Magic Tree House #44: A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) [Hardcover]

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

Book Description

Release date: September 14, 2010 | Age Range: 6 - 9 years | Series: A Stepping Stone Book(TM) (Book 44) | Lexile Measure: 520L (What's this?)

Jack and Annie are ready for their next fantasy adventure in the bestselling middle-grade series—the Magic Tree House!

Jack and Annie’s mission from Merlin the Magician? To help the famous writer Charles Dickens! In a magical whirl, the brother and sister are whisked back in time to Victorian England and the foggy streets of London.

There, Jack and Annie discover that Charles Dickens has everything he could possibly want. How can they help him? It is not until Mr. Dickens rescues them from being thrown in jail that they discover his secret past and the sad memories that haunt him. They will need all their magic—and help from three ghosts—to keep the great writer from ruining his life!

Mary Pope Osborne mixes magic, humor, history, a little spookiness, and a lot of heart to create this tale, which celebrates the joys of writing—something she knows a lot about, thanks to millions of readers all over the world!

This is the perfect book for boys and girls about to see the classic play A Christmas Carol.

Visit the Magic Tree House Web site!
www.magictreehouse.com

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 2-4–During another “Merlin Mission,” Jack and Annie are sent back in time to Victorian England, where Charles Dickens is suffering from writer's angst and has vowed not to pen another book. After posing as chimney sweeps in order to gain entry to his house, the two children use magic to conjure up the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future in order to convince Dickens of the value of his work and to inspire him to write A Christmas Carol. Fans of the series won't be disappointed in this tale, which nicely combines action, atmosphere, magic, and bits of humor in a stepping-stone format.Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About the Author

MARY POPE OSBORNE is the author of the New York Times number one bestselling Magic Tree House series. She and her husband, writer Will Osborne (author of Magic Tree House: The Musical), live in northwestern Connecticut with their three dogs. Ms. Osborne is also the coauthor of the companion Magic Tree House Fact Trackers series with Will, and with her sister, Natalie Pope Boyce.

SAL MURDOCCA has illustrated more than 200 children's trade and text books. He is also a librettist for children's opera, a video artist, an avid runner, hiker, and bicyclist, and a teacher of children's illustration at the Parsons School of Design. Sal lives and works in New York with his wife, Nancy.

Product Details

• Age Range: 6 - 9 years
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (September 14, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375856528
• ISBN-13: 978-0375856525
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"I'm one of those very lucky people who absolutely loves what they do for a living. There is no career better suited to my eccentricities, strengths, and passions than that of a children's book author."--Mary Pope Osborne

Mary Pope Osborne is the author of the popular Magic Tree House series. She works with her husband Will and her sister Natalie on the nonfiction companion series, Magic Tree House Research Guides. Many of her books have been named to best-books lists.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

(What's this?)

#91 Overall (See top 100 authors)

#53 in Books > Teens

#88 in Books

#53 in Books > Teens

#88 in Books

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inviting! Liked the whole thing October 16, 2010

By W. S. Jones

Format:Hardcover

My nine year old daughter's review...

'This book called me in the book store! "Come read me, come read me!". I thought that it described how the ghosts came out really well. I also thought that it was a really good way to teach a lesson to kids by telling them that they shouldn't be greedy or selfish and should help others more; they should be kind and hospitable. My favorite part was when Charles Dickens was chatting with his fans in the restaurant at the end.'

I'll just add that she read it in one sitting, so I know she enjoyed it.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Adventure, magic and ghostly encounters November 20, 2010

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Hardcover

Another Magic Tree House title - #44 - by Mary Pope Osborne provides a satisfying holiday title in A GHOST TALE FOR CHRISTMAS TIME. Here Jack and Annie find their next task is to help famous writer Charles Dickens, and they are taken back in time to Victorian England London where they discover Dickens doesn't really need their help. Their discovery of his hidden sadness leads to adventure, magic and ghostly encounters in this latest fine addition to the popular series.

5.0 out of 5 stars Magic tree house books April 2, 2013

By Karima Milano

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book has interesting features. I can't believe that Mary pope Osbourne. It is awesome . I love it .