Rating: 
Summary: Good starter chapter book, suspensful, fast read
Review: A friend recommended this book series a while back and I happened to see it while away on a trip, in a bookstore. I chose the first book in the series because my recently-turned 5 year-old son is immersed in dinosaurs right now. It was a hit and took us through long car trip rides, (I was reading aloud as a passenger in the car).Both my 5 year old and my 2 year old enjoyed this book so much that I had to read it twice in a row and each time it is read aloud the request is to repeat it at least one more time. I think this is a good starter for the chapter book genre because the chapters are short and there are some good illustrations peppered throughout. Each reading takes about 20 minutes. There is some adventure and suspense in the story when the children come face to face with various dinosaurs and each time they feel they are in danger. There is a bit of suspense but nothing huge, whether your child gets scared is something I can't predict...it really depends on the child. Sometimes they dinosaurs end up being pleasant plant eaters but the Tyrannosaurus is a real threat but the children escape him and make it to safety. My kids found this an exciting suspenseful story and when I told my older son there are more books featuring the brother and sister, he became very excited. The content of the book is fully understandable to a four year old and up, I think the rating from the publisher of this being for 8-12 year olds must be for an assumed self-reading level. (I think my 2 year old also "got it" but who knows? The fact that he sits through this reading is still amazing me.) I can imagine that if children like this series that they would devour the entire series, which is presently up to number 27. I rate it four stars, as it is not stellar literature; it is a good story that the children enjoy. It is a fast read and exciting though. Especially for children reading this to themselves, any good-natured story that hooks them in and gets them reading is good stuff to me!...
Rating: 
Summary: Love the concept, but the grammar -- who editted this?
Review: After reading many of the reviews, I finally decided not to buy these books. However, I did borrow this one from our library. I was absolutely delighted by the concept. Even the sibling interchange is a good lesson in how people differ and interact, although I was not happy with Jack muttering, "I'm going to kill her." (I rather not have my child thinking it is okay to talk that way.)
About the grammar -- well, first let me say that I am reading this book to my three-year-old daughter, who can read some of the words, but even if she could read the book on her own, I would be reluctant to let her. SENTENCE FRAGMENTS ABOUND! There is one or more on nearly every page of this book!
Here are some excerpts:
There was a winding stream. A sloping hill. And volcanoes in the distance.
She fell into the grass. In full view of the Triceratops.
The duck-billed dinosaur followed her. Still bellowing.
He was walking on two big legs. And swinging a long thick tail. And dangling two tiny arms.
I suppose one could say it is artistic license or breaking it all down to small sentences in such ways would make it easier for young readers, but, being a homeschooling mom, I think it more important for a child to learn by reading proper grammar. Just removing the periods and adding the proper use of commas would have cleared up much of the problem!
If they ever revise the grammar of these books, I would buy them all in a heartbeat. . . and I honestly hope they do!
Rating: 
Summary: Mysterious, lots of facts about dinosaurs, scarry
Review: Annie is very annoying because she is 7 years old. Jack likes to learn the facts before jumping into things. My favorite part of the book was when Jack found the medallion with the big M on it because that is where the mystery begins. I read the book without putting it down.
Rating:
Summary: ANOTHER MAGIC TREE HOUSE BOOK READ INSTANTLY
Review: Another happy 7 year old reader on this one. Received and read on Christmas day, even with a new gameboy cartridge in the house. That should speak for itself. Very readable series for the age group.
Rating:
Summary: These books are a Godsend
Review: As a grandparent I am responsible for the education of five of my grandchildren and provide advice on the education of other children. One of my granddaughters managed to make it to third grade in the Huntsville school system without knowing how to read or knowing the alphabet. ( This is how I originally got involved.) She had straight As. There is nothing wrong with her except being cute and lively. Her teachers let her do whatever she wanted because she was so cute and sweet. I have spent from the third grade to the sixth grade trying to teach her to read using every technique under the sun. Nothing worked including hooked on phonics. Then I stumbled on the Magic Tree House series when she entered sixth grade. I started with book one and we have read about eight of the books. Yes, there is some repetition of Jack said Annie said. But she enjoyed the stories and stuck with it. We started in September and now she is bringing home sixth grade books and successfully reading them with a little help. Before she could not read three words in a row. She is now able to read her social studies book and her science book. The Magic Tree House series helps children make it over what appears to be a stumbling block for many: the transition from reading very simple kindergarden and first grade books to reading actual books with plots and real stories. Parents who are having problems in this department could do much worse than look to the Magic Tree House series.
Rating:
Summary: My 2nd grade son eats these books up.
Review: I agree with the other customer reviewers: something about this series of books appeals enough to 2nd grade readers that they will read them on their own -- and ask for more. I read one of the books to make sure it was suitable for my son and I found it remarkably lacking in substance -- I'm grateful I don't have to read them aloud! My 7-year-old son reads a Tree House book in one or two sittings and he doesn't balk when I ask him to read aloud to his 3-year-old brother. Now the 3-year-old is crazy for them, too, and carries the books around and quotes passages from them. All I can say is: I wish I had stumbled on this Osborne chick's gold mine first.
Rating:
Summary: Great intro to chapter books
Review: I bought this book for my 4 year old who is wild about dinosaurs. He loves being read to and needed something a little more advanced than picture books. This book was a great start because the subject matter was something he was interested in, he could easily comprehend what was being read, and it could be finished in one sitting. There were enough pictures in the book to maintain his interest. After reading this book, we have embarked on a new Magic Tree House adventure a day. My son looks forward to this time so much. Thank goodness the books are at the library! The books can be read by a parent in about a 30 minute sitting. I recorded Dinosaurs Before Dark on tape for my son to listen to any time since it is his favorite of the series so far. Also to extend the reading activity at home, we created a Cretaceous period dinosaur diorama. My son loves acting out the story with his own dinosaurs...
Rating:
Summary: great for beginning readers
Review: I bought this book originally for a 7 year old, but then my 4 year who was just getting into reading picked it up and started reading it. After that the 10 started reading it! There was a big battle over who got to read the book. I ended up buying the whole series. They read them on the way to school, on the way home, whenever there was time to pick up the book. All 3 kids loved it! I recommemd this book, and series highly!
Rating:
Summary: The Magic Tree House #1
Review: I happen to love these books. I read them to my seven year old son. He could probably read them to himself, but we enjoy spending the time together, and it gives him a chance to imagine the awesome setting that Osborne presents in each of her books. Each Magic Treehouse book takes the reader on a different adventure to a place where kids can learn about dinosaurs, pirates, mummies, and even ninjas. The list of places goes on because the Magic Treehouse has about 29 books to the collection. To start out I bought the first 3 to see if he liked them, and so far we have read one book each night. He was begging me to get all of the books in the series, so I had to go back to the book store last night and buy about 10 more!! I think I'll hold out and get him the rest for Christmas. These books are great for kids who are learning to read, and also those who are moving out of picture books. Like I said, it's fun reading and finding out what kind of mess that little Annie girl is going to get the pair into each time! I give this series a 10! Thanks Mary Pope Osborne for thinking of our kids.
Rating:
Summary: The Magic Treehouse Rules
Review: I happen to love these books. I read them to my seven year old son. He could probably read them to himself, but we enjoy spending the time together, and it gives him a chance to imagine the awesome setting that Osborne presents in each of her books. Each Magic Treehouse book takes the reader on a different adventure to a place where kids can learn about dinosaurs, pirates, mummies, and even ninjas. The list of places goes on because the Magic Treehouse has about 29 books to the collection. To start out I bought the first 3 to see if he liked them, and so far we have read one book each night. He was begging me to get all of the books in the series, so I had to go back to the book store last night and buy about 10 more!! I think I'll hold out and get him the rest for Christmas. These books are great for kids who are learning to read, and also those who are moving out of picture books. Like I said, it's fun reading and finding out what kind of mess that little Annie girl is going to get the pair into each time! I give this series a 10! Thanks Mary Pope Osborne for thinking of our kids.
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