Best Magic Tree House books

The Magic Tree House books are undoubtedly one of the most famous children’s book collections of all time. The series, written by American author Mary Pope Osborne, has 37 books and counting.

Here, you’ll find our top recommendations from the series and the adventures that inspired the author to write the most beloved stories.

A selection of the best books from the Magic Tree House series

Every Magic Tree House book is a fantastic first-time read, full of fun and adventure, for children between 6 and 8 years old. Here are our top recommendations from the series:

Dinosaurs Before Dark

Dinosaurs Before Dark is the first book of the series. Jack and Annie go to the tree house for the first time. They find a book about dinosaurs and wish they could see a pteranodon.

It turns out the tree house has the power to permit time travel, and they suddenly find themselves in the Cretaceous period. They have the chance to see first-hand many prehistoric creatures.

When they find a gold medallion, they realize they are not the first humans there. It is such an adventure that they promise to return to the tree house the following day.

Mummies in the Morning

In this story, Jack and Annie travel to ancient Egypt, where they meet the Queen of the Nile’s ghost. She needs their help to find her lost Book of the Dead.

Her mummified body has been for a thousand years inside the pyramid. But if she finds the book, she can pass into the next life.

The Knight at Dawn

Much to Jack’s discontent, Anne wishes to see an armor-clad knight. Her wish takes them to a medieval castle.

It’s feast night, and they want to stay and try the feathered peacock. However, they are imprisoned in a dungeon. Could the knight help them escape?

Pirates Past Noon

Jack and Annie visit a Caribbean island where Cap’n Bones and his crew capture them. They want the kids to decode a treasure map, but the two try to escape the island.

In this book, they meet Camelot’s resident enchantress, Morgan Le Fay. They discover she is the creator of the magic tree house.

Night of the Ninjas

Jack and Annie go to ancient Japan, where they meet a ninja. They think it will be a fun and safe adventure. However, some evil samurai could hurt them.

They need to learn as many secrets of the ninja as they can to escape.

Midnight on the Moon

Jack and Annie are looking for what could free Morgan from her curse. Their quest takes them to the most unthinkable place they’ve been—the moon.

They may not know much about space, but they must return before their tank oxygen runs out.

Dolphins at Daybreak

In this installment, the magic tree house takes Jack and Annie to the middle of the ocean. Lucky for them, they find a submarine.

This doesn’t mean that there won’t be any danger, though. They still have to face a giant octopus and a hungry shark that could kill them.

Tonight on the Titanic

Jack and Annie’s magical trip takes them aboard a fancy boat. Unfortunately, it’s the Titanic.

According to their research, the book will sink in two hours. They need to do something to convince the passengers that tragedy is about to strike.

Good Day on the Amazon

Jack and Annie get lost in the Amazon, one of the most expansive jungles on the planet.

They need to find a way back to the magic tree house before encountering some of the deadly creatures that live there.

Sunset of the Sabertooth

On this adventure, Jack and Annie go back to the ice age. They normally would have no problem with the cold, except they are wearing bathing suits.

Another problem is the creatures they encounter that could hurt them, like tigers, mammoths… and wizards.

Lions at Lunchtime

They go to Africa, where they encounter many large animals that are less than friendly.

They may think a hungry lion is their biggest problem, but they come across an even more formidable opponent—the Maasai warrior.

Polar Bears Past Bedtime

In every adventure Jack and Annie share, they have the mission to get a piece of the puzzle that will give them control of the library.

They need to find the last piece at the North Pole in this installment. They are already familiar with the ice age. However, they must be careful of the polar bears, seals, and icebreakers this time.

Vacation Under the Volcano

Jack and Annie’s adventures always include some kind of dangerous situation, and Vacation Under the Volcano is no exception.

They go to Rome on the same day a volcano destroys it. They need to find the city library before everything burns down.

Buffalo Before Breakfast

The magic tree house takes Jack, Annie, Teddy, and the enchanted dog 200 years back to the Great Plains.

They meet a Lakota boy who will teach them how to hunt buffalo. Suddenly something goes wrong, and they have to find a way to stop a buffalo stampede.

Day of the Dragon King

Jack and Annie go to ancient China, where they find an emperor named Dragon King. He has ordered his soldiers to burn all books.

Jack and Annie must do something fast to save at least one book.

Hour of the Olympics

When Jack and Annie arrive in ancient Greece, they discover girls are not allowed in the Olympics games.

Annie tells Jack to go alone, but he suspects she has a plan to see the games.

Viking Ships at Sunrise

Ancient Ireland is where the magic tree house takes Jack and Annie in this installment.

They will need a lot of courage and a Viking invasion to find the story they are looking for.

Twister On Tuesday

The two siblings are whisked to the 1870s to a schoolhouse in a prairie. They meet a schoolteacher and some cool students.

They think they’re going to have some classroom adventures. However, a danger is coming that just might blow them away.

Ghost Town At Sundown

In Ghost Town at Sundown, Jack and Annie go to the wild west. They try to discover if the town is hunted as well as solve the next riddle.

But before they do, they find themselves immersed in an adventure that includes a lost colt, rattlesnakes, horse thieves, and a cowboy named Slim.

High Tide in Hawaii

Jack and Annie go to ancient Hawaii, where they befriend two kids who teach them to surf.

Suddenly Jack notices there’s a tsunami coming. They need to do something before it hits them.

Dingoes at Dinnertime

In this installment of the series, Jack and Annie team up with Teddy, Morgan’s apprentice who helps them with magic.

They travel to Australia and befriend a kangaroo and its joey. Suddenly, there’s a wildfire, and they need to escape. Luckily for them, Teddy uses his magical gifts to save the day.

About the author

Mary Pope Osborne is the American author of hundreds of children’s books.

With her military family, Mary used to travel from one place to the other. This provided her with the sense of adventure she still enjoys.

The Magic Tree House is a box-set collection of 37 books with covers illustrated by Sal Murdocca. Osborne also published the Magic Tree House Merlin Missions subseries, a collection of 27 books. The original books are now being adapted into graphic novels.

The author also wrote the Magic Tree House Fact Trackers, a non-fiction companion book, to expand on the topics from the book series.

Series overview

From the first book of the collection, published in 1992, the Magic Tree House has become a bestselling chapter book series.

These books are popular among kids because they explore endless topics, piquing their curiosity and love of reading.

The books are full of illustrations and simple dialogue. While Mary Pope Osborne wrote these books for children aged 6 to 8, parents can read aloud these fantastic stories to younger children.

Young readers love Annie and Jack’s adventures.

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FAQ

What age is appropriate for Magic Tree House books?

The recommended age to start reading Magic Tree House books is 6 to 8.

What grade level is Magic Tree House?

The grade level of the books is first through fourth grade.

How many books are in the Magic Tree House series 2022?

There are 37 books in the original Magic Tree House series.

Is Magic Tree House series still ongoing?

There’s no confirmed date for a new Magic Tree House book. But it’s not been confirmed either that the series has ended.

What is the name of the first book in the Magic Tree House series?

The first book, Dinosaurs Before Dark, was published in 1992.

What is the name of the most recent book in the series?

The last installment, Rhinos at Recess, was published by Random House in 2022.