Magic

The Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie off to the mountains of Africa. There, they run into a huge mountain gorilla! At first they don't know whether they should shake hands or turn tail. But the ominous-looking creature turns out to be surprisingly gentle. Not only that, the gorilla may be able to help them learn their next bit of magic, which Morgan has challenged them to do.

Jack and Annie go back in time to ancient Hawaii, where they learn to surf, dance the hula, and make poi. When the island is threatened by a tsunami, however, the two remember that they are there with instructions from Morgan, and they must "find a special magic" and build "a special kind of relationship" before it's too late.

The Magic Tree House series has become a staple for inspiring kids to read. Christmas in Camelot is a very special Magic Tree House book. Here, author Mary Pope Osborne uses the literary skills for which she's known to create a longer, more in-depth story featuring the characters kids have come to love. The result is magical: a fast-paced but detailed, easy-to-read story.

Jack and Annie had had adventures with Merlin, the ancient magician, before. Luckily, they have a young sorcerer, Teddy, to help them. Now, they found a seashell with a rhyme from Merlin asking them to help rescue the Sword of Light. Before they return home barefooted, they will explore underwater caves, meet a sea serpent, mystical selkies, and a huge Spider Queen.

Jack and Annie, joined by Teddy and Kathleen (from earlier books), travel in the Magic Tree House to a land of snow where the Ice Wizard has captured Morgan and Merlin. The four friends must find the Ice Wizard's missing eye...or is it really his heart that is missing?

Merlin has asked Jack and Annie to help on another Merlin Mission. This time they head back into history to Venice, Italy, in the 1700s. With the help of some new friends, a research book, and a mysterious rhyme from Merlin, the heroes will save the beautiful city from a flood!

Jack and Annie travel back in time to a desert in the Middle East at the behest of Merlin who has given them a rhyme to help on their mission. There they meet a Bedouin tribe and learn about the way that they live.

Merlin sends Jack and Annie on a mysterious mission to Paris, France, over a 100 years ago. There they must find four magicians and give them an urgent message from Merlin himself. When Jack and Annie land in Paris, they make their way to the 1889 World's Fair. Below the Eiffel Tower, built especially for the fair, there are thousands of exhibits from all over the world.

Jack and Annie are off on another Merlin Mission. This time, Merlin has sent them to rescue a beautiful, magical creature, the unicorn. But when they land in New York City during the Depression of the 1930s, Jack and Annie are confused. Where will they find a unicorn in a big city? And what about the blizzard that's burying New York in snow?

Merlin the Magician will not eat or sleep or speak to anyone in Camelot. What can be done? The enchantress Morgan knows who to ask for help: young Jack and Annie of Frog Creek, Pennsylvania! The brother-and-sister team quickly head off in the magic tree house on another magical and historical adventure. Their mission: discover one of the four secrets of happiness.

"McDonald has a wonderful sense of how eight-year-olds think and behave, and the irrepressible Judy is completely believable." (Booklist)

"Established fans and new readers will enjoy this adventure. Amusing black-and-white watercolors capture the humor and the girl's inimitable spirit. Prediction: another winner starring Judy Moody." (School Library Journal)

Strega Nona's meddling assistant Big Anthony is determined to prove to the townspeople his knowledge of the magic secrets contained in the pasta pot of Strega Nona. In so doing, he unleashes a torrent of pasta which threatens to engulf their little Italian town.