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. 

Come Tumbling Down (Wayward Children #5) by Seanan McGuire

Come Tumbling Down (Wayward Children #5) by Seanan McGuire-208 pages

In this installment of the Wayward Children series, Jack and Jill Wolcott's story continues where it left off at the end of the second book (Down Among the Sticks and Bones). Jill and her Master storm the Windmill and kill Dr. Bleak and force Jack to trade bodies with Jill. Jack is shaken to her core by these events and travels back to Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children to solicit help for her and her love, Alexis. Kade, Sumi, Christopher, and Cora agree to go with Jack and Alexis to the Moors. Jack's plan is to switch bodies back with Jill and to kill her sister to restore balance to the Moors. She also wants to get Dr. Bleak's head back so she can attempt to resurrect him. Will she and her companions succeed? The balance of the Moors depends on it. Will her companions survive and return to Eleanor West's School? I liked this one just as I liked the others I've read so far. I rate it 4 stars out of 5. I am eager to continue reading (and finishing) this series. 

Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children, #2) by Seanan McGuire

 Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children, #2) by Seanan McGuire-187 pages

Jacqueline (Jack) and Jillian (Jill) Wolcott are raised by parents who didn't really want kids until they saw colleagues at work with kids. Chester (their dad) wanted a boy to show off to the male work colleagues. Serena (their mom) wanted a perfect daughter to show off to her female colleagues. They didn't know a thing about parenting. They end up having twin girls. They tried to mold Jillian into a tomboy and Jacqueline into the perfect, prim daughter. However, one day Jack and Jill venture to their Gemma Lou's old room (Gemma Lou/Grandma stayed and helped raise them until they were 5) they find a trunk that should be filled with dress up clothes. They're intrigued and surprised to find a staircase instead. Jack and Jill venture down the stairs into a new fantasy world with strange rules and people. They venture into the dark world of the Moors, which is full of danger. A vampire Master, a mad scientist, werewolves, and sea creatures abound. Jill is taken in by the Master and longs to be molded into a vampire. Jack is taken in by the mad scientist, Dr. Bleak. It's the story of Jack and Jill's adventure and how they came to be at Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children. I enjoyed this one just like the first and would give it 4 out of 5 stars. I am liking this series so far. 

Night of the Ninth Dragon (Magic Tree House #55) by Mary Pope Osborne

 Night of the Ninth Dragon (Magic Tree House #55) by Mary Pope Osborne-144 pages

Jack and Annie receive an urgent note telling them to return to Camelot. It isn't from Morgan Le Fay per usual, however. It is from Queen Guinevere of Camelot. King Arthur has been gravely wounded by invaders and Morgan, Merlin, Teddy, and Kathleen are all in Avalon. Avalon is one of the nine mystical realms of Camelot. It is where King Arthur must go to be healed. However, the ninth dragon was stolen by the invaders because it is made of gold. Jack and Annie are asked to help find it so that King Arthur can travel to Avalon and so that Morgan and the others can return from Avalon. I enjoyed reading this one just as I have all the others.

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!

Tigers at Twilight (Magic Tree House #19) by Mary Pope Osborne

Tigers at Twilight (Magic Tree House #19) by Mary Pope Osborne-72 pages

In this Magic Tree House adventure, Jack and Annie are whisked off to India to find another gift to free Teddy. In India, they meet elephants, langurs, a tiger, and a hermit in the Indian forest/jungle.

Buffalo Before Breakfast (Magic Tree House #18) by Mary Pope Osborne

Buffalo Before Breakfast (Magic Tree House #18) by Mary Pope Osborne-72 pages

I read this last year and enjoyed, so I wanted to read it again this year. Jack and Annie are taken back in time to the Great Plains and meet a Lakota boy named Black Hawk. He is a young warrior living with his grandmother. Black Hawk takes them to see a buffalo herd and tries to hunt buffalo on his own. It quickly turns into a stampede that they must escape from. I like that the reader learns about Native American, specifically Lakota, history and culture. One learns that the Lakota used the entire buffalo and didn't kill more than necessary. Unfortunately, white settlers and the U.S. Army overhunted for sport and spite and the buffalo nearly went extinct. I really like that these books take kids on an adventure while also learning "real" history.

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.

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.