The Ultimate Guide to the Magic Tree House Books in Order
Adventures Await: The Original Magic Tree House Series
Step into the enchanting world of the Magic Tree House, where siblings Jack and Annie embark on extraordinary adventures through time and space! These beloved books by Mary Pope Osborne have captivated young readers for decades, seamlessly blending historical fiction, science, and sheer imaginative storytelling. But with so many books in the series, knowing where to start – or how to continue the journey – can be a bit daunting. This ultimate guide will provide a complete list of the Magic Tree House books in order, helping young adventurers and their families navigate this magical library and ensuring the most enriching reading experience. Reading the Magic Tree House books in order isn’t just about ticking off titles; it’s about unlocking a deeper understanding of the characters, the recurring themes, and the grand narrative arc woven throughout the series. So, buckle up, grab your library card, and get ready for a whirlwind tour of the Magic Tree House books in order!
The foundational series, often referred to as the original Magic Tree House books, lays the groundwork for the incredible journeys that Jack and Annie will undertake. Spanning books one through fifty-four, this portion of the series introduces us to the core mechanics of their time-traveling tree house and their growing knowledge of history, science, and geography. The magic tree house itself, discovered in the woods of Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, serves as the portal to their exciting escapades. With each journey, Jack, the cautious and research-oriented older brother, diligently records their experiences in his notebook, while Annie, the adventurous and impulsive younger sister, fearlessly embraces the unknown.
These stories are perfect for early readers, often structured with short chapters and engaging illustrations that bring the historical settings to life. Each book typically focuses on a specific time period or location, with Jack and Annie facing a challenge that requires them to learn about the past or the natural world to find a solution. The Magic Tree House books are beloved for their educational value, introducing young readers to historical figures, scientific concepts, and diverse cultures in an accessible and entertaining manner. The stories spark curiosity and inspire children to learn more about the topics explored in each adventure. Let’s delve into the books and see what reading the Magic Tree House books in order entails.
Here’s a comprehensive list of the original Magic Tree House books in order:
Dinosaurs Before Dark
Jack and Annie’s first adventure takes them to the prehistoric world, where they encounter a Tyrannosaurus Rex and other fascinating creatures.
The Knight at Dawn
The siblings travel back to the medieval times and find themselves in a grand castle, encountering brave knights.
Mummies in the Morning
A trip to Ancient Egypt introduces them to mummies and hieroglyphics, and they get lost in a pyramid.
Pirates Past Noon
The high seas are the setting as Jack and Annie encounter ruthless pirates and search for buried treasure.
Night of the Ninjas
They journey to feudal Japan and learn about the stealthy art of ninjutsu.
Afternoon on the Amazon
The lush rainforest of the Amazon provides a backdrop for encounters with various jungle animals.
Sunset of the Sabertooth
They journey back to the Ice Age, where they meet cave people and encounter a sabertooth tiger.
Midnight on the Moon
A thrilling trip to the moon allows them to explore outer space and imagine future travels.
Dolphins at Daybreak
The underwater world of dolphins becomes their playground as they learn about marine life.
Ghost Town at Sundown
They venture to the Wild West and encounter cowboys and outlaws in a deserted town.
Lions at Lunchtime
The African savanna provides a thrilling adventure where they encounter lions and other wildlife.
Polar Bears Past Bedtime
A trip to the Arctic introduces them to the challenges of surviving in the freezing temperatures of the North Pole.
Vacation Under the Volcano
They journey back to ancient Pompeii before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Day of the Dragon King
Jack and Annie travel to ancient China and get caught up in a dangerous mission with a mysterious emperor.
Viking Ships at Sunrise
They explore the world of Viking seafarers during a voyage to Ireland.
Hour of the Olympics
The siblings travel to ancient Greece during the Olympic Games, learning about the history of the games.
Tonight on the Titanic
A poignant journey onto the Titanic just before its tragic sinking gives them a glimpse into history.
Buffalo Before Breakfast
The Great Plains in the time of the Native Americans and buffalo provide a historical journey.
Tigers at Twilight
Jack and Annie travel back to India and find themselves in a jungle full of tigers and other jungle animals.
Dingoes at Dinnertime
The Australian Outback becomes their destination where they study native Australian animals.
Civil War on Sunday
They get a glimpse of the American Civil War and its impact on ordinary people.
Revolutionary War on Wednesday
The American Revolution becomes the subject of their study during a journey in early American history.
Twister on Tuesday
They travel to the Great Plains during a fierce tornado and must learn about weather to survive.
Earthquake in the Early Morning
They visit San Francisco during the earthquake of nineteen-o-six.
Stage Fright on a Summer Night
Their journey takes them to Shakespeare’s London, where they experience theater during the Elizabethan era.
Good Morning, Gorillas!
The rainforests of Rwanda and gorillas in their native habitat are the focus of this adventure.
Thanksgiving on Thursday
The first Thanksgiving in early America provides a glimpse into a pivotal historical moment.
High Tide in Hawaii
They travel to Hawaii during a tsunami and learn about the power of the ocean.
Christmas in Camelot
Jack and Annie travel to Camelot during Christmas time and encounter knights and magic.
Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve
A spooky Halloween adventure finds them in a haunted castle, where they look for a special gift.
Summer of the Sea Serpent
They travel to Ireland and encounter the legendary sea serpent.
Winter of the Ice Wizard
Jack and Annie travel to a frozen wasteland to break a spell from an Ice Wizard.
Carnival at Candlelight
Jack and Annie travel to Venice, Italy during Carnevale, to help a composer find his music.
Season of the Sandstorms
Jack and Annie travel to the ancient Baghdad to save stories in danger of being lost.
Day of the Dolphin King
Jack and Annie travel to Ancient Greece to find the next story to save.
Viper’s Valley
Jack and Annie travel to India to find a rare flower and save another story.
Hour of the Bees
Jack and Annie visit Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, in 1938 to find a special person.
First Day of the Jungle
Jack and Annie find themselves in the rainforests of Sumatra, trying to save a Sumatran rhino.
Afternoon of the Elves
Jack and Annie travel to Ireland to receive a mission from the people of the Otherworld.
High Noon in the Wild West
The siblings travel to a desert in the United States to find a lost canyon.
Abe Lincoln at Last
A magic spell brings the real Abe Lincoln to Frog Creek, so Jack and Annie must help him get home.
Eve of the Emperor Penguin
Jack and Annie find themselves in Antarctica to learn about emperor penguins.
Moonlight on the Magic Flute
Annie and Jack help Mozart perform in Vienna, Austria.
A Good Night for Ghosts
Jack and Annie must help a kind ghost to find the magic potion he needs.
Leprechaun in Late Winter
Jack and Annie must save a story that has been lost for decades.
A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time
Jack and Annie meet Charles Dickens and are tasked with helping him rewrite A Christmas Carol.
A Crazy Day with Cobras
Jack and Annie travel to India to save a magical story from being lost.
Dogs in the Dead of Night
Jack and Annie travel back in time to help a St. Bernard puppy.
June Afternoon
Jack and Annie travel back to the American Revolution to save the American bald eagle.
Dark Day in the Deep Sea
Jack and Annie find themselves aboard the HMS Challenger as the ship discovers hundreds of ocean creatures.
Voyage to the Volcano
Annie and Jack travel back in time to find a famous writer from ancient Rome.
Fiji Mermaid
Jack and Annie travel back to Victorian London in 1842.
Mummies and Pyramids
Annie and Jack head back to ancient Egypt to help a dead queen find her way to the afterlife.
Shadow of the Shark
Jack and Annie find themselves underwater near the Galápagos Islands, where they are tasked with finding a missing underwater story.
Stepping Up: The Merlin Missions in Magic Tree House Books in Order
Beginning with book fifty-five, the series takes a new turn with the “Merlin Missions.” These stories, while still featuring Jack and Annie, delve into more complex plots, longer adventures, and richer fantasy elements. The reading level becomes slightly more challenging, suitable for children who have grown with the characters and are ready for more intricate narratives.
In the Merlin Missions, Jack and Annie become apprentices to the legendary wizard Merlin and his queen, Morgan le Fay. Their missions often involve finding ancient wisdom, solving riddles, and protecting magical artifacts. The stakes are higher, the journeys are more perilous, and the rewards are even greater. The adventures are less about experiencing history passively and more about actively participating in the fate of magical realms. Many parents feel that reading the Merlin Missions in order helps give children a deeper understanding of the more complex narrative.
Here’s a look at the Merlin Missions section of the Magic Tree House books in order:
Night of the New Magicians
Jack and Annie travel to Paris for the eighteen-eighty-nine World’s Fair to find the source of dark magic.
Narwhal on a Dark Night
The siblings travel to the Arctic to find a source of light in the endless arctic night.
Dark Day in the Desert
Jack and Annie travel to the desert to discover a lost library.
Eve of the Emperor Penguin
Jack and Annie meet emperor penguins in Antarctica.
Moonlight on the Magic Flute
The siblings travel back in time to meet Mozart in Vienna, Austria.
A Good Night for Ghosts
Jack and Annie must help a ghost find a magical potion.
Leprechaun in Late Winter
The siblings save a story lost in Ireland from long ago.
A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time
Jack and Annie rewrite *A Christmas Carol* with the help of Charles Dickens.
A Crazy Day with Cobras
The siblings travel to India to save a magical story from being lost forever.
Dogs in the Dead of Night
Jack and Annie save a St. Bernard dog by traveling to the past.
June Afternoon
The siblings journey to the American Revolution to save the American Bald Eagle.
Dark Day in the Deep Sea
The siblings travel to the Pacific on the HMS Challenger, a ship famous for its oceanography.
Voyage to the Volcano
Jack and Annie seek a famous Roman writer during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Fiji Mermaid
The siblings travel back to Victorian London to investigate an artifact.
Mummies and Pyramids
Jack and Annie find themselves in Egypt once more to help a dead queen find her way to the afterlife.
Shadow of the Shark
Annie and Jack travel to the Galápagos Islands to investigate a missing story.
Balto of the Blue Dogs
The siblings travel to Nome, Alaska, to help a dog race to deliver medicine during an epidemic.
Night of the Ninth Dragon
The siblings embark on an adventure in ancient China.
Dragons and Unicorns
The siblings travel to a world of dragons and unicorns to save the future.
Warriors in Winter
The siblings journey to ancient Japan.
To the Future, Ben Franklin!
The siblings save Ben Franklin from being trapped in time.
Christmas in Time
The siblings must save Christmas in the past.
Ancient Rome and Pompeii!
The siblings travel to ancient Rome.
When Angels Sing!
The siblings travel to different centuries to learn about the song “Silent Night.”
Newer Tales: Continuing the Adventures Through Time
The latest installments, sometimes referred to as Magic Tree House Adventures, continue the tradition of educational adventures, ensuring that the joy of discovery is kept alive with each new installment of the Magic Tree House books.
Here are the titles in this series of Magic Tree House books in order:
Dinosaurs on Parade
The siblings visit the Macy’s Day Parade in New York City.
Rags and Riches
The siblings visit Andrew Carnegie’s mansion in New York City to learn about his philanthropy.
Coming to America
The siblings meet with Nellie Bly on Ellis Island.
American Frontier
Jack and Annie travel back in time to help Theodore Roosevelt as a child.
Exploring Themes and Expanding Learning
The Magic Tree House series also offers fantastic opportunities to explore specific themes. For example, you could create a reading list focused solely on the dinosaur adventures or delve into the mysteries of ancient civilizations. There are even books to help children learn about space, the American Revolution, and so much more. Furthermore, parents and educators can utilize the Magic Tree House Fact Trackers, non-fiction companion books, to further enhance the learning experience. These companion volumes provide a more in-depth exploration of the historical, scientific, and cultural aspects presented in the fiction books.
More Than Just Stories: The Benefits of the Magic Tree House Series
The Magic Tree House series delivers so much more than simple entertainment. They help foster a love of reading, expand vocabulary, and boost reading comprehension. The educational themes woven through each story will expose children to different cultures, time periods, and scientific concepts, laying the groundwork for a lifelong love of learning.
Embark on Your Own Adventure Through Time
The Magic Tree House series offers an unforgettable journey through history, science, and the power of imagination. Following the Magic Tree House books in order will enhance the reading experience, allow children to track the growth of Jack and Annie, and build upon the knowledge gained in each adventure. So, grab your first book, climb aboard the magic tree house, and prepare to travel through time and space! Which book are you most excited to explore first? Let the adventure begin!