Customer Reviews

Monday with a Mad Genius (Magic Tree House, No. 38)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My son has always loved the Magic Tree House books, but he had a hard time getting excited about this latest book in the series. I read it myself afterwards, and I must say I agree with his lack of enthusiasm. Monday with a Mad Genius is a very, very educational book. Mary Pope Osborne has, as always, done impeccable research, and the details about the life of Leonardo da Vinci, everyday life in Florence, and Renaissance art are all great. A child can learn a lot from this book. It's not, however, very exciting literature. The pace is very slow (for example, Jack and Annie seem to spend an extraordinary amount of time in the marketplace, being told by a series of people: "Oh, Leonardo? He just left - I think he went that way..."). Some of the best Magic Tree House books, like Christmas in Camelot, have quite exciting plots and some literary qualities as well. In Monday with a Mad Genius, the interesting questions (why did Mona Lisa smile?) seem to drown in excessive historical details.

ary Pope Osborne's MONDAYS WITH A MAD GENIUS offers #38 in the 'Magic Tree House: A Merlin Mission' series. Here a mysterious message from Morgan le Fay, magical librarian of Camelot, involves two children the key to helping magician Merlin discovery joy in his life again. First they must journey to the magic tree house for 1500s Italy, and meet Leonardo da Vinci no prior familiarity with the series is required to make this a fun, inviting read.

My 7yr old adores these books, he can't get enough! I bought this particular book this afternoon and within 2 and a half hours or so he had already finished it and was asking for more! I love that he is engaging himself and fostering his love for reading AND that he is learning so much at the same time. Can't recommend this series enough!

I purchased this book for my grandson who loves the Magic Tree House series. He told me that he really enjoyed this book.

What a delightful experience you get with the Magic Tree House Books.
Go on a magic adventure with your kids and there imaginations.
Hands down winning by an easy victory for our Family!!!!!!!

Great book I use the series as a teaching tool in my classroom, so the students won't get bored.

He stated that he felt the book was very informative about leonardo di vinci and he recommends it as a good book to read. He says if you look in the back of the books it also gives you "fun facts".

A bother and sister travel back in time via a magic tree house. The plot varies about every four books to keep it interesting. They quite facutal as well as giving a childs perspectve to history. There are also fact books that go in more detail. My 7 year old daughter LOVES these books.

These CDs are amazing!! I use the Magic Tree House audio books during rest time, with my Preschoolers and Kindergarteners. They love them and I love the educational information that is interwoven into each story. They especially liked #38. My students have learned so much just from listening to these books!

As always, she really liked this Magic Tree House Book. She said it wasn't her favorite, but it was "pretty good."