Week 8

Week 8: Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne

Book Summary:

Jack and Annie discover their tree house is magical when it takes them back in time when dinosaurs roamed the earth. As they explore, Jack writes his observations about Pteranodon and Triceratops in his notebook. When they spot T-Rex, Pteranodon swoops down and carries them away to safety.

My Impressions:

Dinosaurs Before Dark is a great beginner chapter book and will appeal to dinosaur lovers. The story gives a new twist to tree houses, which have always had a magical element to them. The mysterious gold medallion had me hooked on the next book in the series. I loved the illustrations of the tree house as well.

Professional Review:

“It's been 20 years since Jack and Annie, the famous siblings in Mary Pope Osborne's award-winning "Magic Tree House" series (Random), burst on to the scene and inspired countless children around the globe to follow their time travel adventures.”

-Debra Whelan

Library Uses:

Invite a magician as a guest speaker to perform magic tricks. Display Magic Tree House books, The Garden of Abdul Gasazi and other books with magic themes.

References: 

Osborne, M. (1992). Magic tree house: dinosaurs before dark. New York, NY: Random

House.

Whelan, D. (2012, May 10). Magic tree house turns 20: SLJ speaks with Mary Pope

Osborne. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/ home/ 894422-312/magic_tree_house_turns_20.html.csp.