Book Review - Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborne

Title: Thanksgiving on Thursday (Magic Tree House #27)
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 0-439-54013-5
Release Date: 2002
Pages: 93
Genre: Young Adult Chapter
Format: Paperback
Source: Loan from Nephew

Back Cover:

It’s a time for giving thanks….when the Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie back to 1621 on the first Thanksgiving Day. The Pilgrims ask them to help get things ready. But whether it’s cooking or clamming, Jack and Annie don’t know how to do anything the Pilgrim way. Will they ruin the holiday forever? Or will the feat go on?

My review:

Still reading along with my nephew. This time they meet Priscilla Mullins and John Alden. The first Thanksgiving was actually a celebration of a shared harvest with the Indians and the Pilgrams. The Indians were kind enough to teach the Pilgrims how to plant corn and pumpkins and how to catch the clams. The majority of the Pilgrims died during the first winter after landing, so this truly was a celebration.

Although Jack and Annie do make a mess of what they are asked to do they do go away with an appreciation of the hard work that it took working together to survive.

Book Review - High Tide In Hawaii (Magic Tree House #28) by Mary Pope Osborne

Title:  High Tide In Hawaii (Magic Tree House #28)

Author:  Mary Pope Osborne

Publisher: Scholastic

ISBN: 0-439-54014-3

Release Date: 2003

Pages: 96

Genre:  Young Adult Chapter

Format: Paperback

Source:  Nephew loan

Back cover:

Catch the Wave!

That’s what Jack and Annie do when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to a Hawaiian island of long ago.  They learn how to surf and have a great time – until strange things start happening.  Jack and Annie soon discover the cause: A tidal wave is  headed their way!  Can they help save their new friends in time?

My Review:  I love these stories reading along with my nephew this summer.  I like that there is always some historical or cultural aspect.  Here they Hawaiians are still living in traditional wasys.  While they are there they learn to surf  and hula.  The unthinkable happens when a tsunami comes along, but the quick modern thinking of the kids saves the day.

Book Review: Civil War on Sunday (Magic Tree House #21) by Mary Pope Osborne

Title: Civil War on Sunday (Magic Tree House #21)
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Publisher: A Stepping Stone Book (Random House)
ISBN: 0-679-99067-4
Release Date: 2000
Pages: 74
Genre: Young Reader
Format: Paperback
Source: Library

Back Cover:
Cannon Fire!

That’s what Jack and Annie hear when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to the time of the American Civil War. There they meet a famous nurse named Clara Barton and do their best to help wounded soldiers. It is their hardest journey into time yet – and the one that will make the most difference to their own lives!

My Review:
I love these books as much as my nephews. I think the most wonderful thing is that for most of the stories there is some historical influence in the story. Here the children meet Clara Barton and she teaches them about how she took care of all soldiers both North and South.

I always find it that to read a book when younger about history will eventually click when it’s time to study some of these things in school. I always like to read stories that had some truth to them.

October 2010 Wrap-up 74 down and 26+ to Go

Books Read and Reviewed(*):

Read:
Moon River and Me by Andy Williams (Audio)
February Friend (Calendar Mysteries #2) by Ron Roy
The Indiana Caper by Dallas Releford
The Absent Author by Ron Roy (Audio)
The Knight at Dawn (Magic Tree House #2) by Mary Pope Osborne
The Bald Bandit by Ron Roy (Audio)
The Canary Caper by Ron Roy (Audio)
The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber (Audio)

Reviewed
February Friend (Calendar Mysteries #2) by Ron Roy
Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Tree House #1) by Mary Pope Osborne
The Twenty One Balloons by William Pene Du Bois (Audio)
April Adventure by Rob Roy

Book Review - Dinosaurs Before Dark - Mary Pope Osborne

Title: Dinosaurs Before Dark (Magic Tree House #1)
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Genre: Young Adult

Challenges: To Be Continued…Challenge, 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, Read and Review Challenge 2010, 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge, 100 + Reading Challenge, Young Adult Reading Challenge, YA Through the Decades, 1st In A Series, Pages Read 2010, A to Z challenge, What An Animal III Challenge

Rating: 4/5
No. of Pages: 69
Published: 1992


Back Cover: Where did the tree house come from? Before Jack and Annie can find out, the mysterious tree house whisks them back to the prehistoric past. Now they have to figure out how to get home. Can they do it before dark…or will they become a dinosaur’s dinner?

Mine: (I try to read some of the same books as my nephews ) This is one of my nephew’s favorite series and I can see why. This is wonderful for your imagination, but also has a little history thrown in. I can’t say I’m thrilled with dinosaurs, but this actually gives a wonderful introduction to them.