Magic Tree House #39: Dark Day in the Deep Sea (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) (Library Binding)

by Mary Pope Osborne (Author), Sal Murdocca (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Jack and Annie continue their quest for the secrets of happiness–secrets they need if they’re going to save Merlin. But when the magic tree house leads them to a tiny deserted island in the middle of the ocean, they’re not sure who needs help more–Merlin or themselves! The brother and sister team are soon rescued by a ship of explorers and scientists. But the crew isn’t looking for the secrets of happiness. The crew is looking for . . . a sea monster!


From the Hardcover edition.

About the Author
Mary Pope Osborne is the author of all the Magic Tree House books.

Sal Murdocca has illustrated over 200 children’s trade and text books.


From the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Library Binding: 128 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (March 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375937315
• ISBN-13: 978-0375937316
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #138,115 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great kids' adventure series, April 9, 2008

By	R. Bronsink "Cohen the barbarian" (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Magic Tree House #39: Dark Day in the Deep Sea (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) (Hardcover)

OK, I'm not reviewing this for myself, although I do enjoy the concept and the stories, but for my (nearly) six year old grandson. He simply adores this series by Mary Pope Osborne...except...at the start of each adventure, when the tree house moves and then stops...when it says..."then everything was still...absolutely still"...anyone remember Abbott and Costello's "slowly I turn, step by step..."?
He just plain squeals when anyone either reads him that part or just starts the quotation (he loves it, though!)
The series shows great imagination (if you can "get over" the part where "magic" is involved. Sometimes I think we lose sight of the fact that magic is simply a storyteller's device to see a different angle of the story or to introduce elements that are more imaginary. If you believe it exists, it does...if you don't, it doesn't) and helps kids to come to grips with cooperation and a bit of self sacrifice, as well as helpfulness. (I don't know about you, but I struggle with that myself, and for our current generation of kids, they need all the help they can get!)
And, quite frankly, I bought it for the grandson because of the Octopus on the cover. He is enamored of this particular sea creature, and the story did not disappoint. (although we have read over 20 of the rest of the series as well, and he only found fault with one that I can remember, and I can't recall which title that was...)
As soon as his mom had read him this one (it was a birthday present), he wanted it read to him again, and that to me says that it hit the right note with him.
The "Magic Tree House" series is a grand adventure for all concerned. It enthralls the younger readers (or being read to), and is a joy for the parents to read to their children or grandchildren. Covering all sorts of adventure and relationship topics, as well as great brother-sister dialogue, it's just plain fun!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, October 31, 2008

By	Betty Filby - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Magic Tree House #39: Dark Day in the Deep Sea (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) (Hardcover)

My son loves all of the Tree House Books.
They just keep getting better & better!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stories for Children Magazine 5 Star Review, August 11, 2008

By	V. S. Grenier "Stories for Children Magazine ... (Ivins, Utah USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Magic Tree House #39: Dark Day in the Deep Sea (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) (Hardcover)

REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker
The latest "Magic Tree House" book (#39) is now out. This time Jack and Annie are whisked back to the 1870s in the South Pacific to join the crew of the HMS Challenger on their scientific exploration of the dark depths of the ocean. They get to meet some real historical characters, such as scientist Henry Moseley and Professor Charles Wyville Thomson. From 1872 to 1876, the Challenger sailed nearly 70,000 miles around the world and found more than 4,000 new species of sea life. However, will Jack and Annie survive a raging storm at sea and the tentacles of a giant octopus to get back to Frog Creek, PA, with their new secret of happiness for Merlin?

We have been reading the Magic Tree House books since they first came out, and both of our boys have enjoyed them. What I like about them is that a lot of history and a good deal of geography, along with a little bit of traditional myth and legend, are included in a fictional story that appeals to children. So the books are educational, but they are also fun! While some of Jack and Annie's dialogue is a little stilted, for the most part these books do not talk down to children but challenge both their thinking and their vocabulary.