felt predictable. The main characters, Jack and Annie, didn't show much growth or learn any significant lessons throughout the book. I felt like I was reading a recycled plot, and it left me feeling unenthused. While the book is still suitable for young readers, I would not recommend it to those looking for a thrilling and imaginative adventure.
4. Mark - 1 star - I have been a long-time fan of the Magic Tree House series, but "The Knight of the Dawn" left me disappointed. The plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence. The transitions between scenes were abrupt, leaving me confused and struggling to follow the story. Additionally, the character development was shallow, and I couldn't connect with the protagonists. Overall, this installment is a letdown compared to previous books in the series, and I hope the next one will be more engaging.
5. Samantha - 2 stars - I found "The Knight of the Dawn" to be a mediocre addition to the Magic Tree House series. The writing lacked depth and descriptive language, leaving me feeling detached from the story. The historical context was minimal, and I didn't learn much from the book. The pacing was uneven, with moments of action followed by tedious moments of little importance. While the book is suitable for younger readers, I believe older readers may find it lacking in substance.