abastone's review against another edition

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2.0

We got this series based on a friend's recommendation and it was spot on. My son DOES love it, but I don't. It's trite and the writing isn't particularly good. I love the concept and theme, but the application just isn't a winner for me. The issues:
--Grammar and syntax aren't up to snuff. I know they are books for kids, but still.
--The kids never change. We're already 10 books in and by book 2 we know that Annie is impulsive and Jack is thoughtful. When Annie's choices get them in trouble, nothing is learned. She's just as rash the next time. And Jack says wait, let's think about this... but never does.
--Jack takes a bunch of notes about really mundane facts. Why can't he take notes about something useful to develop that researcher/scientist angle?
--Morgan le Fay is from Camelot but speaks as if she is from the 21st century.
--Everyone (even the Japanese and Innuit) speak English.
--It seems like Osborne tries to add a lot of drama to areas that don't need them ("Then everything was still. Absolutely still." Really? Again? Got it, it's still.) and then sort of speeds over areas that may actually be dramatic (like sharks and thin ice, etc).

In summary, it's not literature. Everything is glossed over: character development, sentence structure, climax building, plot intrigue, thought-provoking situations... It's no Roald Dahl or CS Lewis or JK Rowling or...

But it is for him, aged 6 1/2, and that's why we got them. He doesn't pick up on any of these annoyances. Unfortunately, we're reading them to him, so we have to make it through all 40-something, repetitive stories. Then we can get back to the good stuff.

bethmitcham's review against another edition

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adventurous funny informative lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Wow, there is continuity 

sbrot's review

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adventurous informative lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

doreneemi's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Absolutely great books for  young readers! And a great way for me to practice Spanish.

robbynjreeve's review against another edition

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4.0

Genre(s): children's, science fiction, adventure
Theme(s): magic, time travel
Recommended for ages: 5+

Summary: Jack and Annie, two ordinary kids from Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, discover an amazing secret one day-a tree house filled with books that magically transport the readers to the pictures they're looking at.

Review: I loved these books as a young child and am now enjoying reading them to my own son. They're perfect for those just ready to begin listening to chapter books.

Recommended for fans of: The Boxcar Children series
If you loved this book then you should try.... The Castle in the Attic, My Father's Dragon, The Kingdom of Wrenly series

natwc's review against another edition

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5.0

I absolutely loved reading this series when I was growing up. This series was actually what got me to be the avid reader that I am today. I stopped reading the series avter Christmas in Camelot since I started getting interested in expanding my library. Today I had a hard time deciding what to read and then remembered the series. When I found out that Mrs. Osbourne has written over 40 books for this series I decided I would read the series again and keep reading it until the day she finishes it. Even though I'm almost 21 years old I still love this series and itbrings back a lot of my childhood memories :)

samofthepnw's review against another edition

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4.0

These are great to read with an early reader. We take turns reading the pages. And the story is suspenseful enough to keep a 7 year old turning the pages.

jenbsbooks's review against another edition

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4.0

My youngest (1st grade) is showing an interest in reading. This series always gets good reviews as a good "chapter" book starter. My older kids have read a few of them here and there but they never totally clicked (nothing much clicks with my boys). But #5 seems to be liking this reading stuff (yea!). We read the first three books together, then we decided he could read them on his own. He's basically been reading a book a day. I will usually still grab the book and quickly read it myself (it takes 10-15 minutes, and I find I actually don't mind reading these little stories) and then we "discuss" them (I do want to make sure he understands and can remember what he read. Comprehension has always been a problem with my boys).

These are great little books for kids. Every one has 10 chapters. They build on each other (which also introduces youngsters to the idea of a book series ... #5 has been reading these out of order which drives me CrAZy). Each book introduces the reader to a different time or location. Mostly easy words, although every book has a few challenges (they are almost always given pronunciation and explanations as part of the story though) so they are good learning tools as well as interesting reads.

I won't be putting all the Magic Tree House books I'm reading here *Ü*, but DID want to mention I have been reading them myself, along with my 1st grader.

readerturnedwriter's review against another edition

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5.0

I don't know how many times my kids will want to relisten to these, but every time I listen with them, I remember how well done are (for chapter books aimed at young kids).

loveat1stwrite's review against another edition

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5.0

So this will we a review of every Magic Tree House book EVER. I LOVED this series growing up. My life practically revolved around going to the library to get the next book! I stopped reading after #34 where they were coming out new and I had to wait forever for the library to get them and i was growing up and reading new things. I slowly forgot about this beloved series and was on to bigger and better things (Magic Tree house wasn't exactly a challenging read for any 5th-9th grader lol but the other day i tripped over a box in my basement. What was in the box? My old magic tree house books! I had the box set 1-4 and a couple other random numbers thrown in there.

I can't really remember what it was that had me so captivated by the books but I think it was because Jack and Annie were so different. Jack stuck to facts, was a total nerd, and needed to loosen up and have some fun. Annie needed to grow up a bit, she was funny, a tiny bit annoying and rushed into things sometimes, but the brother and sister pair balanced each other out. The books were cute, hilarious, factual, and made learning easy. Definitely something everyone should read in their childhood!!