Windy Night With Wild Horses (Magic Tree House, #39) by Mary Pope Osborne

Windy Night With Wild Horses (Magic Tree House, #39) by Mary Pope Osborne-112 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jack and Annie are taken in the Magic Tree House to Mongolia to be Eco-Volunteers. The time is 1992 when the first takhi are being reintroduced at an animal reserve. Jack and Annie stay with Tuya and her family in a yurt in a nearby nomad camp. The takhi are wild horses that were previously wiped out in the wild. They're the only truly wild horses left in the world. They can't be tamed or ridden. Will all the takhi survive the first night? Wolves wait nearby to prey on any who roam from their corral. I liked this one as I've liked all Magic Tree House books I've read so far.

Time of the Turtle King (Magic Tree House, #38) by Mary Pope Osborne

Time of the Turtle King (Magic Tree House, #38) by Mary Pope Osborne-112 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Annie spots an albatross flying around their house one September morning and wakes Jack up. They decide to explore and find out if the albatross is leading them to the Magic Tree House for another adventure. It is! Where will the Magic Tree House whisk them off to next? It turns out to be the Galapagos Islands, home of giant tortoises. A volcano recently erupted and a small population of rare giant tortoises is in danger. Will Jack and Annie be able to save the last giant tortoise in time? I enjoyed reading this one.

Rhinos at Recess (Magic Tree House, #37) by Mary Pope Osborne

Rhinos at Recess (Magic Tree House, #37) by Mary Pope Osborne-96 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Jack and Annie are whisked off to Africa in search of rhinos this time. They're at recess at school when Annie realizes she forgot her science project at home. On their way home, they feel the Magic Tree House calling them on a new adventure. They decide to heed the call and go on an adventure instead of going home to get Annie's science project. They must save a rhino called Rosie and her calf from poachers. Rhinos are endangered because of poachers. Will they save Rosie and her calf? Will Annie be able to complete her science project? I enjoyed this just like I have all Magic Tree House books. 

Sunlight on the Snow Leopard (Magic Tree House, #36) by Mary Pope Osborne

Sunlight on the Snow Leopard (Magic Tree House, #36) by Mary Pope Osborne-112 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Jack and Annie are off on another adventure. This time they're off to the Himalayas in Nepal to find the Gray Ghost and its secret. They're not sure exactly who or what the Gray Ghost is, but get help from a local villager who is bereft and feeling alone after the recent loss of his family. His name is Tenzin. When Jack and Annie read Morgan Le Fay's poem about the Gray Ghost to him he agrees to help them. Will Jack and Annie find the Gray Ghost or will it find them? What is its secret? I enjoyed reading this just as I have enjoyed every Magic Tree House book I've read. 

Hour of The Olympics (Magic Tree House #16) by Mary Pope Osborne

 Hour of The Olympics (Magic Tree House #16) by Mary Pope Osborne-80 pages

Jack and Annie go back in time to Ancient Greece to find a story for Morgan Le Fay's library in Camelot. It is time for the Olympics which are being held in Olympia. However, as soon as Jack and Annie arrive they realize women and girls aren't considered citizens and, therefore, Annie is not allowed to watch the Olympics. It is illegal for non-citizens to watch the Olympics or do many things men/citizens are allowed to do. Jack and Annie meet the philosopher, Plato, who takes Jack to see the Olympics. Annie tries to attend the Olympics and is caught, so she and Jack must flee Ancient Greece and return home to Frog Creek, Pennsylvania. They return and deliver the story to Morgan Le Fay. I have always enjoyed reading the Magic Tree House series. I enjoyed this one just like all the others before.

A Big Day for Baseball (Magic Tree House #29) by Mary Pope Osborne

A Big Day for Baseball (Magic Tree House #29) by Mary Pope Osborne-75 pages

I intended to read this for last month's challenge, but I ran out of time. I read this a couple of years ago, but it's a good book. Jack and Annie are sent back to April 15, 1947 to Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York. At first, they don't realize why they're there, but realize later that it was Opening Day for Major League Baseball and Jackie Robinson was making his debut as the first African-American player. I really enjoy the history and the adventure in the Magic Tree House books and this was a momentous day not just for baseball, but for the country as a whole.

Pirates Past Noon (Magic Tree House #4) by Mary Pope Osborne

Pirates Past Noon (Magic Tree House #4) by Mary Pope Osborne-67 pages

I read this previously, but I wanted to read it again for the monthly challenge. I enjoy Magic Tree House books and I enjoy stories involving pirates. In this book, Jack and Annie run into Cap'n Bones who is searching for Captain Kidd's lost treasure. They also find out who the mysterious M is (Morgan le Fay).

Dingoes at Dinnertime (Magic Tree House #20) by Mary Pope Osborne

Dingoes at Dinnertime (Magic Tree House #20) by Mary Pope Osborne-72 pages

Jack and Annie are whisked off to Australia to find the last gift to free Teddy, which is a gift from a kangaroo. They save a koala and a Joey (baby kangaroo) from a wildfire. They also meet emus, dingoes, and a kookaburra on their adventure. Jack and Annie return the Joey to its mom after the wildfire. I always enjoy reading a Magic Tree House book!

High Tide in Hawaii (Magic Tree House #28) by Mary Pope Osborne

High Tide in Hawaii (Magic Tree House #28) by Mary Pope Osborne-73 pages

I really enjoyed reading the Magic Tree House books when I was younger (and still do, honestly). They take readers to far away lands and to pivotal times in history. In this one, Jack and Annie are sent to Hawaii by Morgan Le Fay to build a special "ship" and find an everyday magic. Along the way, they meet and befriend Boka and Kama and go surfing. Also, Jack and Annie encounter an earthquake and a Tsunami and learn how to Hula dance. They also learn (as does the reader) that Hula was/is a form of storytelling and in ancient Hawaii there was no written language and, therefore, no books. I found this a joy to read. I enjoy when we do a children's books challenge for JCL Reads.

World at War, 1944 (Magic Tree House Super Edition #1) by Mary Pope Osborne

World at War, 1944 (Magic Tree House Super Edition #1) by Mary Pope Osborne-192 pages

Jack and Annie are taken back to France during WWII just before D-Day. Teddy tasks them with finding and rescuing Kathleen from a town near Normandy the day before the Allied invasion. Along the way, Jack and Annie overcome many obstacles and meet many people, both friend and foe. They learn about the French Resistance and the secret sign to tell if someone is friendly or not. I really enjoyed reading this book and all the other Magic Tree House books I read for this month's challenge.

Stallion by Starlight by Mary Pope Osborne

Stallion by Starlight by Mary Pope Osborne-120 pages

In this Magic Tree House adventure, Jack and Annie meet Alexander the Great of Macedonia before he becomes ruler. Merlin has tasked Jack and Annie with learning something of greatness from Alexander. They also meet Aristotle, who is in Macedonia tutoring Alexander at the request of Alexander's father, King Phillip the 2nd. This was a fairly fun read, although not as fun as many other Magic Tree House books I have read.

Abe Lincoln at Last! by Mary Pope Osborne

Abe Lincoln at Last! by Mary Pope Osborne-130 pages (Kindle Edition)

Jack and Annie meet Abraham Lincoln in this Magic Tree House adventure, along with his two sons Tad and Willie. The magic given to Jack and Annie by Teddy and Kathleen takes them back to when Lincoln was a boy in Indiana, which gives them an in when they need to meet him again later as President. Merlin has tasked Jack and Annie to give Abraham Lincoln hope by receiving a feather and giving the feather. I have really enjoyed reading the Magic Tree House books over again and plan to read two more before the end of the month (along with a few other books).

Leprechauns and Irish Folklore by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce

Leprechauns and Irish Folklore by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce-115 pages

This is the companion nonfiction book to Leprechaun in Late Winter. As I stated in my post on reading Leprechaun in Late Winter, I have long had an affinity for most things Irish. It was interesting to read about fairies and leprechauns and what the Celts believed and practiced in regards to them. In some instances, the Irish still build houses and building in a certain manner if a fairy path is believed to be on the property. Some Irish still believe in fairies and leprechauns, apparently. Fairies generally fit into two categories: solitary and trooping. Leprechauns are solitary fairies as they usually live alone. Overall, it was fun to read a bit more about Irish folklore and I really want to visit Ireland someday.

Leprechaun in Late Winter by Mary Pope Osborne

Leprechaun in Late Winter by Mary Pope Osborne-111 pages

Jack and Annie are taken back to Ireland in 1862 to inspire Miss Augusta (who later becomes Lady Gregory) to learn the Old Language (Irish Gaelic) and write Irish stories and folklore. I really enjoyed reading this because I have long had an affinity for Ireland and Irish (I want to visit someday and I have already been to Scotland and I enjoy watching The Quiet Man, Darby O'Gill and the Little People, and reading other stories of Ireland). The only small, wee issue I have is that some of the Irish characters use Aye instead of yes and, to my knowledge, Irish don't say Aye. Scottish use the word Aye in place of yes sometimes, but not Irish. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book.

A Good Night for Ghosts by Mary Pope Osborne

A Good Night for Ghosts by Mary Pope Osborne-112 pages

While reading this, I remembered reading this before and liking it a lot then. I like it just as much now. Jack and Annie are taken back to New Orleans on All Saints' Eve/Day in this Magic Tree House adventure. Their mission from Merlin, given by Teddy and Kathleen, is to persuade Louis Armstrong ("Dipper") to get on the path of playing jazz music so he can go on to become the "King of Jazz," like he does in reality. Along the way, Jack and Annie learn the value of hard work and learn a thing or two about racism in the Old South. Also, they have a run-in with the ghost of Jean Lafitte. It is a fun read, even now as an adult!

A Big Day for Baseball by Mary Pope Osborne

A Big Day for Baseball by Mary Pope Osborne-88 pages

Jack and Annie are taken to Ebbets Field, April 15, 1947 for opening day of baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers in this newest Magic Tree House adventure. This is the place and date Jackie Robinson made his MLB debut and he became the first African-American to play in the MLB. This was a fun read and Osborne brings an important event to life for kids (and adults).

Pilgrims by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce

Pilgrims by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce-120 pages

This is the companion nonfiction book to Thanksgiving on Thursday. I enjoy reading both nonfiction and historical fiction and it's cool that Osborne has written both in association with her Magic Tree House series. An interesting tidbit from the book is that Plymouth Rock is now (at the time of the book) 1/3 its original size and 800,000 people visit each year. The pilgrims may not have stepped foot on the rock, however. It is a fun legend, though. It is cool learning about what the original pilgrims endured, especially the first winter, and how they lived. It is also cool to read about some of the more famous pilgrims, such as William Bradford, Miles Standish (which is a pretty cool name), and Priscilla. I have distant ancestors who came over on the Mayflower, which is pretty cool.

Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborne

Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborne-73 pages

In this Magic Tree House story, back to 1621 and the first Thanksgiving is where Jack and Annie are taken. Squanto, Miles Standish, Priscilla, and Governor Bradford are there and Jack and Annie are tasked with helping the pilgrims prepare for the big feast and later get to partake in the feast before returning home to Frog Creek. As always, Osborne takes her characters to an important event in history and effectively dramatizes it. I am enjoying the Magic Tree House books.

Stage Fright on a Summer Night by Mary Pope Osborne

Stage Fright on a Summer Night by Mary Pope Osborne-70 pages

In this Magic Tree House adventure, Annie and Jack are whisked back to Old England (1600s) where they meet Will (William Shakespeare) and must find the first of four kinds of magic. Will is missing two actors for his play "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and Jack and Annie end up playing in place of the two missing actors. This is the first magic needed. It would be fun to meet William Shakespeare, especially because not much is known about his life outside of the plays he wrote.

Earthquake in the Early Morning by Mary Pope Osborne

Earthquake in the Early Morning by Mary Pope Osborne-72 pages

In this adventure, Jack and Annie are taken back to the Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake to find the last writing to help save Camelot. Once they find the writing, they are taken to Camelot by Morgan le Fay to cheer up King Arthur, who is somber because of a recent military defeat. I am really enjoying reading the Magic Tree House books (over again, for the most part).