Magic Tree House series are great books to encourage imagination and learn about social studies and science. In this particular book, Jack and Annie go back to medieval times and explore a castle and receive help from a knight, but who is the knight? I loved this series as a child and cannot wait to use this in my classroom. I would use this book when studying medieval times and knights. 

5 Stars

Lexile: 500L

Mary Pope Osborne has shaped the sense of adventure of two generations of children, and, not unlike the main characters, it was all from the touch of a book. The Magic Treehouse series is on the 2nd grade reading level and is excellent for an option of independent reading as well as working towards a reading goal.

Recently I decided to go on a binge of reading children stories. I was just in a nostalgic mood and ended up reading some books I never got around to reading when I was younger, and some that are newer published.

Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows, Sophie Blackall (Illustrator) 

#1 (4 stars)

I was browsing through the kid section of the overdrive library, because I was in the mood for some children/middle grade (possibly nostalgic stuff from my past) and I saw the cover for this book. I thought it looked cute, so I checked it out. I liked it. I think it was silly and fun, and of course cute. I'm in my 30s, but I like to believe I still have a firm grasp on my inner child. I can still relate to younger characters. In the case of these two, I can relate to their imagination and how they get along with family; especially annoying a sibling.

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The Adventures of Captain Underpants Dav Pilkey

#1 (5 stars)

I think this book is fun, silly, weird, but I can see why it is a hit or miss with some people. I enjoyed the artwork.

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Scream Street by Tommy Donbavand

Fang of the Vampire #1 (5 stars)

I thought this series looked interesting and it turned out pretty fun and cute.

Blood of the Witch #2 (4 stars)

I'm on the fence if I liked this one better than the first one or not. It was quite silly, but not in a bad way, and the author is obviously going with his own vampire lore of how vampires are made

At least they don't sparkle. ha ha

A fun, quick paced read.

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The Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne, Salvatore Murdocca (Illustrator)

Dinosaurs Before Dark #1 (4 stars)

I never read this series as a kid. It is just one of the ones I over looked and never thought about. But I thought this was cute and fun, especially for the age group it is intended for. The only reason adult me would give it a lower rating is because I would love more details and I believe even as a child reading this, more details couldn't hurt!

The Knight at Dawn #2 (3 Stars)

The only reason I give the volumes after #1 a 3 star instead of a 4 star is because of the repetitiveness. The summery of past books within the new story would be really helpful for a person who hasn't read the series in a long time. I will give this series that! So I understand why it happens, but it takes something from me as an adult reader.

However the books are cute and fun. I can relate to them, even as an adult, because I love books and would love to be in their shoes, to see all the worlds in the books, and who wouldn't want a magic tree house?

Mummies In The Morning #3 (3 Stars)

Now that I have finished the 3rd book in the series, I am starting to wonder... is the magic tree house really there, or are the children making up everything in their heads? Either way, I really like it!

Pirates Past Noon #4 (3 Stars)

So now we know who "M" is. I still wonder if the children are making up everything in their minds. Imagination is a powerful thing! Either way, this series is really fun. Sure, it's simple and short for adult readers, but that is completely fine by me! It is nice to sit down with some books without all the young adult drama. Also, I feel like these "children" books and other nostalgia type books are really good when you are in a reading slump.

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

#1 (4 stars)

I think I would have rated this higher if the kid hadn't been such a brat. I know kids can be bratty, but he seemed way over the top! I would even say he has a meanness to him and doesn't care what the coincidences of his actions are. I felt sorry for his so called best friend.

I do like diary format in books. I might read more in the series. I hope he grows as a character as the series goes on.

Any Magic Tree House book is always a hit with children. It was my favorite book as a kid. These are easy lesson books and even free read books. I would lov eto have this for the kids to choose to read. if we were to do a whole group it would be good tot teach on an ecosystem of a gorilla. This is on a 360L in the Lexile system.

Grade level Equivalent: 2.6

Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne in the Magic tree house series, is a great introduction to chapter books for young readers. The adventure Jack encounters with his kid sister, Annie, takes the students imagination on a fun filled quest that promises to keep any students interest. After Jack and Annie discover a tree house with a magical library, they choose a dinosaur book that takes them back to prehistoric times. Will they survive the dinosaurs? How will they get back? This is a great book to use in reading centers or read aloud.