Magic Tree House book 19, "Tigers at Twilight" is a thrilling adventure written by Mary Pope Osborne. The story revolves around Jack and Annie, two siblings who travel to different places and times using their magical treehouse. In this book, they find themselves in the jungles of India, where they embark on a quest to help a lost tiger cub find its way back to its family. As Jack and Annie explore the dense jungle, they encounter various wildlife and face many challenges. They rely on their wit and courage to navigate through the unknown territory. Along the way, they learn about the importance of teamwork, compassion, and respecting nature.
Books 9–16 of the New York Times bestselling Magic Tree House series!
Morgan, the magical librarian of Camelot, sends them to find the books in the ancient worlds of Roman Pompeii, imperial China, Dark Age Ireland, and classical Greece. Morgan, the magical librarian of Camelot, sends them to find the books in the ancient worlds of Roman Pompeii, imperial China, Dark Age Ireland, and classical Greece.
Along the way, they learn about the importance of teamwork, compassion, and respecting nature. The siblings also meet a wise monkey named Teddy, who becomes their guide and provides valuable insights on the culture and environment of India. With his help, they learn about the endangered Bengal tiger species and the threats they face due to habitat loss and poaching.
Book Reviews: An Unpopular Opinion about the Popular Magic Tree House Series
I am continuing my dive into popular and frequently requested series to better recommend them and better hold conversations with customers about them.
I never read The Magic Tree House as a younger person. My sister did. She read all of them that she could do. My friends, aged 30-26, have been excited when I’ve told them I’ve been reading this series.
But it’s unpopular opinion time! I have now read 12 of these novels, and I’ve decided that I just don’t like Jack—and I’m not sure that I like this series either.
My dislike for Jack is admittedly wrapped up in the appearance of people of color in these novels. It came to a head in the twelfth of these books when Jack, after disparaging the beliefs of an Inuit “seal hunter” (this man is only ever referred to as a seal hunter and never identified as Inuit), takes sacred masks from his home without permission. He later claims to have done so “accidentally,” but it seems a very willful act to “carefully put” the masks into his backpack. Later without being instructed in the way to respectfully do so, Jack and Annie (at Annie’s prompting) make up a prayer and dance to the Polar Bear Spirit whom they see in a mother polar bear who helps them escape from thin ice.
This isn’t the first time that I’ve disapproved of Jack’s interaction with or Osborne’s depiction particularly of the characters of color in this series. I was off-put too especially by the depiction of the silent, “noble,” “graceful” Masai warrior with whom the two share peanut butter and honey sandwiches when they land in the African savannah in the eleventh book. The people that the pair meet in the ghost town in the “Wild West” were a missed opportunity for inclusion, the Wild West being a Blacker, browner, and more queer place than it is imagined in American mythology (also if a horse still looks like a foal, please don’t try to sit on it, let alone ride it). The pair borrow from a Cro-Magnon family that they fear. The Japanese ninjas are depicted as historical rather than mythological as they were in Dragonbreath, even while far more drawing on the mythology of ninjas than on history. The Egyptians that they meet are a queen’s ghost and grave robbers. How all of these people speak English when Osborne wants them to do—and why the Masai man does not—is never explained.
Further, the pair frequently borrow, often without asking, essential items from the times and the places that they land: warm clothing, boots, a boat. Rarely are there consequences for their theft—
—”borrowed—borrowed without permission but with every intention” of leaving it someplace different in the same time and general area in which they land. They know enough at least not to take most items back to their own time and place of contemporary Pennsylvania.
But as a science-fiction reader and viewer, the lack of consequences for their time travel is a touch frustrating. My mind shouts about the time-space continuum as they interfere with the timeline without consideration or seeming consequence to themselves or to the future.
There is science and there is history wrapped up in these stories. I see the appeal. I admit that I learn a little, and I’ve been surprised by some of the detail included in this series for young readers (I had graduated college, I believe, before learning about the Cro-Magnon people), but more often than not they seem to rely on mythology and an impression of a place and time, a child’s view of a place and time born of other stories more than on history. There’s far more of fantasy adventure here than of fact. *I have not read more than a preview attached in several of the books of the corresponding Fact Trackers, which may clear up some of the mysticism and naïve impressions that pervade the novels.
Annie is possessed of a sort of magical innocence. She can talk to animals. She has an innate sense of which beings are there to help them on the journeys. She frequently feels surety where Jack feels fear. She is impulsive, but usually the impulsivity is rewarded because her instincts are driven by this innate understanding of a creature’s nature. Her instincts are to care and be cared for in return.
Annie bothers me less than does Jack. Annie at least seems to show more respect for the creatures and people that they meet in their travels. But still without Jack to ground her, I think I would find her naivety too saccharine.
The titular tree house belongs to Morgan le Fey, who in these tales appears as a magical librarian and is thwarted by Merlin. This reversal of the Arthurian tales intrigues me. It was at first jarring, but it makes me question why Morgan is reviled in Arthurian tales while Merlin is revered. I have not read enough of the source material (being more generally familiar from modern retellings and appearances) to know the answer to this. Perhaps Morgan was hated for good reason. Perhaps she was hated because she was a woman with power who did not yield to a male king.
The series seems to come in groups of four. The first four books are Jack and Annie discovering how to use the Magic Tree House and exploring places and time periods aimlessly. In books 5-8, Jack and Annie seek to rescue Morgan. In 9-12, the pair solve riddles in a challenge set by Morgan. Osborne does a good job of recapping previous books in these sets in successive books, so I stand by my assumption that it is possible to skip around in the series. Nevertheless there is more of order and a building, overarching plot to these books than I expected before reading them. Pay attention perhaps to each set of four.
I may continue reading this series, if only because I hope that they will get better over time as the books are published more recently and into more modern sentiments and because they are easy reads while I battle insomnia and because there are so many that if I continue to read them I will be spared having to choose another series for a long while. If my opinion changes with further books, I’ll be sure to let you know.
Have you read this series? Have you read it as a child or as an adult? I would love to hear others’ opinions on this series.
My favorite has been I think Book 9: Dolphins at Daybreak (where there are consequences, but they hurt no one with their actions) and after that probably Book 1: Dinosaurs Before Dark (dinosaurs, baby dinosaurs, naivety, accidental usage of the tree house’s magic). Do you have a favorite?
Osborne, Mary Pope. The Magic Tree House, Books 1-12. Illus. Sal Murdocca. Random, 2010 (Kindle editions). Originally published 1992-1998.
Intended audience: Ages 6-9.
Visit the series’ page for links to order, summaries, sample pages, and games.
This review is not endorsed by Mary Pope Osborne, Sal Murdocca, or Random House. It is an independent, honest review by a reader.
A Sidebar about Dragon Bite Books: If you’ve been with me a while, you’ll notice that this week Dragon Bite Books underwent a MAJOR remodel. There are things that I love about this new theme, and there are things that I miss from the old. If you’ve been with me for a while, I would love your input and comments on the new look. Do you prefer this or the old? Are there features of the old that you’d like to see on the new?
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These eight titles are the perfect gift for a Magic Tree House fan or any child who loves a good adventure. Parents, teachers, and librarians hail the chapter-book series as a tool to promote reading, as even the most reluctant readers want to know where the Magic Tree House will take the brother-and-sister team next.
In books 9–12, Morgan le Fay, the magical librarian of Camelot, challenges Jack and Annie to find the answers to four riddles. To do so, they must travel under the sea and to the Wild West, the African plains, and the frozen Arctic. It’s a difficult and dangerous task, but if Jack and Annie succeed, they will become Master Librarians! In books 13–16, Jack and Annie must save stories that have been lost in history. Morgan, the magical librarian of Camelot, sends them to find the books in the ancient worlds of Roman Pompeii, imperial China, Dark Age Ireland, and classical Greece. Will Jack and Annie be able to save the stories in their darkest hours . . . or will the books be lost forever?
Audiobooks in this set include: Dolphins at Daybreak (#9), Ghost Town at Sundown (#10), Lions at Lunchtime (#11), Polar Bears Past Bedtime (#12), Vacation Under the Volcano (#13), Day of the Dragon King (#14), Viking Ships at Sunrise (#15), and Hour of the Olympics (#16).
Throughout the book, the author beautifully describes the lush green landscapes, vivid wildlife, and vibrant traditions of India. Readers are transported to a different world as they join Jack and Annie on their magical journey. "Tigers at Twilight" is not only an exciting and educational adventure but also promotes important values such as empathy and environmental awareness. It encourages young readers to appreciate nature and wildlife and highlights the need to protect endangered species. Like other books in the Magic Tree House series, "Tigers at Twilight" combines elements of fantasy, history, and educational content. The story engages readers of all ages, providing an entertaining and enriching reading experience. Overall, Magic Tree House book 19, "Tigers at Twilight" is a captivating and educational tale that takes readers on a thrilling adventure through the jungles of India. With its blend of fantasy, history, and environmental themes, it is a must-read for fans of the series and anyone interested in exploring new worlds..
Reviews for "Solving Riddles in Magic Treehouse Book 19"
1. Jessica - 2 stars
I was really disappointed in "Magic Treehouse Book 19." The plot felt repetitive and predictable. It was essentially the same formula as the previous books in the series - Jack and Annie go on a mission, encounter difficulties, solve a problem, and return home. I was hoping for something fresh and exciting, but instead, I found myself skimming through pages. Additionally, the characters didn't show much growth or development, which made it hard for me to connect with them. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book if you're looking for something new and engaging.
2. John - 1 star
I found "Magic Treehouse Book 19" to be lacking in substance and depth. The story felt rushed and lacked any real conflict. Everything seemed too convenient and easy for the main characters, Jack and Annie. There was no real tension or sense of danger, which made it hard for me to stay engaged. Furthermore, the writing style felt simplistic and didn't offer much in terms of prose or descriptive language. Overall, this book felt like a quick cash grab rather than a well-crafted story. I was highly disappointed.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"Magic Treehouse Book 19" was a letdown for me. The plot felt repetitive and formulaic, with no real surprises or twists. Jack and Annie's adventures have become predictable, and I felt like I was just going through the motions while reading. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and didn't undergo any significant growth or development. It felt like a missed opportunity to explore more complex themes and emotions. Overall, if you're a fan of the series, you may enjoy this book, but I was left wanting more.
4. Michael - 3 stars
I have been a fan of the "Magic Treehouse" series for a while, but "Book 19" didn't live up to my expectations. While the story had its moments of adventure, it felt rushed and lacking in detail. Jack and Annie's missions now seem too predictable and don't offer any real surprises. Additionally, I found the writing style to be overly simplistic, which made it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, this book fell flat for me and didn't captivate my attention like previous installments in the series.