In the second of the "Merlin Missions"--hardback additions to Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Tree House series--plucky heroes Jack and Annie must once again must travel back in time to rescue Camelot from looming danger.
One wonders why Merlin can't handle this sort of thing himself, but then of course we wouldn't get a chance to see Jack and Annie have another seat-of-the-pants adventure, getting mixed up with shape-shifting magic, armies of birds, a puzzling gem of power, and all sorts of other trouble. With the help of their old pal Teddy (Morgan le Fay's apprentice, last seen in dog form in four earlier Tree House stories), the two "Master Librarians and Magicians of Everyday Magic" must solve the mystery behind a castle full of ghosts and a menacing army of ravens. Not surprisingly, half the trouble comes in unraveling Merlin's riddles and helping Teddy use his rhyming magic correctly.
Osborne doesn't challenge readers overmuch (including the constant restatement of plot elements, perhaps worried that kids might otherwise forget or lose interest) and many parts of the story barely convince (like Teddy's "period" dialogue, e.g., "'Tis cool indeed"), but fans of the Magic Tree House will no doubt love another installment. (Ages 6 to 9) --Paul Hughes
Book Description
The intrepid Jack and Annie are summoned once again to the fantasy realm of Camelot. There, Merlin the Magician tells them that the Stone of Destiny has been stolen. The answer to its disappearance lies within a haunted castle. With a young magician named Teddy, Jack and Annie take on the challenge in an adventure that takes them to new heights and places they couldn’t even imagine!
a Stepping Stone Book™
From the Inside Flap
The intrepid Jack and Annie are summoned once again to the fantasy realm of Camelot. There, Merlin the Magician tells them that the Stone of Destiny has been stolen. The answer to its disappearance lies within a haunted castle. With a young magician named Teddy, Jack and Annie take on the challenge in an adventure that takes them to new heights and places they couldn’t even imagine!
a Stepping Stone Book™
About the Author
Mary Pope Osborne is the author of all the Magic Tree House books, as well as American Tall Tales and New York’s Bravest for Knopf. The author lives in Goshen, CT.
Sal Murdocca has been illustrating and writing books for children for many years. He has illustrated every book in the Magic Tree House fiction series and the Magic Tree House Research Guide nonfiction companions. Sal and his wife Nancy are avid runners and have toured Europe on bicycles. He lives in Rockland County, NY.
Haunted Castle on Hallow's Eve (Magic Tree House Series #30) FROM OUR EDITORS
Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Tree House adventurers take their second Merlin-sent trip in this splendidly spooky Camelot tale. With the familiar, welcoming artwork from Sal Murdocca, Osborne's 30th entry takes Jack and Annie back to their old stomping ground to "bring order to the duke's castle." This time, the two kids are joined by Teddy -- Merlin's apprentice in Christmas in Camelot -- and after the three learn that the Raven King has swiped a legendary diamond from the duke's family (and made them invisible), they set out to get it back. With gently spine-tingling scenes and magical transformations to keep young readers on the edge of their chairs (Jack, Annie, and Teddy become ravens to rescue the diamond!), this MTH episode is one not to miss!
ANNOTATION
In their magic treehouse, Jack and Annie are again transported to King Arthur's realm, where invisible beings, giant ravens, and mistaken magic spells have a duke's castle in an uproar on Halloween night.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
The intrepid Jack and Annie are summoned once again to the fantasy realm of Camelot. There, Merlin the Magician tells them that the Stone of Destiny has been stolen. The answer to its disappearance lies within a haunted castle. With a young magician named Teddy, Jack and Annie take on the challenge in an adventure that takes them to new heights and places they couldn’t even imagine!
a Stepping Stone Book™
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Pat Williams
Once again, Annie and Jack are summoned by Merlin to the fantasy world of Camelot. He informs them that the Diamond of Destiny has been stolen and the answer to its disappearance lies within a haunted castle. Jack and Annie, with a young magician named Teddy, find the castle and discover that it is inhabited by four ghosts-a girl, twin boys, and a dog. The ghosts communicate to the three that the problem is the stolen diamond, that it must be retrieved, and that the Raven King has it. The children find and retrieve the diamond, revive the ghosts and their sleeping household, and give the Raven King what his heart most desires. All of these books fly off the shelves in our school library. 2003, Random House, Ages 6 to 8.
Art & Photography
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